Mauritian Style Savoury Pancakes – Crêpes Salées

We all love Pancakes! Don’t we?

So much that there is even a Day dedicated to it also know as the Shrove Tuesday in England.And as its name says it all, it is celebrated on a Tuesday.The equivalent to it is ”Mardi Gras” (Fat Tuesday) in France.Shrove Tuesday marks the last day before Lent, traditionally a period of abstinence, associated with clearing your cupboards of goods such as sugar, fats and eggs. It’s commonly known as Pancake Day because it represents a good opportunity to use such ingredients ahead of the fasting period.Pancake Day takes place 47 days before Easter Sunday. Because the date of Easter Sunday is dictated by the cycles of the moon, Pancake Day can occur anytime between February 3 and March 9.

But then we don’t really need a Pancake Day to sit back and indulge into some luxury Pancakes. Similarly, Savoury Pancakes are widely loved here in Mauritius. I believe they can also be classified among the traditional foods of Mauritius because there are so many fondest memories connected to them really.I still recall how Mum used to make them for me back then when I used to be home from school. And no need to say the kitchen would smell of delicious spring onions,of lightly fried batter and of aromatic fresh Coriander chutney.Long before there weren’t any non stick pan, so a ”Tawa” (A sort of Flat Iron skillet) was being used instead. The taste was something else really when cooked on Tawa! It would have a little smokiness to it and also very fluffy soft. Well that is the thing about traditional foods.So much stories and love connected to them and sadly enough you can’t go back in there.But well you can still try to revive the memories by making them again and again and over again. Like that you can keep the tradition going on and on.

Serves 5 – Makes about 10 pancakes

Preparation time : 10 mins

Cooking time : 10 mins

Ingredients :

250g of sifted White Flour
2 cups of Water
1 Egg (Optional)
1/2 a cup of Milk (Optional)
1 tsp of Cumin seeds
1 pinch of Yellow food colourant (Optional)
1/2 a cup of finely chopped Chives or Spring Onions
1 tsp of Red Dry Chilli flakes (Optional)
Salt/Pepper
Vegetable Oil
Any other fresh herbs of your choice (Optional)

Method:

In a big bowl, combine all the dry ingredients (As shown in the picture below)

Next add water to the dry mix.
Note:The mixture should be that of a running one.

In a non stick pan,heat and drizzle 1 small tsp of oil.
When the pan is hot enough,pour in the batter.
Drizzle a little more oil on the top and flip over leaving to cook for 1 mins on both sides.
Repeat process until all the batter has been used up.

Voila! The Crepes are best served with a Mint-Coriander Chutney (which reminds me I always forget to post a recipe for that). You can also serve them with some Coconut Chutney (Again one more recipe to cone soon enough or topped it all with the star of everything – Red Chilli paste packed with fresh lemon and ginger/garlic paste so commonly known as ”Mazavaroo” here in Mauritius. Wash it all down with some Masala Chai or some hotly brewed Cardamom Chai! Heavenly!There are many ways really to having Savoury Pancakes.They go really well along with a Tuna bechamel sauce or maybe some Chicken ham along with the bechamel sauce.However,I wanted to kept it simple and truly authentic Mauritian style.

I know many who will remember their childhood days with this recipe because it truly brings back lots of fondest memories.I am sure you have your own very ways to make Savoury Pancakes at yours. Do you prefer Savoury ones to the Sweet ones? Or do you add fillings to your Savoury Pancakes instead of eating with Chutneys? I would love to be part of your rich culinary culture at yours.So do not hesitate to share your very own fondest memories and also personalised recipe connected to this one.

Like I said this week is going to be full of amazing food posts.So do visit the blog a little more often than the usual to be sure you do not miss anything out.Or you can still subscribe to the mailing list to be notified every time I post new recipes.Also if you are on Facebook please do not forget to connect with me there as well.Sometimes I really can’t be everywhere but then I would love to return the love and support to your page or blog. Do come and say Hello anytime.Here is my link to the page – PeachyTales

Also because I mentioned about Iron Skillets further up, you can find a little guide to how to keep yours neat and clean.They indeed make good kitchen companions.

Take care.