PEA PANCAKES WITH HERBED YOGURT

Posted in Appetizers, Side dishes, Small Dishes, Vegetarian-friendly, Veggies by

This recipe was on a recent issue of Food and Wine magazine, and I could not wait to try it, because at our recent rehearsal dinner in Sedona we ordered a batch of pea pancakes as an appetizer course, and they were a big hit.  René Restaurant’s version was gluten-free, this one takes a small amount of all-purpose flour. A very elegant and tasty way to celebrate spring…

PeaPancakes1

PEA PANCAKES WITH HERBED YOGURT
(slightly adapted from Food and Wine magazine)

3/4 cup plain low-fat yogurt
2 tablespoons finely chopped parsley, plus sprigs for garnish
2 tablespoons of finely chopped tarragon, plus sprigs for garnish
1/4 tsp dried mint
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 + 1/2 cups frozen peas (8 ounces), thawed, plus more for garnish
1 large egg + 1 large egg yolk
1/4 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup low-fat yogurt
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
pinch of cayenne pepper, or more, to taste
olive oil spray, for coating griddle

In a medium bowl, mix the 3/4 cup of yogurt with the chopped parsley, tarragon and mint and season with salt and black pepper. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate the herbed yogurt until chilled, at least 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan of salted boiling water, blanch the peas until crisp-tender, about 1 minute. Drain well and let cool.

In a food processor, mix cooked peas with egg, egg  yolk, cream and 1/4 cup yogurt, and process until smooth. Add the flour, lemon zest, baking powder, cardamon, and cayenne pepper. Process a minute or so more, stopping to clean the sides of the bowl midway through.

Heat a large cast-iron skillet or griddle. Spray the surface with olive oil, and spoon 1-tablespoon mounds of batter into the skillet and cook over moderate heat until lightly browned on the bottom, about 2 minutes. Flip the pancakes and cook for 1 to 2 minutes longer, until lightly browned and cooked through. Transfer the pancakes to a platter and keep warm.  Repeat with the remaining batter. Serve the warm pancakes topped with the herbed yogurt and garnished with peas and herb sprigs.

ENJOY!

to print the recipe, click here

Griddle-side
Comments:  This recipe was originally designed to make 18 tiny rounds, but  I made 6 medium-sized pancakes.  They were absolutely delicious, great texture, moist, tender, and with that perfectly bright taste of green peas.  The lemon zest, as usual, adds a lot of spark to the flavor.  I loved the herb yogurt, Phil preferred to enjoy his pancakes without adornment, or with a very light smear of butter.  For my taste, the tarragon in the yogurt made this dressing a perfect match to the peas.  Of course, if you are not too fond of tarragon, use another herb, I think fresh dill could be delicious too. I also enjoyed the contrast of the warm pancake with the cold dressing.

If you have a special dinner party coming up, think about these for your appetizer course. They would be amazing served just like small blinis, with some smoked salmon on top. They are very tasty at room temperature too, so play with different toppings and awe your guests!  Probably other types of flour could be used, like almond or coconut, turning these babies into gluten-free entities.

peas

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30 thoughts on “PEA PANCAKES WITH HERBED YOGURT”

    • I used the exact same herbed yogurt over salmon, might blog about the recipe for the salmon as it was a bit unusual, involving a beer glaze. The yogurt flavor intensifies a lot after a day or two in the fridge

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  8. I don’t normally make pancakes [no, no, I won’t mention the ‘h’ word .) !!!], but these look SO appetizing there is no way I won’t surprise may friends with that beautiful green!!

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  9. I saw these in that issue and was skeptical. I’m so glad you tried them and they are amazing. Love the natural green color of them.

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    • I don’t think I would have tried them if I had not tasted the ones in the rehearsal dinner – it does sound a little odd, pea pancakes. But they work great!

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  11. We all just had a discussion on peas the other night. Mike and Mr. N will eat them, particularly if they are mixed in something. They don’t particularly care for them on their own. Miss A and I, on the other had, have a harder time. Peas fall into the same category as beets for me. But…I did eat them the other night as they were in an Indian dish. So maybe, just maybe, I’m coming around to peas. We’ll see. Great idea to use them in pancakes though. I never would have thought of that in a million years.

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    • I am sure you could enjoy this, the texture of the peas that often turns people off is gone in the pancakes (obviously) all that remains is a flavor that is delicate and balanced by the other stuff, including of course the beautiful lemon zest

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    • Oh, you and me both! I subscribe to Fine Cooking (but might let my subscription expire), and to Food and Wine. Also BOn Appetit…. but really, not sure I should, as I simply cannot keep up with reading AND more importantly, cooking from them all… (sigh)

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  14. A very elegant and tasty way to celebrate spring, indeed… I’m so excited by these pancakes, Sally! I know that they’re going to be fabulous… and sure to become a favorite in my house. At least a favorite for me, and forget the rest of them in the house!! Love this… wonderful recipe.. ❤

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  16. Pingback: Pea patties recipe - Belly Joy

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