British Recipes: Pancakes ( includes some great filling ideas)

Pancakes

A pancake, also known as a hotcake or flapjack is a thin, flat, round cake prepared from a batter and cooked on a hot griddle or frying pan. In Britain it is made without a raising agent, and is similar to a frensh crepe. In America, a raising agent is used (typically baking powder). The American pancake is similar to a Scottish pancake or drop scone.

The Ancient Greeks made pancakes called τηγανίτης (tēganitēs), the word indicates from τάγηνον (tagēnon), meaning "frying pan". The earliest  references on tagenias are in the works of the 5th century BC Greek  poets. Tagenites were made with wheat flour, olive oil, honey and curdled milk, and were served for breakfast.  The word Pancake appears in English in the 1400s.

I like to call these rather a British recipe as in Britain and the Commonwealth, they are associated with Shrove Tuesday, commonly known as Pancake day, when perishable ingredients had to be used up before the fasting period of Lent began. So to the British it is still a very ongoing traditional recipe as in other countries it is more commonly used as a Breakfast dish, desert or just a snack. Still till this day Pancake day is celebrated trough out The British Isles and the Commonwealth Countries.

Serves: makes 8 pancakes

Ingredients:

220 grams of plain flour, siffed

a pinch of salt

2 large eggs

1 pint of milk 

50 grams of butter

Step 1:

Start with sifting your flour and a pinch salt over a large mixing bowl, try holding your sift high over the bowl to get some air into your mixture.

Step 2:

Make a little well into the centre of your flour and break your two eggs so they are sat in the middle of your flour. Whisk the eggs into your flour and make sure that all the flour is mixed in well so it forms a pasty dough.

Step 3:

Gradually pour in the milk in small amounts while mixing it all together, keep adding milk while whisking your dough into a batter.

Whisk with short strokes so you create airbubbles in your batter, it needs to be the consistency of thick cream, now leave it to rest for 30 minutes before cooking it will give you a better pancake.

Step 4:

Melt 50 grams of butter in a frying pan over medium heat, when your butter has melted take two tablespoons of butter out your pan and whisk this into your pancake batter it will make sure your pancake cooks better and trough out.

Step 5:

To your frying pan with the melted butter you now add your pancake mixture, Pour around 2 tablespoons of batter into your frying pan. As soon as it hits your frying pan make sure you divide the batter even over the bottom of the frying pan by either using your spoon or rolling your pan from side to side.

Step 6:

Cook on a low heat, you will see your pancake batter turn to a solid state. Lift your pancake with a spatula or knife and turn over to cook the other side, your cooked side should now be golden brown.

Cook the other side for a shorter while because it is already cooked and just needs to be browned of.

Step 7:

When cooked you just slide it out of your pan onto a plate and add any topping you desire, I will mention some awesome pancake TIPS below.

You could also make a big pancake tower by making more batter and stacking the cooked pancakes up on top of each other topped with some melted butter and syrup ( Maple syrup tastes amazing)

Tips :

Sweet fillings:

- Melted chocolate, banana and cream

- Spiced Oranges and Ice cream

- Ice cream, crushed walnuts, cream and Honey

- Fresh lemon juice and Sugar 

- Peanut butter and Chocolade

- Mascapone, whipped cream and summer fruits

- Strawberry or Peaches and whipped cream

- Maple syrup and pear

- Banana and toffee sauce

savoury fillings:

- fried mushrooms and onions

- Grilled Bacon, mushrooms and onions

- Chilli con carne

- Bolognaise sauce with meatballs or grilled vegetables

- Ham and cheese

- Cheese and onion

- Mushroom and squash

- Bacon and Maple syrup

- Smoked salmon with lemon or egg salad

As you can see a Pancake is just a base to so many delicious creations, These are just a view of the creations i have tryed myself but if you have one that stands out then please be so kind to comment on this post and i will add them to the lists of toppings.

Now in Britain they would say " Enjoy your meal".

Where can we find Britain in the world?

 

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