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Cardamom Pancakes With Honey Lime Syrup

Cardamom pancakes with syrup and pistachios on platter
Photo by Matt Russell

I wouldn’t say I had a particularly English upbringing, but there were two things my mum held on to fiercely when it came to her children celebrating cultural holidays. Of the utmost importance was Christmas, of course, but Pancake Day came a close second. I’m not really sure why this day mattered so much, but I have a sneaking suspicion it’s to do with eating pancakes for dinner, lovingly doused in lemon and sugar. Yeasted pancakes mixed with saffron and cardamom (called chebab) are typical of Gulf countries, but I must confess I much prefer these lacy thin crepes. So here’s an ode to Mum’s pancakes, with a bit of a twist.

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