Pönnukökur (Icelandic Pancakes) With Sweetened Skyr and Preserved Blueberries

Here is the recipe for Chef Paul Virant’s dish from the November 2020 Taste of Iceland virtual demo (view video below). We hope you enjoy!

“In my research of attempting to discover and have a better understanding of Icelandic food and culture, I discovered these. Very similar to French crepes, a little thicker, and has a lightness due to the leavening agent. Endless opportunities on what to serve with these. I opted for sweetened skyr (an Icelandic cultured dairy product, similar to Greek yogurt) alongside some Jar Sessions Blueberry Aigre-Doux and a healthy dusting of powdered sugar.” —Chef Paul Virant

Yields 4 to 5 4-ounce pancakes

Adapted from Honest Cooking website, by Mansi Desai

Ingredients

1 cup AP flour
1 tablespoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 eggs
3 ounces or 6 tablespoons melted butter
1 1/4 cup warm milk
cinnamon, sugar and powdered sugar for sprinkling on and dusting the pancakes

1 container of skyr (Icelandic Provisions brand), plus sugar or honey to sweeten
1 7-ounce Jar Sessions Blueberry Aigre-Doux

Directions

To prepare the pönnukökur:

Warm the milk and butter in a saucepan.

Combine the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt in a mixing bowl, mix well with a whisk.

Add the vanilla and eggs, mix again.

Slowly pour the milk mixture into the mixing bowl, mix until smooth.

Cover and let rest for 15 minutes to hydrate the flour.

Preheat a 9-10” cast iron or nonstick pan, medium heat.

Brush with butter or use pan spray.

Pour enough batter to evenly coat the pan, lifting it to create a swirl (around 4 ounces or 1/2 cup).

Cook until pancake is lightly brown, turn it over to brown the other side.

Once cooked, flip it onto a plate to sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon. Roll it up tightly or stack on a plate for folding in skyr and preserves or fruit.

To reduce the Blueberry Aigre-Doux:

Open a 7-ounce jar of Blueberry Aigre-Doux, place contents in a saucepan and reduce by close to half. Place in serving dish.

To serve:

Sweeten some skyr with honey or sugar, place in a dish.

Serve the sweetened skyr and reduced Blueberry Aigre-Doux alongside the warm pancakes, dust with powdered sugar.

Suggested pairing: Brennivín—unsweetened schnapps, considered to be Iceland's signature distilled beverage

Pönnukökur (Icelandic Pancakes) With Sweetened Skyr and Preserved Blueberries