Recipe: Irish Oats & Whole Wheat Pancakes

1/2 cup Irish (aka steel-cut) oats
3/4 cup boiling water
1/3 - 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
2 Tbsp sugar (or Stevia sugar substitute)
1 egg
1 Tbsp melted butter
dried fruit or fresh berries (optional)

First, combine the oats and the boiling water in a bowl, then go have a cup of coffee.  It needs to soak for at least 10 minutes (20 wouldn't hurt anything).   As this cools, mix the dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar) in another bowl.  After the oats have cooled, add the egg and butter to them, and mix well.  Add the dry ingredients to the wet, and mix by hand for about 15 seconds -- only until everything is incorporated.

Heat a griddle or heavy skillet over medium heat until a drop of water dances on the surface when put onto it.  You may need to lightly oil the cooking surface, depending on what you're using.  One the cooking surface is hot, add about 1/3 cup of the batter onto the center of the pan.  If adding dried fruit or berries, sprinkle lightly onto the top of the batter at this time.  Cook for about 2 minutes, or until the edges of the pancake start to dry and are set.  Bubbles that pop near the edges should stay "open" and not be immediately filled with batter.  Flip and cook for another 2-3 minutes on the other side.  Repeat until you run out of batter.

Serve hot, preferably with real maple syrup.