Come summers, our mind starts thinking of ways to escape the heat. Reading headlines like, “Heatwave likely” makes matters worse. We quickly look at places up in the north for our respite. Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand are the two hot spots when you think of the hilly terrains. Not only are these cooler places home to a beautiful weather and scenic beauty, they also have a lot to offer on the platter. You might not find your favourite food joints at these remote locations but there are a plethora of gems that remain unexplored. You might have seen pictures on social media, where people are having their breakfast with a view.
Pancakes feature in this view quite often. It is believed that the first pancakes were made in ancient Greece and well, since then, the world eats pancakes in their own ways. It is said that the pancakes find mention in the writings of ancient Greece and were even consumed in Rome. For those untouched by the phenomenon, pancakes are flat cakes that come in round shape and are made from a starch batter. They are topped with syrups, sauces, fruits and other condiments. India too, has joined the bandwagon and it doesn’t come as a surprise that we have our own desi version of pancakes. Originating in the pahadi region of Himachal Pradesh, Aktori is an ancient Indian-style pancake recipe which is made from a combination of buckwheat flour and wheat flour. Popular in the regions of Lahaul and Spiti, Aktori is commonly eaten for breakfast as well as for celebrations.
Packed with sweet flavours, the preparation of Aktori is quite simple and basic. A batter for the pancakes is prepared using a mix of buckwheat flour and wheat flour. Milk, baking soda and sugar is added to it. Next, the batter is smoothened in a thick consistency and it is poured on a tawa (griddle) in a circular shape. Once it is cooked on one side, it is flipped to the other and then taken out on a plate. The Aktori is usually served with ghee and honey.
Not only does it fit the bill for a great breakfast option but is also considered to be a decadent pahari sweetmeat to be eaten during festive season. Apart from the Spiti Valley, you would easily find people across Himachal Pradesh eating this delectable item too.
If you’re planning to make some pancakes for breakfast today, why not try our very own desi pancakes? Here is a recipe of Aktori that you can try.