Swiss Chard pancake? Sounds weird right... yeah, but
you've eaten Zucchini pancakes? Haven't you? I have all of my life. I guess it is just what you are familiar with...
This is what I love about being a member of French Fridays with Dorie her recipes always seem to push us all out of our comfort zone... sometimes I venture and other times... like last week, and the week before I just went rogue.
I'll admit I didn't follow Dorie's directions exactly, but only because I knew I would make a mess. She wanted us to mix the batter in our food processor and add the swiss chard to the batter, possibly in batches if our food processor didn't have a really large capacity.
I just pureed the swiss chard with the onions, scallions, and chives and hand beat the batter. I mixed the pureed into the batter... simple and neat.
When I told my kids we were going to have pancakes for dinner they had visions of chocolate chips and maple syrup...
"Chard,... seriously." my teenage son said, "Whatever." But he ate them and my daughter said, "These are strangely good."
Yes, I have to agree they were "strangely good." Strange, only because I never had such a combination of ingredients in a pancake before.
We had fun experimenting with the toppings. We tried: Creme Fraiche as Dorie recommended, but also a chili spiced mustard, a Trader Joe's Red Pepper Spread, Thai Sweet Red Chili and some Sriacha Chili sauce. They all worked really well with this very adaptable pancake.
I can envision this recipe being great for using up wilting greens. You can easily substitute spinach, collard greens, escarole, etc. for the swiss chard.
I am adding this simple, healthy and delicious recipe to my regular repertoire ... bravo Dorie!
Click here for Swiss Chard Pancake Recipe
Note: As a member of French Friday's with Dorie I am not allowed to print the recipe. I invite you to take a look at this wonderful cookbook "Around My French Table" if you are interested in this or any other recipe I review.
Note: As a member of French Friday's with Dorie I am not allowed to print the recipe. I invite you to take a look at this wonderful cookbook "Around My French Table" if you are interested in this or any other recipe I review.
You'd be surprise but I made these 2 years ago for Hanukkah. We really liked them, so I recommend :)
ReplyDeleteI was impressed... have you tried these with any other vegetable?
Deletevery interesting. The most creative I get with my pancakes are making them completely out of mashed potatoes.
ReplyDeleteOtherwise it's chocolate chips and blueberries for us.
I think this might be a good way to sneak veggies in for kids...let them put syrup on them they still are eating greens.
Deletei make dosas and uttapams(indian pancakes) with spinach and they turn out quite well. i am sure these must be as good if not better.
ReplyDeleteI'll have to check those out. I love cross cultural recipes. Though my guess is that the French got the idea from the Indians.
DeleteDiane, didn't these remind you of Blinis? I've never had zucchini pancakes before. Yes to crepes and galettes but no to facous. I'm not surprised that your kids liked these - they are adventurous - but I think your topping combo was a winner.
ReplyDeleteYes, blinis haven't had those in a long time. If it is a topping my kids like it.
DeleteIsn't it nice when your kids will eat green foods!
ReplyDeleteIt is... and it was a lot of work. Once a cousin came to visit and he told my son never to eat anything green! He didn't for quite a while... what a food culture we are up against.
DeleteStrangely good must be such a compliment from a kid. These were really good for me, and the idea of using other veggies is very interesting. They look wonderful Diane! Have a good weekend.
ReplyDeleteThanks Paula, ... yes, strangely good is at least an honest compliment. They were definitely different from anything she has eaten before.
DeleteI actually thought that these would be good with a fried egg on top. But your other toppings sound good too.
ReplyDeleteI can see a fried egg... what a great lead in to next week.
DeleteI like how adaptable these are: with the greens, with the herbs, with the topping. It's nice that you can make it a little different each time. Yours looks great!
ReplyDeleteYes, this base savory pancake recipe is excellent... it mixed up so nicely. I can't wait to try some other greens.
DeleteThese are really adaptable and a great way to use up greens. I also liked how well they worked with gluten-free flour.
ReplyDeleteI have a mild wheat allergy... so I made these with gluten free flour and I agree they came out terrific.
DeleteYour toppings were not dissimilar to mine. These pancakes were strangely good.
ReplyDeleteStrangely good as a food description is really starting to grow on me. I'll go check out your post now and your toppings.
DeleteI make zucchini pancakes quite often in the summer. They are so good. I now plan on making these on a regular basis. Your kids are great…I love that they will try anything….and strangely good works for me! Your pancakes look lovely…glad you enjoyed them. Have a great weekend, Diane!
ReplyDeleteI guess only Italians make zucchini pancakes? I also like to fry the flowers. Yes, my kids are pretty good sports about all the strangely good food I ask them to eat.
DeleteYes, these were strangely good.
ReplyDeleteWe tend to throw a lot of different things in our pancakes (parsnips are a favorite)
Parsnip... hmmm I wouldn't have thought of that one!
DeleteI like the comment strangely good. Yours do look delicious. These were unfortunately not my favorite, though I'm still working my way through the leftovers. I liked them a little better with scrambled eggs on top.
ReplyDeleteDiane, looks like you all enjoyed these wonderul and healthy pancakes - it is so nice when the kids taste all these different dishes we prepare for them and like them as well.
ReplyDeleteHave a nice Monday!
Well tasting has never been an option but liking well that doesn't always happen. It does more and more as they get older.
DeleteFunny you mention zucchini pancakes. As I was eating these, I was wishing that they were more like zucchini pancakes (which I love)....I really like all of your topping ideas! I'm starting to think I need to try these again, when we have chard in the garden. I will definitely try some of your ideas.
ReplyDeleteI think the pancakes would be much lighter if you made them like zucchini pancakes which is a lot heavier on the vegetable than the batter. This is my recipe for zucchini pancakes: http://www.simplelivingeating.com/2012/02/meatless-monday-zucchini-pancakes.html
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