Pancakes with a twist

Getting bored of plain old lemon and sugar? No, we aren't either! However, we do have some delicious ideas to add variety to the usual pancake day feast – just the excuse we needed to eat a few more...

SWEET

Romeu e Julieta
Why not try the classic Brazilian combination of cheese and guava jam? It is known as the 'Romeo and Juliet', because the contrasting saltiness of the cheese and the sweetness of the jam are a match made in taste bud heaven.

Dulce de Leche
If you can't get hold of tinned dulce de leche, a caramel-like substance wildly popular in Latin America, worry not as it's simple to make. Just combine one can of sweetened condensed milk and one can of evaporated milk in a saucepan and cook gently over a medium heat for 20-30 minutes, stirring steadily, until thick and caramelised. Yum! We also recommend adding a dash of vanilla to your pancake mixture before cooking. Then, fill your pancakes with the dulce de leche and finish with a sprinkle of confectioner's sugar or cocoa powder on top.

Exotic fruits
We love the fruity flavours of Latin America. Fill your pancakes with mango and lime juice for a taste of the exotic (you can even add chilli powder, as they do in Mexico!). Passionfruit, papaya and even prickly pear are some other tasty suggestions.

SAVOURY

Avocado and tomato
Whipped up into guacamole, these two flavours are unmistakably Mexican, but you'll find them all over Latin America. If you're worried that making the guacamole will take up valuable pancake-eating time, simply chop the avocado and the tomato lengthways and place the slices in the centre of your pancake, with some finely chopped onion if desired, and sprinkle with lime juice and sea salt. Fold into a tortilla-style wrap and polish off.

Ceviche
A delicious dish of fish or seafood cooked in lime, ceviche makes an unusual and impressive filling. Prepare the ceviche in advance using our recipe.

Chilli con carne
For a heartier pancake, a chilli con carne filling works a treat. Make the mixture from mince, tomato, onion, garlic, chilli and beans of any kind you like, seasoned with cumin, red wine and fresh coriander. A flourish of cheese and sour cream on top is the pièce de résistance.