Italian baked spinach and ricotta crespelle pancakes

Ingredients

For the pancakes

• 2 large British Lion eggs
• 75g/3oz plain flour
• Pinch of salt
• 200ml/7floz milk
• A little oil for frying

For the filling

• 30ml/2tbsp olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 clove garlic, crushed
• 350g/12oz fresh leaf spinach, washed
• 1 (250g) tub ricotta cheese
• 50g/2oz finely grated Parmesan cheese*
• 2.5ml/1/2tsp freshly grated nutmeg
• 1 (345g) jar ready-made tomato pasta sauce

*To make this recipe suitable for vegetarians use a vegetarian alternative, such as supermarket own brand 'Italian hard cheese'

Method

1. Place the flour, salt and eggs in a large bowl, add half the milk and whisk well until the mixture is lump free. Add the remaining milk and whisk again until smooth. Pour into a jug.

2. Heat a 20cm/8in diameter non-stick frying pan until hot, drizzle a little oil over the centre and wipe around the pan with a piece of kitchen paper. Pour a little of the batter into the pan and immediately tilt the pan to spread the batter evenly over the base of the pan. Cook for 2 minutes or until the top is set and the base golden. Flip over using a spatula and cook for a further 1-2 minutes or until the base is golden. Make another 7 pancakes in the same way and set aside.

3. To make the filling: heat the oil in a medium pan, add the onion and sauté until soft - about 4 minutes. Add the garlic, then spinach and squash down into the pan. Cover with a lid and cook for 4 minutes or until the leaves are wilted.

4. Tip the spinach into a sieve and press out the excess liquid. Tip into a bowl and mix in the ricotta, half the Parmesan, nutmeg and plenty of salt and pepper to taste.

5. Lay the pancakes out on the work surface and divide the filling between them spooning it down the middle of each. Fold the sides over the filling, then roll up the pancakes. Place seam side down in an ovenproof dish.

6. Preheat the oven to 200C/400F/Gas Mark 6. Spoon the sauce over the top of the pancakes, spooning it in a line down the centre of the pancakes. Sprinkle over the remaining Parmesan cheese. Bake for 20 minutes or until piping hot and crisp. Serve hot with a crisp salad.

Our thanks to British Lion Eggs for providing this recipe.

For more Shrove Tuesday ideas visit our pancake recipe hub