Several years ago, I organized and compiled two community cookbooks, one from each of my daughters’ third grade classes. I asked each family to submit a favorite family recipe, whether it be from their culture or just a favorite recipe. True to the diversity of San Francisco, we had a lovely assortment spanning the globe. With the aid of contributions and autographs from Mark Bittman and Alice Waters, these cookbooks were a great fundraiser for my kids’ public elementary school (between the two cookbooks, more than $5000). I was so touched when I recently learned that my cookbook project has lived on and is now part of the third grade curriculum, almost a decade after I started the project! More than that, these cookbooks are wonderful memories of those sweet elementary school years. Some of the recipes have made it into our regular rotation– as recipes from home cooks, none of them are very complicated, and as recipes chosen by kids, they are by default kid-friendly. This recipe is one of the gems that my kids clamor for: Polish Apple Pancakes (rachuchy or racuszki). Thank you to Eitan and family for sharing your grandmother’s recipe.
From a nutritional perspective, these also make a standout healthy breakfast. The apples provide a subtle sweetness as well as vitamin C, fiber, and blood sugar-regulating polyphenols; the Greek yogurt adds a pleasant tanginess and moistness as well as protein and calcium; and these have very little added sugar, which you could leave out if so inclined. The original version does not have any spices, and my kids won’t allow me to tinker with this recipe, but if I had my way, I’d sprinkle in some sweet spices– cinnamon, cardamom or nutmeg. —Beautiful, Memorable Food
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