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Pancake is a sweet delight prepared by cooking a thick batter and served with a drizzle of honey or maple syrup. There are many variations of it, for example, some people add berries into the blend, add fresh fruits on the top for the garnish, top it with ice cream, and more. It is believed that these flat cakes were prepared thousands of years ago for the first time. Stone age proofs suggest that home chefs used to cook these on rocks, but the first written record comes from Greece.
While pancakes are an integral part of European and American breakfast spreads, Indians have similar varieties, some resemble shapes others texture. Most similar regional dishes are, however, savoury instead of sweet. Scroll down to check how many you have tried.
Adai
Adai, prepared in Tamil Nadu, is a thick dosa made from lentils and spices. It is thinner when compared to pancakes but equally soft. These are high in protein content and, therefore, a perfect choice to begin your day with. The best part about cooking adai is you don’t have to spend hours soaking and fermenting the ingredients. Pair these crepe-like delights with South Indian chutneys and fresh juice on the side.
Thalipeeth
Thalipeeth is a Maharashtrian version of pancakes. It is a savoury delicacy in which the batter consists of bajra, jowar, wheat flour, or besan. When compared to pancakes, these are harder and thinner. It is often served with traditional thecha, white makkhan or butter, sliced onions, and pickles. It is healthier, and fulfilling, and accompanies more beverages like tea and coffee quite well.
Pesarattu
Pesarattu or moong dal chilla is another pancake-like dish you can relish for breakfast. A batter of soaked lentils, red chilli powder, green chillies, salt, and cumin powder is prepared. A thin layer is spread over a hot griddle and cooked until the base is crispy. To infuse it with more flavours and make it flirt with your palate, you can stuff it with paneer or a tangy blend of lemon juice, onions, tomatoes, and fresh coriander leaves.
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Uttapam
South Indian uttapam is the best example of Indian dishes resembling pancakes. It is the savoury version that not only tastes delicious but also a complete meal when enjoyed with coconut chutney, sambar, and tomato chutney. If you visit any South Indian restaurant across India, you will find at least 10 variations, including tomato uttapam, onion uttapam, mixed veg uttapam, and more.
Patishapta
Patishapta is a Bengali dish resembling pancakes, and it is sweet. Prepared during winter, it celebrates the harvest of rice. Coconut is added for nuttiness and jaggery or nolen gud sweetens the recipe. The texture is soft, spongy, and airy, quite like pancakes, but these rolls are thinner. Compared to the English breakfast, its batter is healthier because of the use of rice flour.
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Dosa
South Indian dosa is a crispy cousin of spongy pancakes. They are quite similar yet poles apart. While dosa is thin and crispy, pancakes are bread-like and thick. The South Indian staple is available in restaurants with a variety of stuffing and bases, for example, neer dosa, paper dosa, masala dosa, Mysore dosa, and more.
