Crispy Vegetable Pancakes with Sweet Chilli & Soy Dressing
With Shrove Tuesday upon us and Chinese New Year celebrations still in full swing, this week’s recipe brings a little of both together.
These savoury vegetable pancakes are light, crispy on the outside, soft in the middle, and packed full of home-grown goodness. They’re incredibly flexible too — perfect for using up winter vegetables from the garden.
Whether you’re celebrating Pancake Day or just want something a bit different for tea tonight, this one is well worth trying.
Ingredients (serves 2–3)
For the pancakes:
- 150 g plain flour
- 1 egg
- 250 ml milk
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil (optional)
- 1 small leek, finely sliced
- 1 carrot, grated
- A handful of shredded cabbage or kale
- 1 spring onion or small onion, finely chopped
- Salt and black pepper
- Oil for frying
For the dressing:
- 2 tablespoons sweet chilli sauce
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon honey
- A squeeze of lime or lemon juice
Method
- Make the batter In a bowl, whisk together the flour, egg and milk until smooth. Stir in the soy sauce and sesame oil if using. Season lightly.
- Add the vegetables Fold in the leek, carrot, cabbage (or kale) and onion. The mixture should be spoonable but not too runny.
- Cook the pancakes Heat a frying pan over a medium heat with a little oil. Spoon in portions of the mixture and flatten slightly. Cook for 3–4 minutes on each side until golden and crisp.
- Mix the dressing Combine the sweet chilli sauce, soy sauce, honey and citrus juice. Adjust to taste.
- Serve Drizzle the dressing over the pancakes or serve on the side for dipping.
Veg Grower’s Tip
This recipe is ideal for:
- Leeks harvested this week
- Winter kale or cabbage
- Early spring onions
- Even grated courgettes later in the season
It’s one of those “use what you’ve got” recipes, which makes it perfect for gardeners.
Make It Your Own
- Add cooked shredded chicken or prawns
- Sprinkle over toasted sesame seeds
- Serve with a fresh salad or steamed greens
- Add a little grated ginger or garlic for extra warmth
Why This Works So Well This Week
Shrove Tuesday doesn’t have to be all sugar and lemon. Savoury pancakes are just as traditional and far more filling.
And with Chinese New Year celebrating renewal and fresh starts, what better way to mark it than cooking something colourful and vegetable-packed from the garden?