Whoopee! It’s pancake day. I’ve loved them ever since I was a kid. Back then we used to have them sprinkled with lemon and sugar, but there’s so much more you can do instead, so get creative!
Sweet or savoury, hot or cold – yes seriously… try them with cream cheese, smoked salmon and snipped chives or dill. Delish as a starter or light lunch.
Pancake batter is cheap and easy to make and a perfect base for all kinds of fillings. Leftovers are ideal, so have a rummage through your fridge and storecupboard and see what you can come up with.
For example, if you have some roast chicken left over from the weekend, or some raw breast meat try my chicken satay filling. It went down a storm last year when I did a live broadcast from my kitchen and is still the No.1 fave filling with my kids.
This time we’re having Chinese crispy duck which is equally good. I’ve kept back the legs from the roast duck we had on Sunday and instead of buying plum sauce, I’ve adapted the plum conserve I told you about the other week.
It’s brilliantly versatile stuff. I mixed it with soy sauce, garlic, fresh ginger and chilli. Just drizzle over shredded duck, spring onion and cucumber and voila! A somewhat bastardised version of Chinese crispy duck admitedly, but delicious all the same.
If you want to go vegetarian, how about a crunchy vegetable stir fry? Most large supermarkets sell packs of ready prepared vegetables. Look for one containing bamboo shoots, beansprouts and water chestnuts and either make your own dressing like I did or buy some ready made.
Otherwise, how about a classic chilli wrap using pancakes as the wrap? Just make up some basic meat sauce, add a few slices of avocado, some grated cheese and away you go.
As for sweet fillings, don’t stop at the lemon and sugar (lovely as it is). Try chopped banana, whipped cream, a drizzle of Askeys toffee sauce and a scattering of toasted almonds. Oh My God! It is to die for.
If you want to be very bad, how about having this decadently rich and luxurious filling…cherry brandy chocolate truffle (but add whole Morello cherries). Now that really is naughty.
Ooops! Bang goes the diet again…
Tags: canapes, Pancake batter
We had ours with your delicious chicken sate filling – its become a firm favourite and its so easy!
The duck sounds great will definately try that too.
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Made double the quantity of the yummy Petit Pots Au Chocolate.
I put them in small wine glasses. Am particularly enjoying them with a little brandy poured over the top just before serving!
Love your book. So useful downloading the recipes as and when I need one.
Thank you Uma for all your help and advice.
Deanna.
Very greatful for the information presented. I had a great time reading through your content. Keep it up.
Keep up the great work!.
I love getting your posts Uma, very good info on the pancake fillings. I love the idea of Crispy Duck – Brilluiant as always!
Thank God I found your website on Google!
This post is good, simple and straightforward.
Those wonderful pancakes both sweet and savoury that were cooked on-air at BBC Wiltshire were fantastic! Take it from this greedy pig who’s glad to be one when faced with gorgeous food! Thanks Uma!
Loved the Savoury Duck pancake – great to have an alternative to the usual lemon and sugar!