Basic Whole Wheat French Crepes Food

HEALTHIER BASIC CREPES

Steps:

• Whisk together flour and eggs in a large mixing bowl. Gradually add milk and water, stirring to combine. Mix in butter and salt and beat until smooth.
• Heat a lightly oiled griddle or frying pan over medium-high heat. Pour or scoop 1/4 cup batter onto griddle. Tilt pan with a circular motion so batter coats the surface evenly.
• Cook crepe until bottom is light brown, about 2 minutes. Loosen with a spatula, turn and cook other side. Serve hot with yogurt, maple syrup, and blueberries.

EASY FRENCH CREPES

Steps:

• Place water, milk, flour, eggs and salt into blender (in that order makes it easier to scrape the unmixed flour off the sides) and blend at lowest setting.
• After 30 seconds pour in melted butter and continue to blend at lowest setting for two minutes (make sure to stop the blender after about 15 seconds and scrape any unmixed flour off the sides).
• Warm a non-stick crepe pan (8" or 10" pans are the best size) over medium heat.
• Starting with the crepe pan already tilted, pour in 1/4 cup to 1/3 cup of batter (depending on pan size) and quickly tilt the pan spreading the batter to the edges (this should make for a nice thin crepe).
• Once the edges start to curl up slightly, inspect the under-side to see if it's a light golden-brown.
• This step is up to you, but some people like to flip the crepe for about 10-15 seconds just to give it a more "finished off" look.
• Fill with fruit or Nutella or cinnamon-sugar, or my favorite, ham & Gruyère (don't forget to add pepper!).

CLASSIC FRENCH CREPES (BASIC CREPES)

Steps:

• Place the milk and eggs in a jug/bowl. Whisk to combine (you should have about 2 cups of liquid).
• Add the oil or butter and whisk it in.
• Place the flour, salt and sugar in a large bowl.
• Add about ¾ - 1 cup of the liquid and mix gently to form a smooth paste. This should not take more than a few seconds. Take care not to over-mix.
• Add the rest of the liquid and mix to form a smooth, watery batter.
• Cover the batter and let it rest for at least 20 - 30 minutes. The batter can be kept in the fridge overnight as well (or upto 2 days)
• Add the ingredients into the blender. Add the flour last. Blend for a few seconds until you have a smooth batter. You can use a stick blender as well for this purpose.
• Cover the batter and let it rest for at least 20 - 30 minutes. The batter can be kept in the fridge overnight as well (or upto 2 days)
• Preheat a 10 inch non-stick pan over medium heat.
• Brush a layer of butter on the heated pan. I used a silicone brush, but you can use a butter soaked paper towel or cloth as well.
• Always mix the batter first, before you make each crepe. This is to make sure the batter is uniformly mixed.
• Pour ¼ cup of the batter into the hot pan, and swirl to coat the bottom of the pan. Swirl and spread the batter along the edge of the pan first and then fill the middle with the remaining crepe batter. Make sure the batter is as evenly spread as possible.
• Place the pan back on the heat to let the crepe cook.
• For extra soft crepes - cook the crepes only until they are just set at the surface (about 30 seconds) and there's no browning on the edges. You can flip over the crepe gently, and cook for a few seconds on the other side (optional), or remove the crepe from pan and place it on a plate.
• For classic crepes - cook the crepes until the edges are starting to brown become a little crisp (about 40 seconds). Flip the crepes over and cook for a further 10 - 15 seconds on the other side until the crepes have caramelized spots.
• Repeat until all the batter is used up (remember to mix the batter each time).
• Stack the cooked crepes on a plate or wire rack.
• If the crepes are no longer warm when you're ready to serve them, place another plate over your stack of crepes and microwave for about 30 seconds until the crepes are warm. Then remove the second plate quickly so that the crepes don't become soggy with steam/moisture.
• Serve the crepes with any kind of filling you like. Or you can follow the steps below for lemon and sugar crepes.
• Place a crepe on a plate or flat surface.
• Sprinkle about 1 tsp of sugar over one half of the crepe and fold over in half. Then fold over one more time into quarters. Repeat with all the crepes.
• Serve the French crepes with fresh lemon slices (that can be squeezed over the crepes before eating), and whipped cream.

SIMPLE CREPES

Steps:

• In a blender, puree flour, sugar, salt, milk, eggs, and butter until smooth, about 30 seconds. Refrigerate for 30 minutes or up to 1 day; stir for a few seconds before using.
• Heat an 8-inch nonstick skillet over medium. Lightly coat with butter. Quickly pour 1/4 cup batter into center of skillet, tilting and swirling pan until batter evenly coats bottom. Cook until crepe is golden in places on bottom and edges begin to lift from pan, 1 to 1 1/2 minutes. Lift one edge of crepe with an offset spatula, then use your fingers to gently flip crepe. Cook on second side until just set and golden in places on bottom, about 45 seconds. Slide crepe onto a paper towel-lined plate.
• Repeat with remaining batter, coating pan with more butter as needed, and stacking crepes directly on top of one another. Let cool to room temperature before using, wrapping in plastic wrap and refrigerating up to 5 days, or freezing up to 1 month.

SAVORY CREPES FLORENTINE

Steps:

• To prepare the filling:.
• In a large bowl, combine the ricotta or tofu, spinach, onion, egg, salt, black pepper, and nutmeg.
• To prepare the sauce:.
• Melt the butter in a heavy medium size saucepan over moderate heat.
• Add the flour, and cook, stirring constantly, until bubbly-2 to 3 minutes.
• Slowly blend in the milk and bring to a boil, stirring constantly.
• Reduce the heat to low and simmer, still stirring, for 3 to 4 minutes or until thickened and smooth.
• Remove from the heat and stir in the cheese, white pepper, and mace.
• One at a time, place each crepe with the most attractive side facedown, so that it will be on the outside when rolled.
• Spoon 3 to 4 tbls.
• of filling down the center, then fold the sides over.
• The crepe should be snugly filled, but not so stuffed that the filling spills out at the ends.
• Preheat the oven to 350*F.
• Lay the crepes seam side down, just touching one another, in a lightly greased, 13"x9"x2" baking dish.
• Pour the sauce over all; top with the Parmesan cheese.
• At this point, the crepes can be stored.
• refrigerate in the baking dish, tightly covered, for up to 24 hours.
• (From the refrigerator, preheat the oven to 400*F. Bake, covered, for 15 to 20 minutes. Uncover and proceed baking for 30 to 40 minutes, as stated below) Freeze in the labeled, tightly covered dish for up to 1 month at 0*F (From freezer,Preheat the oven to 400*F. Do not thaw the crepes. Bake, uncovered, for 1 to 1 1/4 hours or until the crepes are heated through and the sauce is simmering. Brown and serve as states below).
• Bake the crepes, uncovered, for 30 to 40 minutes or until the sauce is bubbling.
• run them under the broiler until browned-2 to 3 minutes.
• Accompany with a salad of sliced tomatoes and red onions with a creamy vinaigrette.
• Enjoy!
• Serves 6.