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The Value of Family Traditions

Traditions; they reinforce who we are, where we came from, and bind us together by a common, shared experience. The official dictionary definition of tradition reads, “The transmission of customs or beliefs from generation to generation; the handing down of statements, beliefs, legends, customs, information, etc., from generation to generation, especially by word of mouth or by practice.”

Why Do We Have Family Traditions?

What are some of your favorite family traditions? Maybe you always have family game night on the first Saturday of every month? Do you open one gift under the tree on Christmas Eve every year? Do you usher in summer with a Memorial Day road trip? Do you gather on New Year’s Eve to watch the celebration in Times Square? Is there a special family recipe for a dish you only make on special occasions?

No matter what your family traditions may be, they help knit your family members together by sharing events or activities that you can enjoy and remember fondly from year to year and pass down to your children or grandchildren.

Family Traditions Strengthen Families

Family traditions help new family members, also. When someone new enters the family, learning and participating in family traditions helps the new member gain a deeper appreciation and understanding of their family and feel like a part of the whole, rather than an outsider. Family traditions help the family embrace the new member and offer a sense of inclusion.

At the Original Pancake House Denver, we understand the value of maintaining family traditions. We celebrate tradition every day with the breakfast food we serve our customers; food that is steeped in tradition, culture, family – and made with love. Although love is the true tie that binds family members together, traditions help reinforce, strengthen, and express that familial love in a concrete way. Family traditions are something the younger members can learn from and look forward to, and something the older family members can enjoy passing down to the next generation to help give them a sense of family, culture, and history.

Build a Family Tradition with The Original Pancake House Denver

Why not start a delicious family tradition of gathering around a table for a hearty meal born from our family traditions at The Original Pancake House Denver? With two locations in the Denver area at Cherry Hills or Denver Tech Center, your family can experience the homemade goodness that makes breakfast at America’s finest pancake house a great idea any day of the week. We look forward to becoming one of your family traditions. Tradition is delicious!

by OPHD1996

What Is Sourdough Starter?

Love that wonderful smell of bread baking in your kitchen or the neighborhood bakery? You know what I’m talking about. We get to smell it every day when we pop the top off our sourdough starter barrel to infuse our pancake batters with their special ingredient.

What is sourdough starter? Simply stated, our sourdough starter is a combination of potato yeast, flour and sugar which we ferment for seven days into an alcoholic compound that’s been the secret ingredient in our pancakes for over 50 years. Do we have to do it?  Of course not. Doesn’t everybody do it?  Not anymore.  It’s a tradition we keep alive because it quite simply makes the best pancakes you can find.

We make sourdough starter in our own kitchen two or three times a week. It’s a product that must be supervised and tested throughout every step of its long process. We then add it to all our batters that contain buttermilk as the base. The finished batter then is used to create our beautifully light, fluffy, flavorful pancakes. We also use it to create our mouthwatering Sourdough Flap Jacks.

Why We Use Sourdough Starter

The fermentation process provides better flavor.  The souring of grains has been practiced for generations and makes familiar foods taste better than their non-fermented counterparts. Sourdough starter also actually boosts the flavors of toppings – namely natural fats and sweeteners – you like to add to your finished pancakes.  It’s this sweet – rich – tangy flavor combination that makes our pancakes simply irresistible.

The fermentation process breaks down the fibers in whole grain flour.  This process helps our pancakes attain their light, fluffy, delectable texture customers have come to love.  It also makes grains easier to digest since the fiber is broken down before it even enters your digestive system.  So as a prebiotic, sourdough starter helps support a healthy gut.

The fermentation process enhances the vitamin content of food. This is most generally seen with B vitamins, as fermentation often increases or imparts B vitamins beyond what the raw food being fermented naturally contains (source).

Sourdough became extremely popular in San Francisco during the Gold Rush in 1849 when miners were known to carry the starter in pouches on their bodies to protect this precious commodity from freezing. California Klondike miners were even given the nickname “sourdoughs” because of their fondness for the bread. Known for its uniquely sour, tangy taste and chewiness, San Francisco sourdough bread can still be purchased at Boudin Bakery, originally opened at the height of the Gold Rush in 1849.  Our own traditional, plate sized 49’er Flap Jacks are a tribute to this tradition near our roots in Oregon.

Enjoy Some Sourdough Pancakes at The Original Pancake House Denver!

Have we made you crave some of our irresistible sourdough infused buttermilk pancakes yet? When you need a delicious homemade breakfast made from scratch to start your day off right, stop by and enjoy a meal at The Original Pancake House.  With two Denver area locations – Cherry Hills or Denver Tech Center – you can experience the wholesome goodness that makes breakfast at America’s finest pancake house a great idea any day of the week from 6:00 am to 2:00 pm. We look forward to welcoming you!

by OPHD1996

4 Quick, Easy, and Healthy Breakfast Recipes

Breakfast…it’s the meal that starts our day, the meal we look forward to, and the meal we love so much that we even eat it for lunch and dinner at times. But, because it’s usually the first meal of the day, it can also be the one we rush through as we try to get out the door in time. If this sounds like you, we’d like to offer you some suggestions for quick and easy, healthy breakfasts.

Crock Pot Sausage and Egg Casserole Recipe

Breakfast casserole. This is a super simple, easy to make, healthy breakfast option you can make ahead. By making this casserole on a Sunday night and cutting it into pieces, you can have a healthy breakfast to go at your fingertips for several days in a row. You can even put the ingredients in your crock pot if it’s programmable, and let this casserole cook overnight. (If not, you can still use the crock pot, refrigerate the casserole when it’s done and reheat your portions in the morning.) Here’s a simple recipe to get you started:

Ingredients:

• 1 medium head broccoli chopped
• 1 12- oz package Jones Dairy Farm Little Links cooked and sliced
• 1 cup shredded Cheddar divided
• 10 eggs
• 3/4 cup whipping cream
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp pepper

Directions:

1. Grease the ceramic interior of a 6 quart slow cooker well.
2. Layer one half of the broccoli, half of the sausage and half of the cheese into the slow cooker. Repeat with remaining broccoli, sausage and cheese.
3. In a large bowl, whisk eggs, whipping cream, garlic, salt and pepper until well combined. Pour over layered ingredients.
4. Cover and cook on low for 4 to 5 hours or high for 2 to 3 hours, until browned on the edges and set in the center.

Eggy Muffins to Go Recipe

Here’s another variation of the egg casserole idea, using spinach or another favorite vegetable instead of broccoli and your muffin tin instead of your crock pot. Personalize these eggy muffins by switching up the ingredients – instead of bacon, use ground beef or ground turkey, or replace the spinach with another favorite veggie like mushrooms. Any way you make them, these little eggy breakfast muffins are a great answer to how to have a quick and easy, healthy breakfast.

Ingredients:

• Cooking spray or paper liners
• 6 eggs
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1/2 cup cooked chopped spinach excess water removed
• 1/3 cup crumbled cooked bacon
• 1/3 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Coat 6 muffin cups with cooking spray or line with paper liners.
2. Crack eggs into a large bowl. Use a hand blender or whisk to blend the eggs until smooth.
3. Add spinach, bacon and cheese to egg mixture and stir to combine.
4. Divide the egg mixture among the 6 muffin cups.
5. Bake for 15-18 minutes or until the eggs are set.
6. Serve immediately or store in the refrigerator until ready to eat.

No-bake Breakfast Granola Bars Recipe

If eggs aren’t your thing, here’s a great recipe for healthy homemade granola bars you’ll love for breakfast.

Ingredients:

• 1heaping cup packed dates (pitted)
• 1/4cup maple syrup, honey, or agave nectar
• 1/4cup creamy salted natural peanut butter or almond butter
• 1cup roasted unsalted almonds (loosely chopped)
• 1 1/2cups rolled oats
• Chocolate chips, dried fruit, nuts, banana chips, vanilla, cinnamon to taste

Directions:

1. Process dates in a food processor until only small bits remain. It should form a dough-like consistency. If your dates are not sticky and moist, soak them in water for 10 minutes and drain before processing.
2. Optional:Toast your oats (and almonds if raw) in a 350-degree F oven for 10-15 minutes or until slightly golden brown.
3. Place oats, almonds and dates in a large mixing bowl and set aside.
4. Warm honey and peanut butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir and pour over oat mixture and then mix, breaking up the dates to disperse throughout.
5. Once thoroughly mixed, transfer to an 8x8-inch baking dish or other small pan lined with plastic wrap or parchment paper so they lift out easily.
6. Press down firmly until uniformly flattened using something flat like a drinking glass to pack down the bars, which will help them hold together.
7. Cover with parchment or plastic wrap and let the bars firm up in fridge or freezer for 15-20 minutes.
8. Remove bars from pan and cut into 9 squares. Store in an airtight container for a few days.

Overnight Oats Recipe

This make-ahead breakfast takes advantage of antioxidant rich blueberries and healthy oats. Make ahead and eat cold or heat in the microwave if you prefer this delicious dish warm. Prep time is just five minutes, but this meal processes in the fridge overnight, hence the name!

Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup oats (gluten free or regular)
• ½ cup almond milk (I used Silk Original Light)
• 1 teaspoon chia seeds
• ½ tablespoon maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons slivered almonds
• ½ medium banana, sliced
• 1/3 cup blueberries

Directions:

1. In an airtight container, mix oats, almond milk, chia seeds, maple syrup, and vanilla.
2. Seal the container and place in the fridge overnight.
3. In the morning, stir oats and top with slivered almonds, sliced banana, and blueberries.
4. Grab and go or pop in the microwave for 60 to 90 seconds if you prefer a warm breakfast.

After a busy week, treat yourself to a savory meal at The Original Pancake House. Let us make you breakfast at one of our Denver locations at Cherry Hills or Denver Tech Center. Unwind and enjoy the taste of our homemade recipes any day of the week from 6:00 am to 2:00 pm. We look forward to welcoming you and your family!

by OPHD1996

Sinkiang Cinnamon

Ah, cinnamon! This warm, aromatic spice has been used as an ingredient in foods since ancient Egyptian times when it was rare, valuable, and often used as a gift for kings. Cinnamon has long been prized not only for its wonderful taste, but also for its medicinal properties. The health benefits of this very popular spice, made from the inner bark of trees, come from the compound cinnamaldehyde, and include:

• More antioxidants than “superfoods” garlic and oregano
• Anti-inflammatory properties to help lower risk of disease
• Can lower cholesterol, triglycerides and blood pressure
• Helps fight insulin resistance
• Lowers fasting blood sugar levels
• Helps fight fungal and bacterial infections
• Reduces bad breath and helps fight tooth decay

The great thing about this wonderfully aromatic spice is not just the fact that it’s loaded with all the health benefits listed above, but it also tastes divine! At the Original Pancake House, we have a special fondness for the taste of cinnamon, and our famous Apple Pancakes with cinnamon glaze take advantage of the unique properties of a very special type of cinnamon called Sinkiang cinnamon.

What is Sinkiang Cinnamon?

Sinkiang, also spelled Xinjiang and pronounced “shin-ji-yahng”, means “New Frontier” and is the name of a province in Northwestern China, where this special cinnamon is found. It is also called Chinese Turkistan or Eastern Turkistan. Xinjiang is bordered by Pakistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan on the west and north, by the Republic of Mongolia, Gansu, and Qinghai on the east, and by Tibet and India on the south, and is characterized by mountains and rivers as well as grazing land and agricultural crops (source).

This unique cinnamon does what other cinnamons only dream of; it melts when heated rather than burning like other cinnamons can. This characteristic makes Sinkiang cinnamon absolutely perfect for our delicious apple pancakes, oven baked with fresh granny smith apples and covered in decadent pure Sinkiang Cinnamon glaze. This signature dish may take a few minutes more to prepare, but when it arrives piping hot from the oven straight to your table, you’ll know with the very first bite that it was well worth the wait! It’s a breakfast you’ll fall in love with, and probably will want to tell everyone about, but these apple pancakes smothered in rich, warm, mouthwatering purse Sinkiang cinnamon glaze are so delicious you might be tempted not to say a word, so you can keep this delicious secret all to yourself!

Stop by and visit us soon at The Original Pancake House, with two locations in the Denver area at Cherry Hills or Denver Tech Center, and try our Apple Pancakes with Cinnamon Glaze. You’ll love the homemade goodness that makes breakfast at America’s finest pancake house a great idea any day of the week from 6:00 am to 2:00 pm. We look forward to welcoming you and your family!

by OPHD1996

Top 10 Family Winter Vacations in Colorado

by OPHD1996

13 Halloween Breakfast Ideas

Halloween is just around the corner, and we’ve got some “Spooktacular” breakfast ideas for you to try this year, whether you’re doing something special for the kids, catering a Halloween breakfast, or hosting an all-out Halloween party for friends. Check out these 13 hauntingly delicious dishes!

1. Homemade Halloween Pop Tarts.
   Who doesn’t love a pop tart? These homemade Halloween pastries will have your little ghosts “goblin” them up almost faster than you can make them (which you can do in under 20 minutes), and are sure to be a hot item this Halloween. Super simple to make using store bought pie crust, red fruit jam, royal icing and edible googly eyes, your kids will love these sweet and spooky treats.
2. Cobweb Pancakes.
   No one does foolproof food better than Martha Stewart, and Halloween is no exception. These spooky cobweb pancakes with spiders are both creepy and cute, not to mention easy-peasy to make using a squirt bottle filled with batter.
3. Googly Eye Bark.
   You’ve heard of peppermint bark, but have you heard of Halloween candy bark? Yep, it’s a thing! And you can make yours lots of different ways. This recipe for Halloween Oreo “Googly Eye” Candy Bark from A Pumpkin and a Princess with pretzels, Oreo cookies, candy corn, and sprinkles is a guaranteed hit (even though it’s staring back at you!) with trick or treaters of all ages.
4. Dracula pancakes.
   For another super scary pancake idea, these Dracula face pancakes from Fork & Beans are not only perfect for Halloween, they’re even good for you! Vegan and gluten free with fresh fruit pieces for the facial features, you can indulge in a plate full of these breakfast treats without guilt.
5. Ghostly, Ghastly Candy Bark.
   With just some white and milk or dark chocolate, you can sweetly scare the dickens out of your party goers or trick or treaters with this recipe for mouthwatering Halloween bark from The Simple Sweet Life. Quick and easy, there are no special tools or skills required to make this sweet and scary treat.
6. Pumpkin Doughnuts.
   Why wouldn’t you take advantage of the best fall flavor ever and incorporate it into breakfast? Genius, right? These perfectly plump pumpkin doughnuts from Cooking Classy are the perfect answer when the question is what to grab for a Halloween breakfast on the go.
7. Pumpkin Bark.
   Speaking of the popular taste of pumpkin, this divine Pumpkin Butterscotch Bark recipe from Fresh April Flours is made with pumpkin spice candy melts, butterscotch chips, chopped pecans and colorful sprinkles. You’ll love this treat so much you’ll want to make it again for Thanksgiving.
8. Monster Mash Breakfast Hash.
   What do you get when you add ghoulishly green food coloring to scrambled eggs, then mix them together with bacon, onion, and hash brown potatoes? According to the folks at DIY Lighthouse, you get a monstrously marvelous breakfast hash that will keep you going strong long into the night!
9. Candy Corn Bark.
   What would Halloween be without candy corn? We shudder to think! This tasty treat is easy to make with some super simple ingredients. The recipe from Mommy Evolution uses (of course) candy corn, chocolate chips, Rice Krispies, and white chocolate. You’ll whip this up in just a few minutes, but people will be talking about it for days!
10. Jack-O-Lantern Grilled Cheese Sandwiches.
    Who says you can’t have grilled cheese for breakfast? Of course you can! Whether you make this recipe from Diethood as is or add an egg, either way these Halloween inspired melted cheese sandwiches will get you in the mood for the spookiest of all holidays, and warm you from the inside out at the same time. Comfort food was never so scary!
11. Spooky Breakfast Parfait.
    This idea from Eats Amazing is so easy to make, it’s ridiculous, and also frightfully healthy! Simply layer Cheerio’s whole grain cereal with some sliced “boo-nanas” or your favorite scary berries and Greek yogurt in a mason jar and glue a few pairs of googly eyes to the outside of the jar. For added texture, mix in some shredded coconut with the yogurt, and a little honey for natural sweetness. To go even healthier, choose organic, gluten free cereal from your local health food store. When the parfait is gone, you can put candy corn or other Halloween candy in the jar to keep spirit of the holiday alive.
12. No-Bake Halloween Cereal Bars.
    For the perfect no bake Halloween breakfast treat, these Halloween cereal bars from using Frankenberry Monster Cereal are the way to go for a fun filled, sweet and sticky time.
13. Halloween Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls.
    What’s breakfast without cinnamon rolls? Not nearly as much fun! For a Halloween twist on this classic breakfast favorite, this super simple recipe for Cinnamon Roll Pumpkins from The Pinning Mama will help you celebrate the holiday in sweet, tasty style. A little orange food coloring mixed into the icing and a pinch of dough to form a pumpkin stem transforms your cinnamon roll breakfast treat into a delicious Halloween pumpkin.

This year, we hope you celebrate Halloween in style with one or more of these 13 creepy Halloween breakfast ideas. If you’re out and about and need a breakfast meal with wholesome, homemade, hearty flavor, be sure to stop by one of our Cherry Hills or Denver Tech Center breakfast restaurants, and dive into the scarily scrumptious goodness of a memory making breakfast at America’s finest pancake house any day of the week from 6:00 am to 2:00 pm every day of the week.

by OPHD1996