Sophia Mitchell
Pancakes are a dish made from a starch-based batter, often including eggs, milk, and butter, cooked on a hot surface. They are enjoyed worldwide and can be eaten as a breakfast, supper, appetiser, main course, or dessert. The toppings and fillings used vary across cultures, with sweet options including maple syrup, chocolate, and fruit, and savoury alternatives such as cheese, meat, and vegetables. This versatility has sparked a debate about whether pancakes are more suited to breakfast or dessert.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Countries where pancakes are eaten as breakfast | Belarus, Russia, Ukraine, Canada, America, UK, Greece, Cyprus, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland |
| Countries where pancakes are eaten as dessert | Austria, Romania, Countries of former Yugoslavia, North America (among people of Icelandic descent), Netherlands, Sweden |
| Common sweet toppings | Maple syrup, table syrup, butter, jam, peanut butter, nuts, fruit, honey, powdered sugar, whipped cream, cane syrup, cinnamon and sugar, molasses, ice cream, chocolate syrup, chocolate chips, golden syrup |
| Savory toppings | Cheese, bacon, ham, mushrooms, eggs, yogurt, meat, tomato sauce, bechamel sauce, ground meat, chocolate spread, Nutella, similar chocolate spread, strawberry Greek yogurt with hemp hearts, potato, flour |
| Types of pancakes | Kaiserschmarrn, Clătită, Palačinka, Pönnukökur, Pancóga, Crêpes, Boxty, American and Canadian pancakes, Greek pancakes, Teganites, Palacsinta, Galette, Buttermilk pancakes, Hotcakes, Griddlecakes, Flapjacks |
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What You'll Learn
Pancakes as a savoury meal
While pancakes are often associated with sweet toppings and flavours, there is a whole world of savoury pancakes to explore. From thin and crisp to thick and fluffy, savoury pancakes can be made from a variety of ingredients, including potato, wheat, buckwheat, rice, or even cabbage.
One popular type of savoury pancake is the latke, a crispy, pan-fried pancake made from shredded potato. Latkes are traditionally eaten during the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah and can be dipped in sour cream and homemade applesauce. For a creative twist, try adding beetroot and walnuts, zucchini and Parmesan, or sweet potato, carrot, and acorn squash to the basic latke recipe.
Another savoury pancake to try is the farinata, or Italian chickpea pancake. This pancake is made with chickpea flour, water, and oil, resulting in a custardy, chewy, and moist texture. Farinata is often served with curries or used as a dip for raita.
If you're looking for a savoury pancake with a bit of spice, try the Korean-style prawn and spring onion pancake with a soy and red chilli dipping sauce. This pancake is perfect as a speedy dinner for one or as an appetizer for a party.
For a heartier option, try a savoury bacon-cheddar pancake with corn and jalapeño. This pancake features a classic American batter with cornmeal and all-purpose flour, with savoury ingredients like bacon, corn, and jalapeño, and a drizzle of honey for a touch of sweetness.
Lastly, for a vegan option, try a kimchi and gochujang (Korean red pepper paste) pancake. This pancake is a flavourful and gut-friendly option that can be served cut into bite-size pieces as an appetiser or light supper.
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Pancakes as a dessert
While pancakes are often associated with breakfast, they can also be a delicious dessert option. The idea of pancakes as a dessert is not ridiculous, as some may claim, but rather a versatile dish that can be adapted to suit a variety of sweet or savoury tastes.
The versatility of pancakes as a dessert extends beyond cultural boundaries. For instance, in Sweden, a classic Thursday meal concludes with pea soup, punsch (a liquor), and pancakes for dessert. Additionally, in North America, people of Icelandic descent enjoy pönnukökur, a thin pancake traditionally served with sugar, jam, and whipped cream or ice cream in cafes.
The concept of pancakes as a dessert is further reinforced by their similarity to cakes. Pancakes are essentially flat cakes cooked on a hot surface, and the addition of sweet toppings or fillings only enhances their dessert-like qualities. Whether it's chocolate chips, whipped cream, or ice cream, these indulgent additions solidify the argument for pancakes as a legitimate dessert option.
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Pancakes for breakfast in North America
Pancakes are a popular breakfast food in North America, particularly in the United States and Canada. They are typically served as a stack of two or three fluffy, thick pancakes, often topped with maple syrup or table syrup, and butter. They may also be served with other items such as bacon, toast, eggs, or sausage.
The batter for these pancakes contains eggs, flour, milk, and a leavening agent such as baking powder, resulting in a thick and fluffy texture. This is in contrast to the thinner, unleavened pancakes commonly found in England.
The versatility of pancakes is evident in the wide range of toppings and fillings that can be used. Popular alternatives to the traditional maple syrup and butter combination include jam, peanut butter, nuts, fruit, honey, powdered sugar, whipped cream, cane syrup, cinnamon and sugar, and molasses.
While pancakes are commonly associated with breakfast, they can also be enjoyed as a dessert. When served as a dessert, pancakes may be topped with ice cream, chocolate syrup, or various fruits, transforming them into an indulgent treat.
The perception of pancakes as a breakfast food or dessert varies across different cultures and personal preferences. Some individuals consider pancakes a legitimate meal, whether as a savoury option with fillings like ham, mushrooms, or cheese, or as a sweet treat on special occasions like Pancake Day.
Ultimately, the designation of pancakes as a breakfast food or dessert may depend on individual interpretations of what constitutes a "breakfast food" and the cultural context in which they are consumed.
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Pancakes for breakfast in the UK
Pancakes are consumed differently across the globe. In the UK, pancakes are traditionally consumed on Pancake Day, Shrove Tuesday. They are usually unleavened, thin, and similar to French crêpes. They are typically served rolled or folded with a filling. While they are not commonly eaten for breakfast, some people enjoy them as a weekend breakfast treat.
Traditional British pancakes are made with a batter of eggs, flour, and a mix of water and milk. The batter can be made non-stick by adding a dash of oil or some melted butter. It is then cooked on a hot surface, such as a griddle or frying pan.
Pancakes in the UK are often served with sweet toppings such as sugar and lemon, Lyle's Golden Syrup, jam, or caster sugar. They can also be filled with savoury foods such as bean chilli, dark chocolate, cranberries, and bacon.
Some people in the UK have shared memories of eating pancakes straight from the pan as a treat on Shrove Tuesday. While pancakes are not traditionally a breakfast food in the UK, they can be enjoyed as a delicious morning meal, especially on weekends or special occasions.
In summary, while pancakes in the UK are traditionally consumed on Shrove Tuesday and are not a typical breakfast food, they can be enjoyed as a breakfast treat, with various sweet and savoury toppings to suit individual preferences.
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Pancakes for breakfast in other cultures
In Germany, pancakes are known as Pfannkuchen, although in Berlin, this term refers to filled doughnuts, and the pancakes are called Eierkuchen. German pancakes are similar to American pancakes but are typically served with jam, applesauce, or other spreads.
Scotch pancakes, also known as drop scones, are small and thick, similar to American pancakes but denser. They are often served with butter and jam for afternoon tea or as a breakfast treat.
In Russia, there are two types of pancakes: blini and blintz. Blini are yeasted and contain a rising agent, resulting in a fluffy texture, while blintzes are thinner and are generally wrapped around a filling. Blini are often topped with soured cream and smoked salmon or caviar, while blintzes are filled with fruit.
Greek pancakes, or teganites, are small and can be either sweet or savoury. They are made with flour, olive oil or butter, milk, and eggs, and are usually drizzled with honey and cinnamon or topped with cheese, nuts, fruits, or vegetables. Teganites can be served for breakfast or dessert and are customarily eaten on feast days in some places.
Pönnukökur, the traditional Icelandic pancake, is cooked on a special pan to make it as thin as possible. It is traditionally served rolled up with sugar or folded with jam and whipped cream.
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Frequently asked questions
It depends on your personal preference and where you are from. In North America, pancakes are usually served at breakfast time, whereas in other countries, such as Sweden, they are considered a dessert.
American and Canadian pancakes are usually served with maple syrup or butter. They are often accompanied by bacon, toast, eggs, or sausage.
Pancakes served as dessert often include whipped cream, ice cream, or chocolate syrup.
