These pancakes are made slightly thicker than usual to hold the juicy vegetable filling. By using cooking spray, you can control the amount of fat you are using and keep it to a minimum.
ingredients
serves 4
2/3 cup All purpose flour
pinch of salt
1/4 cup medium oatmeal
1 egg
1 1/4 cups skimmed milk
non-stick cooking spray
mixed salad, to serve
For the filling
1 large eggplant, cut into 1 inch cubes
1 garlic clove, crushed
2 medium zucchinis, sliced
1 green pepper, seeded and sliced
1 red pepper, seeded and sliced
5 tbsp vegetable stock
8 ounce can chopped tomatoes
1 tsp cornstarch
salt and black pepper
method
1. Sift the flour and a pinch of salt into a bowl. Stir in the oatmeal. Make a well in the centre, add the egg and half the milk and mix to a smooth batter. Gradually beat in the remaining milk. Cover the bowl and leave to stand for 30 minutes.
2. Spray an 18cm/7in heavy-based skillet with cooking spray. Heat the pan, then pour in just enough batter to cover the base of the pan thinly. Cook for 2 - 3 minutes, until the underside is golden brown. Flip over and cook for a further 1 - 2 minutes.
3. Slide the pancake out on to a plate lined with non-stick baking paper. Stack the other pancakes on top as they are made, interleaving each with nonstick baking paper. Keep warm.
4. For the filling, put the eggplant in a colander and sprinkle well with salt. Leave to stand on a plate for 30 minutes. Rinse thoroughly and drain well.
5. Put the garlic clove, zucchinis, peppers, stock and tomatoes into a large saucepan. Simmer uncovered, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes. Add the eggplant and cook for a further 15 minutes. Blend the cornstarch with 2 tsp water and stir into the saucepan. Simmer for 2 minutes. Season to taste.
6. Spoon some of the ratatouille mixture into the middle of each pancake. Fold each one in half, then: half again to make a cone shape. Sen hot with a mixed salad.
more information
Adding oatmeal to the batter mixture adds flavour, colour and texture to the cooked pancakes. If you like, whole wheat flour may be used in place of white flour to add extra fibre and flavour too.
