The Chew, a Review and a Recipe - Apple Pancake Rings

This week, ABC launched a new daytime talk show called "The Chew".  I caught the first two episodes, and while it has a bit of a frantic pace it has the potential to settle into an entertaining and informative program.  The set is a large kitchen including a breakfast bar that seats around a dozen members of their live audience.  Those seated at the bar are able to taste several dishes throughout the broadcast and provide brief feedback to the five co-hosts.  This audience participation directly ties into one of the show's overarching themes, family.  


The hosts, most already familiar faces on television, were going a mile a minute during the two episodes I've seen.  Food Network's "Iron Chef" personalities Mario Batiali and Michael Symon provided most of the cooking demonstrations.   From TLC's "What Not to Wear", Clinton Kelly gives the audience entertaining and presentation tips.  Diet book author Daphne Oz (daughter of ABC's Dr. Oz) refreshingly contributes health tips that are actually healthful.  Rounding out the quintet is former "Top Chef" contestant and fan favorite Carla Hall, who more than any of the others succeeds in making the viewer feel welcome and engaged.


Saturday morning our family sat down to a breakfast taken directly from The Chew's second episode, Carla Hall's Fried Apple Pancake Rings.  These were a fantastic way to round out our apple filled week.  Click on the link to see the recipe and a video of Carla making them.  I made the recipe simply based on watching the show and had great success.  The written version on the website seems a bit over complicated.  


Of course I deviated a little from the recipe as presented.  Here's my version:


Carla Hall's Fried Apple Pancake Rings


2 medium apples (I used honey crisp) - washed, peeled, cored, and sliced into thin 1/8 inch rings.
2 - 2-1/2 cups of your favorite pancake batter (homemade or a mix) a little on the thin side with a generous dash of pumpkin pie spice


Preheat a pancake griddle or large non-stick frying pan to medium heat.
Using toothpicks dredge the apple rings through the batter so they are well coated.  
One at a time, place the rings on a pancake griddle or large non-stick frying pan.
From here cook the rings as you would any regular pancake.  Flip when the top stops bubbling and the bottom begins to turn golden.
The pancakes are finished when both sides are golden and the middle is fluffy.


Unlike the original recipe, by using a non-stick griddle I made ours with no additional fat.  They were amazing!!!  The apple rings were perfectly soft in the middle and they were delicious all on their own.  We drizzled the tiniest bit of sugar-free syrup over them and I had a few with a touch of almond butter.  My toddler ate his plain and probably had more than I did. YUM!!!


I love this idea.  I would serve these any day of the week, to company, for a snack, or even as a dessert.  It speaks to so much of what I strive for when picking recipes for my family.  Making food healthful, simple and delicious doesn't have to be complicated or look unfamiliar.  Put these in front of a crowd and no one will be the wiser!






*editors note: Sorry for the lack of pictures.  By the time I thought to blog about the pancakes they were nothing but crumbs and sweet memories!




*Update*  We had these for breakfast again this weekend and this time I snapped a few photos while I was making them.

A melon baller works really well to remove the core from apples.

After the apples are peeled and cored, slice into rings around 1/8 of an inch thick.

Cooking on a non-stick griddle means larger batches and no oil required.

Cook until golden brown on each side.

So yummy they are ready to eat straight off the griddle, but you can add some toppings if you like.