Gluten Free Pancakes

   Last week a long time customer named Catherine was in the restaurant and said to me "Maria , I have een coming to flapjacks for a long time and never noticed that you have gluten free pancakes, I can't wait to tell my daughter because she has celiac disease"
   Celiac disease for thoses who do not know , is a  digestive disorder tha t damages the small intestines and interfears with the absorption of the nutrients from food. People who have this disease can not tolerate any gluten products which is foulnd in flour.When they do eat qluten products their reactions could be bloating, diarrhea, cramping, vomiting and in some cases the reation can be very severe.Now that I am aware of this proplen I can not beclive how many prople are affected by this rapidly growing disease.
  Getting back to Catherine's conversation I told her that I had had a family come into Flapjacks in the month of February. The family were enjoying pancakes, everyone that is except for the father.He could only watch and wish he could taste the delicious pancakes. I later had a conversation with Steve and he asked me if I would concider selling pancakes that did not contain any gluten, so  that he and others like him could be included in this breakfast treat.I told him I would do my best to include a gluten free product into the menu. Well after 3 weeks of testing recipies I finally created a recipe that I was pleased with.
They are not as fluffy as our regular pancakes , it's the gluten that makes them light and airy, but the taste is great, and we can make then plain or flavored.
Our  gluten free customers who  have tried these pancakes are thrilled.  Not only do they love the taste , but they are so happy that someone cared enough to concieder thier dietary restricitons... As a restaurant owner it is very important to me that everyone should be able to enjoy their breakfast experience.It's no problem will make the extra effert to make everyone happy.
  Tell your family and friends that there is this tiny little restauant in Caledon that really does care and they can come into FLAPJACKS and enjoy some great PANCAKES!!!http://www.flapjacksrestaurant.com/

wow ,what a weekend!

Well it was 4 days of madness at Flapjacks , I can not remember it being so busy on the Thanksgivings Day weekend. All the hard work creating great customer relations and providing good home cooked meals ,and the monthly specials are paying off,especially in a time when many restaurants are complaining about poor customer turn out.. Everything went well for us on the weekend, I even cooked on Sunday which always makes me happy. Boy was I tiered at the end of it all , it took me 2 days just to recover.

Now that I have rejoined the land of the living I was asking myself "Now what kind of soup do I make, with not one but two turkey carcases". I had to make the turkey broth in two batches because they wouldn't all fit in one pot. I must say it took a long time, but once I could smell the fantastic aromas floating through the air I knew the end result was well worth it.

Alright I now have the delicious homemade turkey broth , but which soup do I make. Then it hits me, we always had Italian wedding soup at times of celebration. Still being in the holiday mood I think , that's it "stracitella soup" that's what we call it in Italian. It makes me think of the festivities and celebrating and make me feel all warm and tingly. This is the feeling I want to share with others, especially when it's getting so cold and gloomy outside. So come on over and enjoy a bowl.

Giving Thanks

Thanksgiving Day is the day we are all reminded to be thankful. I give thanks on a regular basis, because I have so much to be thankful for.
My health is something I don't take for granted,(even with all the aches and pains that come along with aging) The health and love of my family members is something I give thanks for every day. My husband of 27 years of marriage and 3 beautiful children also make me give thanks( even though we argue ,fuss and fight... we're of Italian heritage what do you want?)
I am grateful for my parents, sisters, and the rest of my extended family.
My great friends,(they help to keep me sane) how could I not be grateful for that part of my life?
I am grateful for my career . I am the proud owner of the legendary, FLAPJACKS FAMILY RESTAURANT. I never thought I would be a restaurateur ,but I discovered this little gem 6 years ago( it has been in operation for over 30 years) and I loved it so much, I bought the company.
Gratitude is what I feel towards the many people who come into my restaurant , and keep us in business.
This is a small list of "Thanks" that I wanted to share with you on this weekend of THANKSGIVING,

The Joy of Baking

I know it sounds like the title of a cook book, but for me baking truly is joyful. If I am feeling,tired,worried,depressed,angry ,excited, all I have to do is bake, and it takes me somewhere else. For me, baking is a therapeutic and calming experience.
I love to experiment with new flavor combinations or old traditional favorites for breads and muffins. Not to mention the exciting and comforting cookies and cakes I make, even when it's late at night. For me the smells and flavors of home made baked goods are like being wrapped in a warm and cozy blanket., comfort and security. Something we don't always feel in this crazy hectic life we all lead today.
I love bringing that same feeling to my customers threw the baked good we offer. For me it is such a pleasure when customers come into the restaurant to see what new flavors we have available in muffins and quick breads, a taste of Flapjacks Family Restaurant that customers can bring home..
At this moment I am baking and I just had to share these thoughts this with you . I have to leave the computer now and take the pumpkin bread out of the oven , the smell alone tells me it's ready

'FALL" my favorite time of the year

The month of October is my favorite time of the year , for many reasons.How can one not enjoy that crisp air. The beauty of the leaves changing colour, and the Caledon region has plenty of colour right now.
Another reason I love this time of the year, is the wonderful fall harvest that is now in full availability. As a restaurant owner and cook I'm in heaven. The fall season more than any other season means "comfort food" for me.
Rich and hearty soups made from the wide assortment of squash available, such as a velvety smooth Apple and Butternut Squash. It's like warping yourself in a warm and cozy blanket. Pumpkins, apples, cranberries, are such a versatile fruits and vegetables, lending themselves to many sweet and savory possibilities, such as breads , muffins ,waffles, pancakes,soups and the list goes on and on.
At Flapjacks Family Restaurant I have made sure we have plenty of these great "FALL" items on the menu this month . Of course October would be nothing without Turkey. We have slowly roasted the "Big Bird" and will have delicious open faced sandwiches, hearty soups, and many more turkey items. Accompanying this great dish will be homemade cornmeal stuffing, and creamy mashed potatoes, and I must say the very best gravy.
Sorry I can't write any more I'm getting hungry and my bowl of soup is getting cold, so I'll talk to you later!

Brand Fatigue

Brand Fatigue: "

As someone who has been watching Saturday Night Live since the '70s, I know something about brand fatigue. You know, after thirty years, I keep hop...

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september apples

What great specials do we have for September you ask? How about local grown apples.
Homemade caramel sauce mixed in with sauteed apples then take this sweet mixture and use it to stuff French Toast, is your mouth watering just about now?
Apple, cheddar and Peameal combination for a savoury quesadias with a salsa with a kick. Have you ever had Apple Cole slaw,this accompanies the traditional Ruben Sandwich....

Summer Fruit Bonanza

We are in the height of summer produce, and how great it is!
As a chef and restaurant owner I couldn't be happier. So many great fruits to choose from , so far we have created delicious recipes using local strawberries, rhubarb,raspberries,peaches and blueberries.The only difficult task we had, was limiting ourselves to only a few selections because of the size of our menu.we came up with Strawberry Cream Cheese stuffed French toast, Strawberry and Banana stuffed French toast, Raspberry and Nutella crepes,Peach and Mascarpone crepes
Rhubarb Bread,just to name a few.

What's to come tomatoes, zucchini, apples and much more.

Father's Day

This coming weekend is that special day for Dad.What a great time to show and tell your Dad how much you love him and to say thanks you for so many things.
Thank you Dad for always being there for me, helping me to become the person that I am today.You never judged you only guided, that's why you are loved by so many.
Just want to say how much I love you, and HAPPY FATHERS DAY.
Make your fathers day complete by taking him out to his favorite breakfast restaurant and treat him to a delicious meal.

Asparagus month at Flapajcks

June is finally here and with the warm weather comes local produce. Asparagus is one of the first local crop in our area. Eggs and asparagus make a delicious food combination, just check out to see what we have come up with for our featured menu items for the month of June.
Asparagus and mushroom omelet, asparagus eggs Benedict, and asparagus fritata, how yummy does that sound? The feedback from the customers was amazing they loved them all.

FLAPAJCKS FAMILY RESTAURANT , has just introduced a fruit smoothie to our beverage menu. This cool drink is high in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Everything that is important to a healthy lifestyle.
Enjoy this great fruit beverage with your great breakfast or lunch,YUMMY !see how can sample one for free

Who doesn't love Mexican food? We have only two weekends left before we change our featured items, so the burrito and the Rancheros, and Tex Mex and home made salsa and re fried beans, and the oh so good fresh tortillas will be no more. so come in very soon to see what I am raving about at Flapjacks Family Restaurant.

Thank you, to every one who came out to Flapjacks Family Restaurant on Monday to help support Sick Kids lemonade stand . The weather was beautiful , the sun was shining and everyone was happy. The kids raised $350.00 and the money will be directed to Pediatric Leukemia research.

Just a reminder that Flapjacks Family Restaurant will be the hosts for SICK KIDS HOSPITAL
lemonade stand on May the 18. Victoria Day weekend, all the proceeds go towards Leukemia research. For those of us who fortunate to have healthy children be thankful, there are many youngsters who need our help in finding a cure for this terrible illness.
Haveing said that also come in to the restaurant for a great meal that day, fill your belly and give a donation to Sick kids and fill your soul as well.

I have been bless with great staff at FLAPJACKS FAMILY RESTAURANT, in the front and back of the house as well. I would like to congratulate my wonderful waitress Melanie and her husband jay, who became a first time parents on Saturday May 9.
Baby Conner was born 10lbs. 13oz. All are at home resting and doing well.
So " FLAPS" now has added a new member to the family, and we can't wait to
see the big guy and feed him some of our great food ( at his size he'll be eating solids in no time! )

lemonade for Sick Kids

My beautiful young nieces will be having a
Lemonade stand for The Hospital for Sick Kids,
at Flapjacks restaurant on Monday May 18,
Victoria Day.They want to make a difference in the lives of children who have been afflicted with Leukemia. All the money raised will be directed to Pediatric Leukemia Research. Come join us and help make their event a big success.
www.flapjacksrestaurant.com

I'm recovering from the Mother's day rush at the restaurant(very much appreciated I my add). I hope all Mother's enjoyed their special day yesterday.Being a mother myself I know how much I like being pampered.

Happy Mother s Day to all the great Mom's out there.Celebrate this day with your family,have a great breakfast, ( you know you'll have spectaculer food at my amazing little restaurant) and enjoy all the rest the day has to offer.CHEERS

slicing 100 loafs of bread, by hand today! Why? you ask, becasue the slicing machines can't cut the bread as thick as we like it at Flapjacks. It's a job not everyone is cut out for(ha.ha.ha.)

good morning, half way through the week, and I'm on my way to the florist to purchase beautiful roses which I will be handing to Mothers this Mother's Day at Flapjacks. Now which colour do I choose ,,,red, yellow, white,,,,,,

we are celebrating CINCO DE MAYO at FLAPJACKS this month, and the customers can't stop raving about our breakfast burrito,Tex Mex omelet,and the breakfast Quesadia with Maria,s homemade salsa and re fried beans. Only three more weekends left for this tasty treat.

FLAPJACKS finally goes on line

FLAPJACKS FAMILY RESTAURANT located in the beautiful hills of Caledon ,at 16560 Hurontario. I'm finally getting the restaurant on line and a web site, it's taken a while but, better late than never as they say.