For the pancake dough:
WITH
225g plain flour, sifted; pinch of salt; 170ml boiling water; 1tbsp oil, for brushing
METHOD:
1. In a large bowl, knead the flour, salt and water until you have a smooth, elastic dough, about five minutes, adding a teaspoon more flour if it seems too sticky. Wrap in plastic wrap and rest for about 30 minutes.
2. Preheat the oven to 200°C. Place the shredded jackfruit in a loaf tin. Whisk together the sesame oil, ginger, wine, five spice, black pepper and soy sauce and pour over the jackfruit. Roast for 15-20 minutes or until very tender .
3. Unwrap the dough, roll it into a log and divide into 12.
4. Roll each piece into a ball, then flatten slightly with the palm of your hand. Brush a thin layer of oil over six of the flattened dough balls, then place the unoiled dough balls on top. Use a rolling pin to roll out each sandwich into a flat pancake, flipping it midway so both sides are rolled evenly.
5. Set a dry non-stick frying pan over medium heat, place a pancake in it and cook until it is puffy and the bottom is flecked with brown, about two to three minutes. Flip it and cook the other side for two to three minutes, then remove. Carefully separate the two layers to give you two pancakes. Keep on a plate, covered with a clean tea towel. Repeat until you have 12.
6. Transfer the jackfruit to a serving platter. To eat, scoop a bit of jackfruit onto a pancake, top with a drizzle of hoisin sauce and slivers of carrot, cucumber and spring onion, then wrap and enjoy. EVERY year I give a nod to Fairtrade Fortnight and here I am again, nodding. In the next few days, thousands of people in the UK will be recognising the efforts of farmers who live in some of the world’s poorest countries.
The sale of Fairtrade wines directly helps workers on wine grape plantations to increase their incomes and improve their communities. There are 42 Fairtrade wine producer organisations worldwide, across South Africa, Chile, Argentina and Lebanon, representing more than 5,000 farmers and workers.
Buy a wine with a Fairtrade logo on the label and know you’ll be enjoying a sip while helping others improve their daily lives.
Here’s a selection. ■ Cape Original Fairtrade Chenin Blanc Chardonnay (£5.49, Aldi, 12.5% abv): The grapes for this wine grow in the Western Cape of South Africa. Cape Original is one of the Fairhills range of wines which supports Fairtrade projects in the country. Its benefits have included childcare facilities on the farms, adult literacy schemes and a housing renovation programme.
The white wine is refreshingly crisp, with notes of lemon, apple
SO Organic Cabernet Sauvignon (£6.50, 13.5% abv), right, also hails from South Africa. It has a robust, welcoming, rich nose of black cherries and forest fruits, with vanilla adding a velvety softness. There’s a gentle spiciness and a hint of chocolate. The wine (which has no added sulphur) is produced and bottled by Origin Wines which also supports the Fairhills Project.
The Co-op is one of the high street’s strongest Fairtrade supporters, with several wines in its range. Co-op Fairtrade Bonarda-Malbec (£5.25, 13% abv) and a bargain at the price.
Bonarda and malbec grapes create a wine punching with plums, spice and vanilla.
The grapes are grown in the Famatina valley, in the La Rioja region of the country.
Here the La Riojana wine co-operative is the largest producer of certified Fairtrade wine in the world. Their sale of Fairtrade wines, via an exclusive partnership with UK Co-op stores, has helped build a 150,000ltr reservoir to bring much-needed water to isolated villages. If you’ve bought one of their Fairtrade wines then you’ve played a part in that vital work.
■ Also in my glass… It’s not just wine in my Fairtrade world this week. Waitrose is now stocking FAIR Vodka (£34, selected stores and waitrose.com, 70cl, left).
It is distilled from quinoa, with the grain sourced from a co-operative embracing 1,200 independent farms in the Bolivian Andes. The vodka is smooth, spicy and fruity and would be great in martinis. Fairtrade Fortnight runs from February 25 until March 10. See fairtrade.org.uk or follow #fairtradefortnight for more details. Go to fairtrade.org.uk/BuyingFairtrade/Wine to find Fairtrade wine retailers.
■ Jane is a member of the Circle of Wine Writers. Find her on social media and online as One Foot in the Grapes.