SIX WAYS TO EAT PANCAKES

THE shortlist

SIX WAYS TO EAT PANCAKES

Try something different on Shrove Tuesday (20 February), with a wider world of pancakes.

Pancake Souffle Surprise

This is a sweet omelette-based pancake about a quarter-of-an-inch thick, half-cooked in a pan before being puffed up under the grill. It is a speciality of Fouters Bistro at 2A Academy St, Ayr (01292 261391), where owner Laurie Black serves it crammed with chilled whipped cream and fresh berries.

The Mexican way

Mexican cornflour pancakes can now be bought in supermarkets: pile them high with re-fried beans, sour cream, guacamole and chilli. Or luxuriate in a chicken and vegetable chilli version at El Torito, 57-59 High St, Esher, Surrey, KT10 9RQ (01372 463391).

Scotch pancakes

Traditionally served for afternoon tea in Scotland with butter and jam or raisins and lemon. From supermarkets or from the William Stephen chain of bakeries in Fife at 115 High St, Dunfermline (01383 736696) and 10 Queensferry Road, Rosyth (01383 413544).

The Indian version

Discover masala dosai, the lentil flour pancakes of south India. Eat them stuffed with spiced potato, covered in a samba curry and accompanied with coconut chutney for only pounds 2.50 at Chutneys South Indian Vegetarian restaurant, 31a Hartfield Rd, Wimbledon (0181 540 9788).

American style

In the US, buttermilk pancakes are often served with blueberries or maple syrup. For a really authentic taste, visit Fat Jack's Diner at 240 Cowley Road, Oxford (01865 202339). Prices from pounds 1.75.

Russian pancakes

Blinis are buckwheat flour pancakes served as starters. Tuorozhniki is a sweet Russian pancake made with curd cheese, eggs and vanilla. Try blinis with caviar, sour cream, smoked salmon or aubergine mousse, and tuorozhnikis with fresh fruit and a home-made blackcurrant and apple sauce at Rasputin restaurant, 265 Acton High Street, London W3 (0181 993 5802). Prices from pounds 3.95 for blinis (pounds 12.50 for the caviar version) and pounds 2.85 for tuorozhniki.

Compiled by Colette Harris