Our allotment is beginning to produce some goodies for us. We have been enjoying the purple sprouting broccoli over the last few weeks and now we are into the spring onions. Both vegetables have required virtually no help from us. The recent rain has been plentiful which should have encouraged the slugs to come and wreak their havoc. But, obviously they are not partial to either so both will feature on our annual list of “YES” veggies in future years.
It hasn’t all been a success so far. The peas and beans have suffered by our lack of hardening them off before planting out. But, there is time to do more so we have started on a second batch. Potatoes again, easy as anything. They are thriving and have needed no help from us, other than planting them in the first place.
Gooseberries are beginning to form in the fruit section as are the raspberries so even if we don’t end up with much more than this, I feel quite proud that we are now receiving something back for all the back breaking hard work we had to put in last year. Allotments are a way of life, I would say. They take huge amounts of commitment plus a little knowledge to help you on your way.
Luckily both me and Mr.Scott want it to feature and remain a big part of our lives. I hope to be posting a few recipes throughout the growing season but only when I have actually picked the fruit or veg. It will be seasonal and will be somewhere to keep my ideas (and share with you) as well as a reminder of what worked and when, just like a diary .
To celebrate the spring onion harvest I have a recipe for some spring onion pancakes. I have followed the recipe HERE but added only 1/2 teaspoon of salt to the dough. I am serving it with a crunchy sweet chilli sauce which I made myself. It is not a simple recipe by any means and involves a fair few processes to make. I happen to think it’s worth it when the end results are so so good. And they got the approval of 3 little children even with green bits in.
I am entering these pancakes into Ren Behan at Fabulicious Food’s “Simple and in Season” which is being guest hosted this month by Urvashi, The Botanical Baker ……HERE.
Spring Onion Pancakes with Crunchy Sweet Chilli Dipping Sauce
Ingredients :- Makes 8 pancakes
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Recipe HERE
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I added only 1/2 teaspoon of salt to the dough.
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Also, I added both the white and the green of the spring onions.
For the crunchy sweet chilli sauce :-
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5 dried bird’s eye chillies crushed or chopped finely
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6tbsp vinegar – I used Aspall organic malt vinegar with great results but white wine or cider vinegar are normally used
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4tbsp sugar
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pinch of salt
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1 clove of crushed garlic
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A chunk of cucumber very finely chopped and de-seeded
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1 carrot peeled, chopped then finely sliced
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A spring onion chopped finely
Method :-
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Warm the sugar and vinegar in a pan over the heat until the sugar is melted.
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Simmer for a couple of minutes.
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Take the sauce off the heat.
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When the sauce is cool add in the remaining ingredients and stir well.
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Serve with the warm spring onion pancakes.
Notes :-
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I re-heated she of the pancakes the next day in a dry frying pan, They crisped up nicely but I think they would also be just as good re-heated in the microwave for 20 seconds for a softer, less crisp option.
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There was also enough sauce left to have with the next day pancakes and the flavour was even better.
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The dough could be frozen once it has been rolled out into pancake shapes.
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I am so amazed that flour and hot water can produce something so special!
What a fabulous recipe, I’m so glad that you are having such great successes with your allotment, nothing beats really fresh vegetables, I’m looking forward to more recipes.
Thanks for your comment, the box I keep my glitters & colours in comes from a jewellery course I did for a few years (when I didn’t have small children) it’s so useful as I have limited cupboard space! I do recommend getting one. Jude x
looks so yummy laura! i also loved reading about your allotment updates, how you’re really eating off the land, and how your meals are inspired by the crops you can get!
That is so kind of you! I am hoping to enjoy a few more vegetables and cook a few more allotment focussed dishes throughout the summer! xx
Loving this recipe – great to see a fellow allomenteer having fun with their veg.
Our plot has got off to a very slow start this year after all that rain. The spinach is ready to pick but everything else is a way off. Like you I put my mange tout pea seedlings out far too soon and have lost most of them. My petis pois are doing okay though. I discovered slugs/snails have gobbled one of my new new butternut squash plants yesterday which is a bit gutting.
I know, so many things to learn but love it! The children are beginning to have fun down there and we hope to spend many weekend evenings having our tea down there too!
We’re hoping to be allocated an allotment at the end of this year. I’m really looking forward to it but also slightly daunted by how much I’m going to have to learn! Your pancakes look fantastic, I will have to show this to my mum as she’s very fond of this type of thing.
I hope you get your allotment soon and look forward to hearing all about it!
Oh well done Laura. Sounds as though your plot is giving you far more than ours. I’ve never even grown spring onions – not sure why. We’ve been harvesting nettles, but not much else. The wretched pigeons ate all of our Kale shoots (we use those instead of purple sprouting – they are equally delicious. Never let it be said that trying to grow you own food is easy – you’ve either got to be desperate or enjoy it. But it is so so satisfying when you are eating lots of your own home grown veg. Your pancakes look good as do your onions. Good luck with it this year and I hope you have a great growing season.
I am interested in your kale shoots and will have to look for some and you are right, having an allotment is a very big commitment as I am learning. Feels so good when I am there though, such a little haven of peace 🙂
These pancakes sound so good! My Mother in law has an allotment and gives me most of what she grows, I shall be looking forward to your recipes throughout the growing season!
Thanks Jayne, I hope there will be a few more allotment inspired recipes to come. May well be the gooseberries next!!
Your pancakes with the sweet chilli dipping sauce sounds terrific. It sounds like you are having a good year with your garden so far. Continued luck.
Thanks so much Karen! The garden and allotment are now in full bloom so require lots of attention!
This is a wonderful recipe and easy to follow. I have suggested that all my readers (especially those that love spring onions) give this one a try. Good luck in Ren Behan’s upcoming “simple and in season” event. From my perspective this little beauty is a real winner
Thanks Steven, I have been enjoying all our vegetables so far and look forward to the fruits too!
Yum! I love savoury pncakes like this. My mum makes an Indian version.
Oh I bet an Indian version would be delicious and spiced 🙂