Jiangxi-style Lentil Pancakes

Ingredients

In the original Syrian dish, Dal Adas, the lentils are cooked into a thick soup-like consistency. However, in the Jiangxi-style Lentil Pancakes, the lentils are ground into a batter and cooked as pancakes. The addition of rice flour and aromatic spices gives the pancakes a unique texture and flavor profile, distinct from the original dish. We alse have the original recipe for Dal adas, so you can check it out.

• 1 cup (200g) lentils, soaked overnight 1 cup (200g) lentils, soaked overnight
• 1/2 cup (60g) rice flour 1/2 cup (60g) rice flour
• 1 small onion, finely chopped 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
• Salt to taste Salt to taste
• Vegetable oil for frying Vegetable oil for frying

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 250 kcal / 1046 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 3g, 0.5g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 45g, 2g
• Protein: 12g
• Fiber: 8g
• Salt: 1g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Drain the soaked lentils and rinse them thoroughly.
2. 2.
   In a blender, combine the lentils, rice flour, chopped onion, minced garlic, ground cumin, ground coriander, chili powder, and salt. Blend until you have a smooth batter.
3. 3.
   Heat a non-stick pan over medium heat and add a drizzle of vegetable oil.
4. 4.
   Pour a ladleful of the lentil batter onto the pan and spread it into a circular shape.
5. 5.
   Cook the pancake for 2-3 minutes on each side until golden brown and crispy.
6. 6.
   Repeat the process with the remaining batter.
7. 7.
   Serve the Jiangxi-style Lentil Pancakes hot with your favorite dipping sauce or chutney.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Lentils — Soaking the lentils overnight helps in their digestion and reduces cooking time.

Tips & Tricks

• For a spicier version, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the batter.
• Serve the pancakes with a side of tangy tomato chutney for an extra burst of flavor.
• Experiment with different toppings such as chopped cilantro, grated coconut, or sliced green chilies.
• Make sure the pan is well-heated before pouring the batter to achieve a crispy texture.
• Leftover pancakes can be refrigerated and reheated in a toaster or oven for a quick snack.

Serving advice

Serve the Jiangxi-style Lentil Pancakes as a main course or as a snack. They can be enjoyed on their own or with a side of chutney or dipping sauce.

Presentation advice

Arrange the lentil pancakes on a platter, garnished with fresh herbs such as cilantro or parsley. Serve them alongside a small bowl of chutney or sauce for dipping.