Lentil Pancake

When a dear friend (more about her at the end of the article) here in the Netherlands shared this recipe with me, I was a little bit apprehensive. Was it possible to mix just lentils and get a pancake? I generally make pancakes with buttermilk (recipe here) or watermelons (recipe here) or  dill (recipe here) or with rice (recipe here) She also told me there was no fermentation time involved which in our part of the world, is a blessing! This pancake is egg-free, dairy-free, vegetarian and packed with proteins. This is really easy to assemble and really easy to make. I like to use ghee instead of oil to make it richer but you can use olive oil too (if you are vegan). It tastes great either ways. So, here's what you need -

Ingredients

1/2 teacup Chana Dal (brown chickpeas that have been split and skinned)
1/2 teacup Moong Dal
1/2 teacup Mung Bean
1/2 teacup Urad Dal (Black gram)
1/2 teacup Toor Dal (Pigeon Pea)
1/2 teacup  Red Lentils (Masoor Dal )

To grind
1/2 inch Ginger (peeled and chopped)
1/2 teaspoon Fenugreek seeds
10-12 Curry leaves (dry leaves are fine)
3 green chilis slit
Salt to taste

Oil/ghee


Method

Soak the Lentils mentioned above overnight or for at least 9 hours.

Grind the lentils with the water used to soak them. Add the list under, "to grind".

Grind once again.

Pour in a glass/stainless steel container. Refrigerate the amount you don't wish to use.

Stir the remaining amount well. Add some water to get a pancake batter consistency and add salt.

Heat a non-stick pan next.

Add oil/ghee and allow to heat.

Pour half a ladle of batter and spread it.

Allow to  cook on both sides before serving hot.

I like to have the pancakes crispy so I allow them to stay on the pan a bit longer.

The refrigerated batter stays good for 4-5 days.

If you would like to experience (eat and cook) healthy vegetarian food in the Netherlands, Mrs. Rajani Nambiar Lankhaar holds cooking classes and serves traditional South Indian and Dutch specialties at her home in Naaldwijk (South Holland). Her wesbite is www.nambiar.info. You need to contact her in advance if you would like to eat at her place or want to participate in one of her cooking workshops.