![\"buckwheat](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.growntocook.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/sized_IMG_5301.jpg?resize=750%2C500&ssl=1\")
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In terms of money, fruit trees are an awesome investment. The very first tree I ever planted was a plum, more specifically \u201cMirabelle de Nancy\u201d . The half-standard tree from a local organic nursery cost 12 Euro then (ten years ago). Even though I have planted many trees since, I still feel like I felt that first time: that for such a miraculous event, planting a tree is suspiciously simple. Make a hole, loosen the soil, add compost and some calcium if the soil is acidic (ours is). Put the tree in and, taking care not to bury the place where the tree is grafted on a rootstock, fill the hole up with soil again. Water, mulch. Wait.<\/p>\n
![\"Mirabelle](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.growntocook.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/sized_IMG_5233.jpg?resize=750%2C563&ssl=1\")
\nThree years later the tree started producing sweet yellow plums and has done so ever since. This year we’ve picked over twenty kilo (there is still more on the tree). Last Saturday we were shopping in the local organic store and saw mirabelles for sale: 250 g for 3,79 Euro (what?!). That means that if we were buying the plums, the 20 kilo would have cost us 303 Euro.The tree has earned us the initial investment back many times over.<\/p>\n
![\"Esther](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.growntocook.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/sized_IMG_5221.jpg?resize=750%2C563&ssl=1\")
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Esther loves the mirabelles and for the past weeks she filled her lunch box with them to take to school. Picking the plums is the only<\/em> garden job she does voluntarily. One Saturday morning she got carried away and picked 10 kilo in one go, so the rest of the weekend was spent canning.<\/p>\n But on Sunday I also made buckwheat pancakes and a quick compote from a mix of the fruits that we have an abundance of now: mirabelle plums and blackberries. Buckwheat pancakes with plum and blackberry compote<\/strong> (coconut) oil for frying<\/p>\n Fall fruit compote<\/strong> In a medium bowl, mix together both flours, sugar, baking powder and soda, salt and cinnamon. Serve the pancakes with a generous serving of the warm compote. In terms of money, fruit trees are an awesome investment. The very first tree I ever planted was a plum, more specifically \u201cMirabelle de Nancy\u201d . The half-standard tree from a local organic nursery cost 12 Euro then (ten years…<\/p>\n![\"mirabelle](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.growntocook.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/sized_IMG_5236.jpg?resize=750%2C563&ssl=1\")
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\nAs we’re gliding into fall, a cooked breakfast on a weekend felt more appropriate than our usual smoothie. The spices (cinnamon and star anise) are in tune with the leaves turning noticeably yellow.<\/p>\n![\"buckwhet](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.growntocook.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/sized_IMG_5289.jpg?resize=750%2C500&ssl=1\")
![\"mirabelles](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.growntocook.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/sized_IMG_5286.jpg?resize=750%2C500&ssl=1\")
\nYou can use any kind of plums you can get (hopefully cheaply or for free).<\/p>\n
\n150 g (1cup) whole buckwheat flour
\n125 g (1cup) unbleached (all-purpose) flour
\n3 tablespoons cane sugar
\n2 teaspoons baking powder
\n1 teaspoon baking soda
\n\u00bd teaspoon salt
\n\u00bd teaspoon ground cinnamon
\n375 ml (1 \u00bd cups) buttermilk
\n2 eggs
\n40 g (3 tablespoons) butter, melted and cooled (or oil)<\/p>\n
\n700 g (11\/2 pounds) plums
\n250 g ( 2 heaped cups) blackberries
\n2 star anise
\n\u00bd tsp cinnamon
\n2 tbsp honey (or more depending on the sweetness of the plums)<\/p>\n
\nIn another bowl (or a measuring jar) mix the buttermilk, eggs and melted and cooled butter. Pour the liquid ingredients into the flour mixture and stir to combine, but do not overmix.
\nHeat a cast iron skillet over medium heat. Add a little oil to the pan and drop 3 mounds of batter into the pan (about 80 ml\/ \u00bc cup each). Leave undisturbed until fine bubbles form on the surface. Flip over and cook until browned on the other side as well, about 1 more minute. Serve straight from the pan, or keep warm on a platter in a low oven.<\/p>\n
\nTo make the compote: Combine all ingredients in a medium pan, add a little bit of water, cover and bring to boil. Simmer until the fruit releases the juices and softens, about 10 minutes. Taste and adjust the sweetness if necessary.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"