Pancake Day

I know Pancake Day is really a day to clear out your cupboards and eat old leftovers before lent starts, but I don’t think there’s anything wrong with a bit of a treat on Pancake Day. And pancakes shouldn’t be reserved just for this one day every year; they can be a breakfast treat on a weekend or birthday, or an afternoon snack if friends are coming over. There is no end to the possibilities for occasions or flavours. They can be fat ones or thin ones, small ones or large ones, with fillings or without….. And the list goes on. I’ve given some examples here, all using the same base that I’ve just added different flavours to.

Serves 2 people as breakfast

Pancake Base

100g flour (I’ve used Doves farm gluten free white bread flour)

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 medium egg

100 ml whole milk

1 tablespoon melted butter

Sift the flour and baking powder into a large bowl. (If you are adding any other dry ingredients such as sugar or spices, add these now.)

Add the egg and milk, and whisk carefully. Make sure you whisk carefully and not for too long, as this can give the pancakes a more rubbery texture.

Add your flavours and mix into the batter. Leave the batter to rest for about 20 minutes. This gives the pancakes a better consistency and gives the flavours a chance to blend together and develop. But if you are in a hurry there’s nothing stopping you from frying them straight away.

Melt the butter and add to the base just before frying.

Heat a frying pan to medium heat. Add a knob of butter, or if you’ve got a non stick pan you won’t need this. Pour a little batter onto the frying pan, and cook for a couple of minutes on each side. Keep an eye on the temperature to make sure they don’t get burned.

 

American Style Jammy Pancakes

 

Jammy pancakes are great for those afternoons when you just need a little encouragement to get that great project started…

1 tablespoon cottage cheese

1 tablespoon strawberry jam

icing sugar and fresh strawberries for serving (optional)

American Style Banana and Raisin Pancakes

This recipe gives deliciously lumpy pancakes; they’re fantastic to share with good friends over a cup of steaming tea.

1 teaspoon ground cardamom

1 ripe banana

2 tablespoons seedless raisins

maple syrup, banana and raisins for serving (optional)

Cinnamon and Honey Pancakes

This makes quite a runny batter and thin pancakes, if you want them to be thick American style, use less milk. The warming cinnamon and sumptuous honey makes them a great comfort food on a rainy Sunday morning.

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

2 teaspoons honey (runny honey is easier to work with, but use one that you think tastes great)

maple syrup or runny honey for serving (optional)