Classic Crepe Suzette Food

CLASSIC CRêPES SUZETTE

Steps:

• Sift the flour and salt into a large mixing bowl with a sieve held high above the bowl so the flour gets an airing. Now make a well in the centre of the flour and break the eggs into it. Then begin whisking the eggs - any sort of whisk or even a fork will do - incorporating any bits of flour from around the edge of the bowl as you do so.
• Next gradually add small quantities of the milk and water mixture, still whisking (don't worry about any lumps as they will eventually disappear as you whisk). When all the liquid has been added, use a rubber spatula to scrape any elusive bits of flour from around the edge into the centre, then whisk once more until the batter is smooth, with the consistency of thin cream. Now melt the 50g/2oz of butter in a pan. Spoon 2 tbsp of it into the batter and whisk it in, then pour the rest into a bowl and use it to lubricate the pan, using a wodge of kitchen paper to smear it round before you make each pancake. Stir the orange zest and caster sugar into the batter.
• Now get the pan really hot, then turn the heat down to medium and, to start with, do a test pancake to see if you're using the correct amount of batter. These little crêpes should be thinner than the basic pancakes, so when you're making them, use ½ tbsp of batter at a time in a 18cm/7in pan. It's also helpful if you spoon the batter into a ladle so it can be poured into the hot pan in one go. As soon as the batter hits the hot pan, tip it around from side to side to get the base evenly coated with batter. It should take only half a minute or so to cook; you can lift the edge with a palette knife to see if it's tinged gold as it should be. Flip the pancake over with a pan slice or palette knife - the other side will need a few seconds only - then simply slide it out of the pan onto a plate. If the pancakes look a little bit ragged in the pan, no matter because they are going to be folded anyway. You should end up with 15-16 crêpes.
• Stack the pancakes as you make them between sheets of greaseproof paper on a plate fitted over simmering water, to keep them warm while you make the rest.
• For the sauce, mix all the ingredients - with the exception of the butter - in a bowl. At the same time warm the plates on which the crêpes are going to be served. Now melt the butter in the frying pan, pour in the sauce and allow it to heat very gently. Then place the first crêpes in the pan and give it time to warm through before folding it in half and then in half again to make a triangular shape. Slide this onto the very edge of the pan, tilt the pan slightly so the sauce runs back into the centre, then add the next crêpe. Continue like this until they're all re-heated, folded and well soaked with the sauce.
• You can flame them at this point if you like. Heat a ladle by holding it over a gas flame or by resting it on the edge of a hotplate, then, away from the heat, pour a little liqueur or brandy into it, return it to the heat to warm the spirit, then set light to it. Carry the flaming ladle to the table over the pan and pour the flames over the crêpes before serving on the warmed plates.

ORIGINAL FRENCH CRêPES SUZETTE

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• In a big bowl, vigorously whisk the flour, milk, water, eggs, 2 tablespoons of melted butter, orange juice, orange zest, and salt until the batter is completely smooth. Allow the batter to rest in the refrigerator for at least 20 minutes before making the crêpes.
• Use some of the remaining melted butter to grease a crêpe pan , large skillet, or nonstick skillet. Heat up over low-medium heat.
• Add 3 tablespoons of batter to the pan and swirl it until the bottom of the pan is covered with batter.
• Cook the crêpe for 1 minute, or until the crêpe is slightly moist on top and golden underneath.
• Loosen the edges of the crêpe, slide a spatula under it, and then gently flip it. If you don't have a spatula, use your fingers, a fork, or carefully flip it in the air using just the pan.
• Cook for 1 minute and transfer the cooked crêpe to a plate to keep warm. Repeat the process with the remaining batter, lightly greasing the pan with melted butter every time. Set aside.
• In a large skillet set over medium heat, melt half of the butter until it foams.
• Remove the skillet from the heat and sprinkle half of the sugar over the melted butter.
• Carefully add half of the orange liqueur. The mixture will ignite.
• When the flame goes out, add each crêpe to the pan to coat both sides in the orange syrup.
• Fold the crêpes into quarters or roll them up.
• Melt the remaining butter in the same skillet, remove it from the heat, and add the remaining sugar and Grand Marnier.
• For serving, place 1 or 2 crêpes per person on a plate, top with a scoop of ice cream, and drizzle with orange syrup. Serve immediately.
• Enjoy.

CREPES SUZETTE

Steps:

• Whisk together the flour and salt in a medium bowl. Whisk together the eggs and sugar in a large bowl until pale. Whisk in 1 1/2 cups of the milk, orange liqueur, vanilla, and orange zest and flour until combined. If the mixture is too thick, add the remaining milk until a thin consistency is achieved. Cover and refrigerate batter for 30 minutes.
• Heat an 8-inch crepe pan or skillet over medium heat for about 1 minute. Cover the surface of the pan with clarified butter until it gets sizzling hot. Ladle some batter onto the middle of the crepe pan and immediately start swirling the pan to distribute the batter over the surface. Cook for 45 to 60 seconds or until lightly golden brown. Flip over and cook the other side for 20 seconds. Remove to a plate and repeat with the remaining batter.
• In a large skillet over high heat, bring the orange juice to a boil. Add the sugar and zest, reduce the heat to a simmer, and cook until the sugar has melted and the mixture is slightly reduced, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and add the orange liqueur and orange sections. Set aside.
• Working in batches, gently place a crepe into the pan holding the orange juice and orange sections. Leave for 1 minute to absorb some juice. Using a narrow spatula, remove the crepe to a warm serving plate. Repeat with remaining crepes. Roll the crepes into a cylinder. Spoon on some of the orange sections. Serve 2 crepes per person. Top with vanilla ice cream and serve immediately.

CRêPES SUZETTE

Steps:

• Prepare pancakes following the classic recipe - see 'Goes well with'. Fold the pancakes into quarters.
• Tip the caster sugar into a non-stick frying pan and set the pan over a low-medium heat. Allow the sugar to melt slowly without stirring and continue to cook until it becomes a deep amber-coloured caramel.
• Immediately slide the pan off the heat and add the orange juice - be careful as it may splatter and spit as it hits the hot caramel. Add the orange zest, lemon juice, the Grand Marnier and return the pan to a low heat to re-melt the caramel into the liquid.
• Add the butter to the sauce in small pieces, bring to the boil and simmer gently until glossy and reduced slightly. Add the pancakes to the pan and warm through. Serve immediately.