What to do when life gets hectic and you can’t think through the noisy haze of daily life? Grab a board and hit the waves? Only if you’re one of many crazy west coasters who think 7°C (45°F) is somehow tolerable. No, I’ll just sit on the beach with a glass of prosecco or white wine and watch, thank you. Which is exactly what we did this weekend.
Grabbing the only available date in March for a three bedroom villa in Tofino, BC, we headed off to the real rough west coast of Vancouver Island (where Scarlett Johansson and Ryan Reynold’s fateful marriage took place) with our in-laws and the kids and settled in for a blissful weekend of wave watching, wine drinking, crab eating and beach combing.
There are no words to describe this utterly amazing place. It is absolutely breathtaking in every sense of the word. There is a constant noise of waves crashing, even with not even a slight tickle of a breeze. The sandy beaches stretch out for miles and the air is as crisp and clean as if it had been freshly created just then by the constantly churning sea.
Tofino itself, a tiny village of about 1700 people, has many little shops, restaurants and parks to visit if you feel like leaving the expansive beaches and luxury accommodations located on the shoreline. Mostly, we just decided to stay on our resort property and explore the reaches of the beach, shore and surrounding woods.
About two years ago, my sister was married on this beach. It was gorgeous, and every time I visit now I am reminded of that day. The one thing I remember most about being here over the years is the amazing sunsets. Gorgeous expanses of pink and gold that lay out over the crashing breakers as the sun settles in the west.
This time it wasn’t as pink, but it still took every ounce of discipline I had not to fill my memory card with 500 pictures of one sunset.
But really, what I take away from this weekend was a recharge of my batteries. I needed that moment of peace, quiet, sea air, wine drenched, utter bliss. And if nothing, I know the kids had just as much fun as we did.
Even a little rain won’t stop me and my camera. A plastic bag and an elastic can do wonders for severe conditions…
**For even more photos from my trip to Tofino, please visit my photography blog, Garnett Wren Photography.
And now for the food. Although we made some amazing meals while we were in Tofino, the light in the villa we stayed at was not very accommodating, so there is no proof. Instead, I thought I would return to the land of the civilized and give you a St.Patrick’s Day recipe to celebrate your love of all things green, and I made it gluten free just for fun!
Being part Irish, I take pride in the occasion of celebrating my ancestral home. We used to have some kind of stew, some Keeper’s Stout and hit the town. These days we stay home and quietly acknowledge our lineage.
I thought I would offer a different recipe than most, as I know I have had my fair share of stews, cabbage, potatoes and corned beef. So I offer the simple oat pancake. What is more Irish than oatmeal, I say?
These pancakes are simple, fast and unbelievably tasty. I made a large batch and froze the rest for quick breakfasts on weekdays. But they are mighty tasty fresh off the griddle soaked in a little maple syrup and butter.
So I lift my glass to the homeland and say “slainte!”
One Year Ago: Pan Fried Pork Chops with Apple Compote and Apple, Cheddar and Rosemary Biscuits
Gluten Free Cinnamon Oat Pancakes
Yield: 10 medium sized pancakes
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cooking Time: 10 minutes1 cup certified Gluten Free oats
1/2 cup sweet rice flour
1/2 cup gluten free all purpose flour (such as Bob’s Red Mill)1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
3 tbsp brown sugar, packed
1 1/2 cups buttermilk2 tbsp butter, melted and slightly cooled
1 tsp vanilla extract1. In a small bowl, combine the oats, flours, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. Stir to combine.
2. In a separate bowl combine the buttermilk, vanilla and the butter. Stir to combine.
3. Preheat a non-stick frying pan, cast iron pan or griddle to medium low.
4. Pour the mixed wet ingredients into the dry and stir, but not too much….lumps are okay!
5. Portion out the batter into the pan, wait for bubbles to form on the sides and top. Flip the pancake and continue to cook until cooked through.
6. Remove and serve with butter, syrup, etc.
Other fabulously Irish recipes from other delicious food blogs:
Irish Mum’s Brown Bread on 101 Cookbooks
Irish Cottage Pie on Gluten Free Goddess
Bubble and Squeak on My Cooking Hut
Mini Beef and Mushroom Pies on The Good Mood Food Blog
Corned Beef and Cabbage on Simply Recipes
What’s more Irish than oatmeal indeed! We’ll just slide this recipe in alongside the other pancakes we’ve been making on our recent griddle cake kick.
Beautiful shots, Liz. Makes me very nostalgic for BC and the coast. Thanks for sharing!
Aimee @ Simple Bites recently posted..Why and How You Should Create a Healthy Food Culture for Your Family
One of my biggest disappointments was not experiencing Tofino when I lived in Vancouver. I guess that means I’ll have to come back again! No one has anything but wonderful things to say about the place and your pictures confirm that.
As for the pancakes, i’ll take a stack please!
Ethan recently posted..Treasuring & Remembering Grandparents
It’s a beautiful place, but so many miss it when they come here. it is a bit of a drive…and wind-y rugged terrain.
That sounds like the perfect holiday and the photos are gorgeous. Makes me want to go there and just chill out for a few days!
And the pancakes…are so awesome. Best. Food. Ever.
Charissa recently posted..Something Crazy
Those photos you took on your weekend are just gorgeous.
I am starting to consider doing a trial of a gluten free diet to see if it would help me with various digestive issues. These pancakes would be a great way to do that and not feel one bit deprived.
Mama Kelly aka Jia recently posted..Bengan Bhartha
Consider them my gift to you and good luck with your kickoff!
Those pictures are breathtaking, I can only imagine what it must have been like in person! I’m glad to hear that you got a nice break and had a chance to relax, I know how busy you’ve been recently.
Sylvie @ Gourmande in the Kitchen recently posted..chocolate and milk toast when comfort is needed
It was awful nice Sylvie…but a bit too short. I need a looooong vacation. Like two weeks. I’m hoping that trip to Santa Monica in November becomes a long vacation. I hope to see you there!
You know I love your food shots, Sylvie… but these other pictures just put a huge smile on my face. You capture the environment, the action… all perfectly.
Seeing the beach brings me back to summer… taking long walks on Cape Cod with Eric. Sigh.
And, lastly, these pancakes look better than any regular pancake I’ve had… plump, full of flavor… I’m sold.
Brian @ A Thought For Food recently posted..Recipe- Chermoula Fish Tacos with Mango Salsa
These look amazing! And, I just loved your photos of the beach… Stunning!
What a beautiful beach.. and beautiful photos. Haven’t been to Vancouver since I was a child but it is on my short list of places to visit!!!
Love the recipe for the GF pancakes – I love anything with oats in them so these may be making an appearance in my kitchen soon!!
Nancy@acommunaltable recently posted..Lazy Dog Cafe – Nothing Lazy about it!
Beautiful fotos and in a place like that you can really charge your batteries….lovely
norma recently posted..GRILLED OUZO-FLAVOURED SHRIMP
Very nice post. Really liked your photos, especially the emphasis on black & white. The recipe is great, thank you for sharing.
HAHAHAHA! Oh my goodness… I’m so embarrassed! This is what I get for reading posts and writing comments first thing in the morning.
Of course I know your name is Elizabeth… though I do love you and Sylvie equally 🙂
Brian @ A Thought For Food recently posted..Silent Sunday- KO Catering and Pies
I know Brian, I figured you mistook me for Sylvie from your last comment under Sylvie’s. No biggie!
Yummy, my visit to Tofino B.C. was the most relaxing experiences I ever had. Nice picture and site. Great receipt
Hi, Am an RD in the process of creating a GF page for my clients & saw this great recipe. Wanted to link it up using linkz tools so the pic will go directly to your post. If you have a problem with that, please let me know. My page will prob be up by tomorrow. Love that you used oats instead of GF flour 🙂
Hi! Sounds great to me and no problem with linking to it. Thank you!
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