Vietnamese Crêpes with Fresh Corn Salsa

YES, I am trying to break the record of most pancake recipes on a blog. But that’s not a bad thing. We love pancakes! 

We first tried Vietnamese Bánh Xèo Crêpes/Pancakes on our trip to Ho Chi Minh City. They were so crisp, filled with massive amounts of crunchy vegetables and herbs and then dipped in a sauce. Kind of like the spring roll of pancakes. Because they are made with rice flour and no eggs, they are naturally vegan and gluten free.

I have given them our own schwung here by going down the Californian/Mexican route with some of the fillings. I have a corn salsa made from fresh summer corn cobs, fresh coriander/cilantro and lime. It pairs well with Vietnamese pancakes as it also both crunchy and flavor packed. There is some mashed avocado filling for creaminess and to hold the other filling in place. And coconut flakes for crunch.

I also have the more traditional fresh greens, herbs and cabbage. You don't have to go for all these fillings at the same time but I made these as a kind of summer feast and it was awesome. The corn salsa is excellent on its own, as a soup topping or a side dish to a bbq.

• 1 1/4 cup / 150 g rice flour
• 2 tbsp potato starch or corn starch
• 2/3 cup / 150 ml plant milk (I used oat milk but coconut milk is more traditional)
• 1 1/3 cup / 350 ml cup water
• 1 tsp turmeric
• 1/2 tsp salt

• 3 tbsp toasted sesame oil
• 2 tbsp rice vinegar or lime juice
• 2 tbsp tamari or soy sauce
• 1 tbsp maple syrup

• 2 corn cobs
• 2 limes, juice
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• a small handful fresh coriander leaves
• 1/4 fresh green chili
• 4 radishes, thinly sliced
• 1/2 tsp sea salt

• 1 avocado, mashed
• 1/4 cabbage, shredded
• 50 g baby spinach
• A bunch fresh mint and coriander / cilantro sprigs
• 2 small cucumbers, cut into boats
• 1/2 cup /100 ml toasted coconut flakes
• 1 tbsp nigella seeds or black sesame seeds
• a few lime halves for serving