Diet-Nigerian Pancake

Diet-Nigerian pancake is sweet and savoury with a touch of heat. It is similar to the English pancake or French crepe, but being Nigerians, we love our spicy food, so onions and pepper (either chilli powder or finely chopped scotch bonnet-fresh pepper) are added.

When you hear Diet, you might wonder, what type of diet? Keto, Atkins, south beach, raw food…? but I have always known this delectable, life-saving Nigerian pancake by this name, Diet. Life-saving because, in my first year in the university, Diet was part of my breakfast every weekday. It was usually very oily. So, I would sandwich it between layers of serviettes and squeeze to get as much oil as possible out of it. This wasn’t for health reasons, but because I can’t stand greasy food, nevertheless, I just had to have my Diet…fills me with sweet nostalgia, my little spheres of pure delight.

The onions and pepper must be very finely chopped so that they get properly coated with the thin batter. This pancake can be used as a wrap for both sweet and savoury fillings.

To make Diet-Nigerian pancake

1¼ cups flour
2 tablespoons powdered milk
¼ teaspoon salt
4 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon chilli powder or 1 scotch bonnet
2 eggs
1½ cups water
2 tablespoons margarine, melted
2 tablespoons pureed or finely chopped red onions
Vegetable oil for frying

Makes 6 pancakes

In a bowl, mix flour, powdered milk, salt, sugar, and chilli powder until well combined.

Add eggs, water, margarine, and onions. Mix thoroughly.

Place frying pan on medium heat, when hot, add 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil.

Pour in about ¼ cup of batter right on top of the oil.

Fry until top is almost dry and underneath is golden.

Flip and fry the other side until golden.

Transfer to a plate and leave in a warm oven. Keep cooking until all batter has been fried. Serve warm.

You can serve Diet with shredded vegetables, meat, applesauce, pear sauce, chopped fruits, simple syrup, Zobo syrup, Chocolate syrup, jam, Nigerian pepper sauce, Thai chilli sauce, oatmeal etc.

TIPS:

You can use ½ cup of liquid milk and 1 cup of water in place of 2 tablespoons of powdered milk and 1½ cups of water.
The onions must be very finely chopped and coated with batter so it will not burn during frying. It will cook through nicely and not be pungent.

Storage and reheating:

Diet can freeze for up to 1 month. Wrap in cling film, freezer or plastic bag and store in the freezer.
To reheat, stack on a plate, cover with foil and place in the oven, 180 deg. centigrade for 10-15 minutes if cold or 5-10 minutes if it is at room temperature.
Reheat in the microwave oven.

If you enjoyed my Diet, Nigerian pancake, you will also enjoy my Buttermilk pancake (American pancake), Sweetcorn fritters, Easy waffles and Easy French Toast.

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