So who would think of creating an event called Paddle & Pancakes? Was it just because the two words sound good together? No. It’s actually because the two things are a perfect match!
It is my life’s work to spend time doing things I love. Food & being on the water, alongside yoga, hit the top of the list. If I’m not teaching yoga, it’s Sup Yoga or Beach Yoga or Paddleboarding and if I’m not up to any of these I’m in the kitchen creating new and delicious vegan food for my family and other people.
So when my custom camper van was completed earlier this year, including a fantastic re-claimed kitchen, I knew there was the potential to take a group out on the water and then cook for them after! The clever layout includes gas rings, oven, fridge, sink, cupboards and table and seating, still leaving room to transport seven paddleboards!
We’ve enjoyed some lovely Sunday morning paddles up the Swansea Canal in Clydach, since the Spring and the thought was always there that a nice breakfast (including coffee) would be a great way to end the journey. So this is what I decided to do. Vegan Canadian Pancakes have been one of my specials for a few years since being given the recipe by Demuths Cookery School in Bath – and have been a consistent hit at many a yoga retreat breakfast table. They are fluffy and wholesome, brought to life topped with fresh strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and coconut yoghurt. And what better way to enjoy them, but with a cup of good coffee.
So how did it pan out? After an early start collecting the boards from Swansea, I unloaded the boards at the canal and prepped the berries, laid out the mugs and plates, ready to get cooking when we returned from the water. The paddle down to Trebanos lock is a beautiful and relaxing one – and the group took to it well. In the warmness of the summer morning we were soon looking forward to tucking into a light breakfast and coffee on the return journey.
I’d pre-made the pancake batter, so once back at the van I brushed my pans and began cooking them while the kettle boiled and everyone sat out on blankets in the sunshine next to the van to await their refreshments.
The group said they really enjoyed the chance to socialise after the paddle and chat about their experience while they enjoyed the brunch.
Karyn said: ” Thank you so much for the lesson and pancakes today, it was amazing. The eating together afterwards was a brilliant way to chat with the others in the group.”
Here’s the recipe for you to try yourself:
Vegan Canadian Pancakes
Vegan pancakes
Makes: 12 pancakes
Ingredients:
200g plain white flour
½ tsp salt
1 tsp baking powder
½ tsp bicarbonate soda
75g plain vegan yoghurt
2 tbsp maple syrup
200ml soya milk
2 tbsps sunflower oil
Method:
Mix together the plain flour with the salt, baking powder and bicarbonate of soda.
Mix together the plain yoghurt, maple syrup and soya milk and pour this into the flour, whisking well until you have a smooth thick batter. (Alternatively, you can make your life easy by blending all of the batter ingredients in a blender.
To cook the pancakes, heat a drop of sunflower oil in a frying pan, swirl the oil around to cover the whole frying pan.
Drop 2 tablespoons of pancake batter into four places in the frying pan, and over a medium heat cook until the under side of the pancake is golden, and bubbles have appeared throughout. (about 30 seconds)
Loosen the pancakes by shaking the pan and then flick each pancake over and cook for a further 20 seconds.
Continue until you have finished the mix.
Would you like to join our next event?
Yoga, Paddle & Picnic
Swansea Canal, Clydach
£35 includes all equipment, tuition & refreshments
By Helen Wilson
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