Chive pancakes with smoked salmon and creme fraiche

Name: Chive pancakes with smoked salmon and creme fraiche
Cook time: 30 min
Yield: 8
Cuisine: European
Ingredients: 250g self-raising flour; 1 tsp fine sea salt; black pepper; 300ml buttermilk; 3 eggs; 60g unsalted butter, melted and cooled, plus extra for cooking as needed; ½ cup (30g) chives, finely chopped, plus extra to serve; 1-2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, as needed for cooking; 200g smoked salmon; 4 soft-boiled eggs, halved; dill fronds, to serve; creme fraiche, to serve; lemon wedges, to serve

Julia Busuttil Nishimura

May 11, 2023

easyTime:< 30 minsMakes:8

This is my idea of a perfect breakfast: quick and simple enough and yet, when all the toppings are in place, almost cafe-like. The pancakes are fluffy, yet substantial, and really quite versatile. I love using chives in the batter, but parsley is great, too.

You could swap the salmon for bacon, or leave it out entirely – the soft-boiled eggs and creme fraiche are certainly enough – but when it comes to cooking breakfast for someone you love, I say go all out.

Ingredients

250g self-raising flour
1 tsp fine sea salt
black pepper
300ml buttermilk
3 eggs
60g unsalted butter, melted and cooled, plus extra for cooking as needed
½ cup (30g) chives, finely chopped, plus extra to serve
1-2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, as needed for cooking
200g smoked salmon
4 soft-boiled eggs, halved
dill fronds, to serve
creme fraiche, to serve
lemon wedges, to serve

Method

Step 1
In a large bowl, blend the flour with the salt and a generous amount of black pepper. Set aside.
Step 2
In a separate bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, eggs, melted butter and chives. Pour this mixture into the dry ingredients and whisk gently until fairly smooth. A few lumps are fine, but it’s important not to overmix the batter.
Step 3
Heat a frying pan over a medium heat and add a small amount of butter and extra virgin olive oil. When foaming, pour ½ cup of batter into the pan and cook for 4 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and cooked through. Between each pancake, wipe the pan clean, adding more butter and oil, as needed.
Step 4
Serve the pancakes with smoked salmon, soft-boiled eggs, dill and chives, creme fraiche and lemon wedges.