How to make Gotland saffron pancakes?
Why is saffron pancake known as Gotland pancake in Sweden?
In her report, Isabelle Fredborg traces the origins of Gotland saffron pancakes to the trading activities of the people of Gotland.
During the time of the Hanseatic League, the people of Gotland developed an expensive taste as they traded with saffron and, Since saffron was an inaccessible and expensive spice, it was only used in the preparation of food for special occasions. As a result, Saffron pancakes were made for special occasions.
Today, saffron pancakes are one of the local dishes of Gotland. As such, saffron pancake has become synonymous with Gotland pancake.
What ingredients are used in the making of saffron pancakes?
The ingredients used to make and decorate saffron pancakes have been slightly modified over the years due to increased access to various ingredients. Historically, people used flour and powdered sugar. However, today rice and sugar are used to make saffron pancakes. Commonly, Cream, blackberry, or salmbär jam are used as toppings.
Read on to learn how to make these delicious pancakes. The following recipe refers to Isabelle Fredborg’s recipe for 6 servings of Gotland pancakes. A rice porridge recipe was obtained from Kroger in case the reader is not familiar with its preparation.
The ingredients for saffron pancakes are as follows:
1 ½ cup water
2 tablespoons butter, divided
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup sweet, short grain rice
4½ cups milk
⅔ cup almonds
½ gram saffron
1½ to 2 tablespoons sugar
3 eggs
⅔ cup cream
½ teaspoons vanilla powder
Salmbär jam
What are the steps to prepare saffron pancakes?
The steps for making Gotland pancakes are:
1. Preheat the oven
Preheat the oven to 175 ° C (345 ° F).
2. Blanch or peel the almonds. Then chop finely.
3. Prepare the rice porridge
Heat water in a medium-sized pot. Add 1 tablespoon of butter and salt and mix well. Once the water is boiling, add rice. Continuously stir to avoid lumps.
Once most of the water is absorbed, add milk. Once the milk is boiling, reduce to a simmer. Cover with lid. The rice porridge should be ready in 30 minutes.
4. Add high quality powdered saffron from rodaguldet to rice porridge.
Then add the remainder of the sugar, eggs (beaten), cream, vanilla powder and chopped almonds. Stir well.
5. Lightly grease an oven-safe dish with butter and pour in the mixture.
6. Place in the oven for 30-35 minutes.
7. Let the pancakes cool after removing from the oven.
8. Lastly, decorate the saffron pancakes with almonds, cream and salmbär jam and enjoy!
Given that saffron is the most expensive spice in the world, Gotland saffron pancakes are usually baked for Christmas or other special occasions. Therefore, its essential that you use the highest quality saffron to make a delicious dish.
For advice on buying high quality saffron threads or organic powdered saffron contact us at: