The breakfast lover’s favourite time of year is approaching rapidly and what other way to spend Shrove Tuesday than up to the eyes in pancake batter, sugar and maple syrup? Pancake day is a day of indulgence and Shrove Tuesday is the gift that keeps on giving.
But we all know that variety is the spice of life, and if you are planning on whipping up the pancake batter for breakfast, lunch and dinner on the blessed day, then why not add an exotic twist to the tried and tested classic?
Take a look at these pancakes from around the world to add some exciting new flavour that will tantalize the taste buds and jazz up the old favourite.
These Chinese scallion pancakes are made from dough rather than batter. The texture is both spongy and deliciously flaky from layers of stretched out dough filled with spring onions. Scallion pancakes are a very popular dish in China served up in restaurants and by street vendors. The pancake is traditionally an appetiser and their absorbance makes them perfect for mopping up extra sauce.
There are many regional varieties, all of which are seemingly simple to make, and if it all just seems like too much hassle, then duck pancakes are never more than a phone call away from your local Chinese takeaway.
These South American pancakes are another savoury take on the dish and the pancake of choice for the cheese-lover. The pancakes are usually found in Venezuela and Colombia and are made from corn and filled with delicious melted cheese. The Venezuelans sprinkle their cachapas with queso mano; a soft mild cheese, but grated mozzarella is a tasty substitute.
This pancake is quick and simple and proves that cheese has a place on every plate. Stuff it with some chorizo for your meaty fix.
At first glance, the American buttermilk pancake might not seem too different from the English pancake, but when it comes to breakfast, the Americans like to go big. The US favourite is like the classic pancake on steroids. Think, big, fluffy, calorific circular beds of heaven and you might just be getting close. According to Jamie Oliver, the secret ingredient is baking soda. Jamie tells us that the buttermilk will react with the baking soda, giving you ‘pancakes that puff nicely when they hit the pan’. But beware, the longer the batter sits around the less height you will get.
To live the American dream just choose from this collection of American pancakes, with over 200 easy pancake recipes. You can find anything from Oreo pancakes to healthy wheat-almond pancakes.
No one does pancakes quite like the French. French crepes are thin and delicate pancakes – and best served stuffed. Whether you’re jamming it full of fruit, or loading it up with cream, don’t be shy when padding out your pancake. Martha Stewart’s crepe recipe is easy to follow and yields nine sumptuous servings. How many you choose to share is up to you…
These traditional Indian pancakes are perfect for those with a savoury palette. The batter is made with fermented rice and dal and is popular with street vendors. The dish hails from South India and is a delicacy consisting of a thick dosa stuffed with veggies and garnished with minted yoghurt, chutneys, and wedges of lime. It sounds like an ambitious feat but it’s easier to knock up than you might think.
Check out Sanjeev Kapoor’s website for more authentic Indian dishes.
This traditional Finnish dish is the lovechild of pancakes and custard. The pancake puffs up to dazzling Yorkshire pudding-style heights and is often baked to golden perfection in a rectangular or circular shaped pan, before being sliced up and dished out with generous helpings of cream and fruit.
Mexican pancakes – or ‘hotcakes’ as they are known, are perfect for the carb-lover. The pancake is made by grating potatoes into a bowl, stirring in some Mexican spices, and shaping into small patties before shallow frying on a skillet. Top with some chunky guacamole and a poached egg seasoned with salt, pepper and coriander.
If this all seems a bit too much trouble for you then you can’t go wrong with the old English classic of lemon and sugar. Check out this english pancake recipe for a simple step-by-step guide on how to whip up the perfect batch. Golden syrup is also an excellent accompaniment, along with lashings of chocolate sauce. As the old saying goes: if it isn’t broke – don’t fix it.
XOXO
Debbie
This is a collaborative post
I never realised how many different types of pancakes there were. Some of these sound delicious!