Get ready for Pancake Tuesday...indulgences, dairy free option

Shrove Tuesday/Pancake Day takes place on 4th March, leaving plenty of time to stock up ingredients for favourite pancakes and waffles.

This post offers dairy-free options.

It starts with 2 basic recipes:Pancakes and waffles which can be served as breakfast, snack, lunch or dinner , followed by  savoury and sweet options. 

67goingon 50’s Favourite Pancake recipe

Basic 67 recipe for pancakes: fat-free, no/low sugar Scotch Pancakes here. They have a wonderful taste and texture, are easy and versatile and, best of all, can be made mostly in advance. Guaranteed to become a standby for snacks and packed lunches.  Blogger’s recommended: Corn & Bacon/Pastrami

  

67goingon50’s favourite Waffles recipe : 

Healthier Waffles::Low sugar & fat, with wheat-free, dairy free and high-fibre options.  They are a North American favourite but also go down a storm with Brits.  No waffle iron?  Bake in a ridged griddle pan.

Waffles with Strawberries'n Cream: 

1. Savoury options

Waffles stuffed with ham/pastrami & veg:

great with soups & stews; wallet-friendly,healthy

Lentil Brunch Pancakes 

unexpected frugal delight;  opt for dairy-free,

serve with spinach, avo & poached eggs

Portable Pancakes: Savoury Corn & Ham or Pastrami : perfect for the lunchbox, low-fat/sugar & yeast-free, easy, make-ahead

 Crepes stuffed with Ricotta & Sunblush Tomato with White Wine Sauce

 Indulgent vegetarian treat will thrill a special someone on a special occasion

Vegan Spelt, Polenta & Sweetcorn pancakes 

replace toast in a classic English breakfast or make great soup dippers; they  are also a brunch conversation stopper spread with avocado and a poached egg 

Sprout Latkes/Pancakes: really, really tasty budget Vegetarian fare 

2.  SWEET

A 67goingon50 favourite is American Buttermilk pancakes with healthier Caramel Apple Sauce.  This version has a dairy-free option. 

American Buttermilk Pancakes

The pancakes are sweeter than 67 usually likes but the gorgeously fluffy sturdiness and lovely crispy brown edges are worth the calories.  Maple syrup is replaced with Caramel Apple Sauce, using fresh apples. 

Caramel Apple Sauce

Both batter and sauce can be made in advance.  This recipe for American Buttermilk pancakes includes a healthier vegan option for the pancakes - butter and sugar-free with plant milk. 

Blueberry pancakes: Kids’ Delight; a variation of the basic recipe (above)

Prepare the night before but wait until just before cooking before folding in blueberries. For kids who love the idea of purple 'unicorn' pancakes, toss in the blueberries the night before;  the blueberry juices stain the pancakes a lovely blue and make a great backdrop for sprinkles etc.  A certain online business offers unicorns shaped cookie cutters which can be used to form unicorn pancakes.

Chocolate Flower Pancakes make a great family brunch.  Kids love them, not just because they're pretty and tasty but also because they can help make them.

Skinnier Crepes a l'orange have all the flavour, booziness and yumminess of the classic dessert without all the sugar and fat.  Ace...but probably not for the kids!

WAFFLES

Healthier Waffles with Strawberries'n Cream: 
Low sugar & fat, with wheat-free, dairy free and high-fibre options

Waffles with Strawberries'n Cream: 
Low sugar & fat, with wheat-free, dairy-free and high-fibre options

Banana Nut Waffles, dairy free opt
'...adds a gorgeous creamy texture, smells delightfully of banana'  

 

And an 

Blueberry Spelt Waffles, dairy-free option
'needs an extra minute or two for optimum crispness but were soft & lovely inside'

SWEET TOPPINGS FOR PANCAKES & WAFFLES 

Maple syrup, honey, chocolate sauce sprinkled with nuts or - for the health-conscious - lower sugar fruit compote or jam.  

Uber-indulgent toppings include two easy sweet spreads Lemon Curd or Almost Guilt-Free Chocolate Hazelnut Spread.  

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These recipes  have been developed or adapted by B  Lee/ Bright Sun Enterprises.  They may not be reproduced, in any form, without the author's written permission. 

first posted 2023

The Basic 67 recipe for pancakes is the delicious fat-free, no/low sugar Scotch Pancakes, here. They have a wonderful texture: sturdy yet fluffy.  And they are so  versatile: sweet or savoury, hot or cold. 

Use the same recipe for Blueberry pancakes which are made the night before; blueberries are stirred in the next day, just before cooking. (If your kids like the idea of purple 'unicorn' pancakes, toss in the blueberries, stir and refrigerate overnight; the blueberry juices give a lovely hue and make a great backdrop for sprinkles etc).  

Chocolate Flower Pancakes make a great family brunch.  Kids love them, not just because they're pretty and tasty but also because they can be involved in making them.

Fluffy American Buttermilk Pancakes: high-rising, thick, fluffy, mouth-watering ultra-rich; a what's-not-to-love indulgence.  Americans are so good at this kind of thing! 

Skinnier Crepes a l'orange have all the flavour and yumminess of the classic dessert without all the sugar and fat.  Ace.

WAFFLES

Healthier Waffles with Strawberries'n Cream: 
Low sugar & fat, with wheat-free and high-fibre options

Waffles with Strawberries'n Cream: 
Low sugar & fat, with wheat-free and high-fibre options

Banana Nut Waffles
'...adds a gorgeous creamy texture, smells delightfully of banana' 

 

And an 

Blueberry Spelt Waffles 
'needs an extra minute or two for optimum crispness but were soft & lovely inside'

SWEET TOPPINGS FOR PANCAKES & WAFFLES 

Caramel Apple Sauce: at least it has fresh fruit in it!!

Maple syrup, honey, chocolate sauce sprinkled with nuts or - for the health-conscious - lower sugar fruit compote or jam.  

Uber-indulgent toppings include two easy sweet spreads Lemon Curd or Almost Guilt-Free Chocolate Hazelnut Spread.  

Please leave a Comment in the box below

These recipes  have been developed or adapted by B  Lee/ Bright Sun Enterprises.  They may not be reproduced, in any form, without the author's written permission.  

Easy Dumplings for Chinese New Year 2025

Love Chinese Dumplings but can't afford to visit a restaurant this year?  Making them at home is easier than you think and easy on the wallet.  

True, the prep process is definitely helped with 'sous chef' helpers but then, making dumplings makes a great excuse for a party. 

Dumplings come in many forms and are perfect for a crowd of mixed carnivores, vegetarians and vegans.  Some on offer here are classic, some modern, some created by the Blogger with western tastes in mind.  With 67goingon50 modifications, all are healthier than most.

Try glossy pillowy Triple Duty steamed dumplings, crispy low-fat oven-baked vegan rice paper parcels or an adventurous pastry/gluten-free vegetarian dumpling.  Plus one or all stunning sauces.  And a delicious sparkling Pomelo & Lemongrass Fizz.  They're designed for western tastes. (more below)

RECIPES

DELICATELY CRISPY VEGAN DUPLINGS: baked not fried with sensational low-sugar 67 Sweet Chilli Dipping Sauce.  Part prep-ahead.

The pastry is beautifuly crisp though not brown in the usual way,  
and doesn't  shatter into shards down your chest!  

NO-PASTRY TOFU DUMPLING/FRITTERS

vegetarian, pastry/gluten-free, healthier, prep in advance

Great change from the usual with unusual - in a good way - flavours

TRIPLE DUTY JAOTZE 

A blog favourite: common meeting ground for vegans & non-vegans

67 recalibrated a traditional recipe to take account of end-of-January budgets and worries about fat and salt.  Techniques were modified to make prep easier.  

PORKUPINES 

(with Chicken/Beef option)

Minced pork/chicken with exotic spicing & crunchy water chestnuts rolled in rice are an intriguing Chinese canape re very Chinese-ey and easy to love

                          POMELO & LEMONGRASS FIZZ

easy, low-sugar with 

Champers, prosecco or alochol-free sparkling water, your choice;

 Pomelo & Lemongrass is an enticing blend, unpretentious and nicely balanced. Mixed with champagne, it is ambrosial; even in fizzy water, it's delightful.  

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      .

This recipe has been developed by B M Lee/ Bright Sun Enterprises.  It may not be reproduced without the author's written permission 

Making the filling in advance is usually a one person job (though help will be welcome for chopping).  Then arrange the ingredients on a clean table covered with a single bowl of filling and piles of pastry wrappers covered with a fresh damp j-cloth or piece of muslin.  One bowl will usually be enough but if you have quite a few helpers you might need to divide the pastry into two bowls.  Hand wipes nearby  will be helpful. 

Then it goes like this:  one person places the filling in the relevant container; one folds it, and one steams or bakes it.  The dumplings can be a teensy bit fiddly so women with their nimble fingers might be better at filling and folding.

Put the guys to work setting the table with small plates & chopsticks or spoons, sauces (soy, oyster (opt) hoisin, chilli crisp), serving implements (tongs, serving spoons) and lots of serviettes.  They can also arrange the drink (any or all of): Chinese beer,

Pork is a favourite meat in Chinese cuisine but replacing it with chicken or beef mince is no problem.

 

Chinese New Year 2025: Jan 29: celebrate with easy make-at-home Chinese dishes: lower fat/ salt, wallet-friendly

Don't forget WELCOME TO THE BLOG (nav bar, above)

for the latest food news and bargains.

Courtesy of iStock licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence

The qualities of the Year of the Snake (starting January 29) are Challenge and Opportunity for growth, we're told.  Adapatability, learning and patience are needed but unexpectedly there is a biological dimension!  Males apparently find the year exciting while females are urged to develop collaborative abilities with supportive colleagues.  

None of that applies to the Chinese food found in many Chinese homes during the two week celebration, and year-round.  Most of the recipes here are easy-peasy, wallet friendly and lower calorie.

                                 Un-fried Rice

Cleaner', 'skinnier', gorgeously plumped-up version of Fried Rice

Better for your health: all the ingredients without the fat; soft, easily digested base for Oriental dishes 

           

HOT CHOW MEIN NOODLES

Think Chow Mein is boring?  Think again. This recipe is absolutely moreishly delicious.  It's also budget-friendly and easy, and especially for those not used to Cooking Chinese, includes lots of pictures!

As good as Chinese take-away but much much healthier & cheaper

  

Chinese Ramen Noodles:

Quick, frugal & healthy, a bowl of noodles, protein, veg and rich broth is hard to beat...Triple Duty; suits carnivores and vegetarians/vegans 

With rising food prices, this delicious and satisfying budget bowl doesn't sacrifice flavour or good health 

Chicken Thighs in Simple Sherry & Soy Sauce  

Easy Chinese comfort food for nutritionally deficient pensioners that pleases the rest of the family, too; wallet-friendly,

Almost-Instant Crispy Noodles with protein, chilli, veg & gravy 

(the chinese equivalent of Sunday lunch?)  Just Wow! Restaurant quality but cooked frugally at home.

Salmon & Chinese Cabbage with Garlic Honey Sauce

Sensationally delicious easy meal for frigid weather::

  low-fat, health giving & satisfying; from pot to table, 15 mins 

Seriously good one-pot dinner is great for singletons or families, especially in cold, damp weather 

                          Vegan Tofu with Chillis & Broccoli 
               Colourful and appetising with chicken option

If you like a little heat, you'll love this!

                        Jasmine Mint Tea 

Restorative, cleansing, sugar-free, possibly fat-busting 

Oriental tea with Mid-Eastern twist

 

These recipes have been developed by B  Lee/ Bright Sun Enterprises.  They may not be reproduced, in any form, without the author's written permission.  

Sugar-free Chinese meat rub for that charred spicy sweet rib taste: lo-fat, dairy free

This recipe is worth its weight in gold for easy, tasty week-night meals...
                                                                                                                    updated 1/2025; original 2015

Healthier Chinese Spicy Belly Pork Strips/Ribs ' 

(option for beef/lamb ribs, chicken thighs/wings and other cuts of meat )

' ...lovely and juicy; I usually avoid ribs because they're so messy!' Taster

                                                                                      

Here's a spiced marinade that will give any of cut of pork, beef or chicken the quintessential flavour of  Chinese Spare Rib. 

Post Christmas - or anytime - the great thing about the rub is that it's almost-no-sugar.  And because the meat is barbecued, roasted, or grilled on a rack, excess fat is released and drains away.   

There's no gloopiness; the meat becomes tender, exotically flavoured and covered with crunchy burnished bits. The sauce is much healthier than take-aways or supermarket offerings.  

Winter or summer, prep the meat the night before and it'll be ready by dinnertime.  

Some less expensive cuts may need poaching beforehand which will tenderise the meat so that is is nearly falling off the bone.  Poaching also reduces fat. 

The recipe has been in 67's cookbook for ages but may have been adapted from the (London) Times.

Feeds: 6-8 (as part if a 3-4 course meal) 
Cost: depends on the meat; £5-10'ish?? (Jan 24) Recipe halves nicely

Ingred:
1 kilo/2 pounds meat (pork ribs, chops, tenderloin, belly, shoulder or pork butt; beef ribs, flank or other from-the-belly steak; strips of rump steak; chicken breasts, legs, wings) 

4 tbsp dry sherry or white wine or grape juice
4 tbsp reduced-salt (not low-salt) soy sauce (if there are blood-pressure issues, replace half the soy sauce with good stock)
1 tbsp sugar (opt)
4 cloves garlic, grated or minced (opt)
1/2 tsp each dried cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves
1/2 tsp salt
2 rounded tbsp Dijon or other mild mustard

Method: