Sweet, savoury, thick, thin, crispy, crepes, American pancakes, fruity or chocolaty … however you like your pancakes – there’s a whole host that you could enjoy this Shrove Tuesday.
Personally I love savoury pancakes more than sweet ones and a current favourite includes some herb flavoured ones with smoked salmon, yogurt or low-fat soured cream and pomegranate (sounds weird but works for me)! Add chopped herbs to the basic mix with plenty of seasoning and off you go. And also a simple Parma ham one with wilted rocket and onion.
Another is this pancake recipe with spinach, salmon, herbs and soft cheese. The salmon (I’ve used canned here but you could use fresh) is protein-rich and the spinach brings a super-food healthy element on this most calorific of days. It makes a great main course for all the family.
PANCAKES WITH SPINACH, SALMON, HERBS AND SOFT CHEESE
Ingredients
METRIC/US
2 X 213 g cans red or pink Alaska salmon
110 g plain flour/1 cup all-purpose flour
pinch/dash of salt
1 large egg
250 ml/1 cup skimmed milk
2 tbsp chopped fresh chives or dill
low-fat cooking spray or mist
200 g/7 oz young spinach leaves
100 g/4 oz soft light cheese with garlic and herbs
100 g/4 oz roasted red peppers in brine( from a jar), drained and sliced
salt and freshly ground black pepper
chopped fresh chives or dill to garnish
METHOD
1. Drain the salmon and remove the skin and bones if wished. Break into large chunks, cover and set aside.
2. Make the pancake batter by beating together the flour, salt, egg and milk in a large bowl, using a hand whisk. Stir in the chopped herbs.
3. Generously spritz a non-stick frying pan with low-fat cooking spray or mist, heat, add a quarter of the batter, tilting the pan so that it flows evenly over the surface. Cook for a few moments until set on the surface, then flip over to cook the other side. Make 4 pancakes in total.
4. Wilt the spinach leaves in a colander, pouring a kettleful of water over them. Drain really well, then tip into a bowl and add the soft cheese, stirring to mix.
5. Share the mixture between the pancakes and top with the salmon chunks and roasted peppers. Season and serve, garnished with chopped herbs.
SERVES 4
WLS PORTION:1/2-1
CALORIES PER PORTION: 355
PROTEIN: 32.9g
CARBOHYDRATE: 24g
FAT: 14.2g
But I’m guessing for most a sweet pancake is going to be a favourite and aside from the very basic with sugar and citrus juice there is much to choose from. Over the years I have enjoyed many and terrific combinations have included:
* strawberry conserve with melted white chocolate
* apricot conserve with honey and butter
* caramel spread with sultanas and Greek yogurt
* orange marmalade with dark chocolate shavings
* wild blueberry conserve in an American pancake mix with berries and syrup
* rhubarb compote with vanilla creme fraiche
* caramel spread with sliced banana
* cherry compote with thinly sliced apples and cinnamon
* wild strawberry conserve with whipped cream and fresh strawberries
* and a whole host of stacked pancakes ‘millefeuilles-style’ with every combination known to man
Some of these ideas can be made a little more bariatric-friendly by reducing the fat to a minimum and slashing the sugar considerably or replacing it with something else. One of the best compromises that I have come across is the next recipe which is an American style pancake made with sugar-free or no-added sugar choc chips (if you can find them if not use ordinary sparingly) that are stacked and drizzled with a warm reduced-sugar marmalade. They are great for a breakfast treat or Pancake day sweet alternative dessert. I used Streamline thin cut orange reduced-sugar marmalade for mine.
CHOCOLATE WHOLEMEAL MARMALADE PANCAKES
Ingredients
METRIC/US
60 g plain wholemeal flour/generous 1/2 cup wholemeal all-purpose flour
120 g self-raising flour/generous 1 cup all-purpose flour sifted with 1 tsp baking powder
2 tsp (additional) baking powder
1 medium egg, beaten
300 ml/11/4 cups skimmed milk
4 tbsp thin-cut reduced-sugar marmalade
30 g/scant 1/4 cup no-added sugar or ordinary dark chocolate chips
low-fat cooking spray or mist
METHOD
1. To make the pancake batter, combine the flours, baking powder, egg and milk and whisk to a smooth batter using a hand whisk.
2. Stir in half of the marmalade and the chocolate chips.
3. Generously spritz a frying pan with the low-fat cooking spray or mist and heat. Pour 2 tbsp of the batter into the pan and let it spread into a circle. Cook over a medium heat until you see bubbles rising and the top begins to set. Flip over and cook the other side until brown. Cook 3 or 4 at a time depending upon the size of your pan. Once cooked, keep warm on a plate under a folded tea towel while you cook the next batch.
4. Add 2 tsp water to the remaining marmalade and heat in a small pan until hot. Serve 3-4 pancakes in a stack drizzled with a little warm marmalade.
SERVES 4
WLS PORTION: 1/2
V suitable for Vegetarians
CALORIES PER PORTION: 260
PROTEIN: 9.5g
CARBOHYDRATE: 46g
FAT: 4.4g
I rarely have pancakes for breakfast during the week (they’re more of a weekend treat for me). This year however we’re having friends over on Shrove Tuesday for a bit of a pancake style supper. I’m going to make some of the savoury and sweet ideas featured here and others from the website (see the links below). For the wine-imbibers (and non-bariatrics) I shall supply wine, juices and other drinks but I’m often puzzled as to what to serve with the sweeter pancake options. I’m not a great lover of sweet dessert wines so my wine guru on this has suggested a William Hardy Shiraz. I’m told that ‘each glass displays rich plum and mulberry fruit flavours complemented by dark chocolate, vanilla and spice, with a soft, rounded palate – a perfect dessert option’. It’s tempting to just skip the pancake and go straight to the wine!
From left to right:
Viva Strawberry Scotch Pancakes (recipe here)
American Style Blueberry Pancakes (recipe here)
Wholemeal Pancakes with Winter Fruits (recipe here)
Banana and Strawberry Pancakes with Choc Shot Drizzle
Cherry Pancakes (recipe here)