Ingredients

  • 1 each lime zest grated
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons lime juice freshly squeezed
  • 1 x salt and white pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons cilantro freshly chopped
  • 1 small garlic cloves or to taste, minced, or pressed
  • 1 x red pepper flakes to taste
  • 9 ounces spinach well washed and drained
  • 3/4 cup flour, all-purpose or whole wheat flour
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1 large eggs
  • 2 tablespoons butter, unsalted melted
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt or more as needed
  • 1 1/4 teaspoons cumin ground, or to taste
  • 23 cup milk
  • 1 bunch scallions, spring or green onions thinly sliced
  • 1 each jalapeno pepper or to taste, finely chopped
  • 1 large egg whites
  • 1 x vegetable oil for frying

Method

  • To make spinach-scallion pancakes:
  • Add butter in medium bowl and beat it with wooden spoon until it turns soft and creamy.
  • Add lime zest, lime juice, salt, white pepper, cilantro, garlic and red pepper flakes, and stir until well blended.
  • Spoon onto sheet of plastic wrap and roll into sausage shape.
  • Twist ends of wrap to seal and secure marinated butter.
  • Refrigerate until firm.
  • It makes a generous 1/2 cup butter, more than is needed for remainder of recipe; it can keep, sealed and chilled, for up to 3 days.
  • To make lime-cilantro butter:
  • Wilt spinach in a skillet with 1 tablespoon of water.
  • Drain in sieve and, when cool to handle, use your hands to squeeze out as much moisture as possible.
  • Roughly chop and put aside.
  • Combine flour, baking powder, whole egg, melted butter, salt, cumin and milk in large mixing bowl and whisk until smooth.
  • Add scallions, jalapeno peppers and spinach, and stir with fork until well mixed.
  • Beat egg white to soft peaks and gently fold it into batter.
  • Pour small amount of vegetable oil into large nonstick skillet and place on medium-high heat.
  • To make each pancake:
  • Add 2 tablespoons of batter into pan and press down gently.
  • Pancake should be 3-inch in diameter and 1/2-inch thick.
  • Fry until you get good golden-green color, 2 to 3 minutes each side.
  • Keep cooked pancakes in foil papper to keep warm.
  • Keep making pancakes, pouring more oil to pan if needed, until you use up batter.
  • Stack 3 warm pancakes on each plate and top with small amount of marinated butter.