This sweet and savoury brunch board has something for everyone and is tied together by go-anywhere, do-anything buckwheat pancakes flavoured with caraway seeds. These hearty little beauties make a great base for smoked salmon and a creamy caper and chive sauce. Those who fall firmly on the sweet side of things will be equally delighted when their pancakes are piled high with berries or bananas.
Serving up
Provide plenty of utensils for serving and plates and cutlery for eating to encourage guests to make up their own plates—forks or small tongs for pancakes or smoked salmon, spoons for serving up berries, and small dishes or ramekins (with spoons) for sauce and smaller items such as hempseeds.
Sweet and Savoury Buckwheat Pancake Brunch Board
Ingredients
- 1 cup (250 mL) Greek yogurt
- 1/4 cup (60 mL) chopped fresh chives
- 2 Tbsp (30 mL) capers
- 1 Tbsp (15 mL) lemon juice
- 1 tsp (5 mL) lemon zest, plus more for garnish
- 1/4 tsp (1 mL) pepper
- 1 cup (250 mL) buckwheat flour
- 1 tsp (5 mL) baking powder
- Pinch of salt
- 2 tsp (10 mL) caraway seeds
- 1 organic egg
- 1 cup (250 mL) buttermilk
- 1 tsp (5 mL) maple syrup
- 1 tsp (5 mL) canola oil
- 1 pint (340 g) blueberries
- 1 pint (340 g) raspberries
- 6 strawberries
- 1 banana, sliced
- 1/2 cup (125 mL) whole almonds
- 2 Tbsp (30 mL) hemp hearts
- 6 oz (170 g) smoked salmon
- 1 avocado, sliced
- 1/2 red onion, sliced
- 3 mini cucumbers, sliced in coins
Nutrition
Per serving:
- calories453
- protein19 g
- total fat23 g
- sat. fat5 g
- total carbohydrates48 g
- sugars19 g
- fibre13 g
- sodium417 mg
Directions
01
In small bowl, make Caper Chive Yogurt Sauce by combining yogurt, chives, capers, lemon juice, lemon zest, and pepper. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
02
To make pancakes, in medium-sized bowl, whisk together buckwheat flour, baking powder, salt, and caraway seeds. In small bowl, lightly beat egg and combine with buttermilk, maple syrup, and oil. Make a well in centre of dry ingredients and pour in wet ingredients. Whisk together, until just combined. Heat cast iron skillet or grill to medium-high. Drop tablespoons of batter onto hot grill. When bubbles appear on the surface of each pancake, flip and cook the other side (about 30 seconds). Continue until all batter is used.
03
To arrange board, lay pancakes out down centre of board on a diagonal. Arrange sweet and savoury items on either side, making small sections for each item. Garnish dip with a little extra lemon zest and place on the savoury side.
Helena McMurdo is a writer, food stylist, and photographer based in Vancouver.
