Classic Crumpets Pancakes With Wild Blossom Honey Food

CLASSIC CRUMPETS

Steps:

• Stir the all-purpose and bread flours together with the sugar, yeast and cream of tartar. Add the water and stir with a wooden spoon until blended and smooth - the batter will be dense but sticky. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and set aside to rise on the counter for an hour. The batter may rise and fall during this time, but that is OK.
• Stir the milk, baking soda and salt together in a small dish and add this to the batter all at once, stirring until blended - the batter will be wet but stretchy.
• Preheat a griddle over medium heat and grease it well. Grease 3 to 4 (as many as can fit on your griddle) 4-inch (10 cm) tart rings well and place them on the griddle. Spoon enough batter into each ring so that it spreads to fill the ring and is about ½ -inch (25 mm) full. Cook the crumpets for about 5 minutes, loosening the rings part way through, until golden brown on the bottom (and bubbles break through the top of each crumpet), then remove the rings, flip, and cook another 1-2 minutes, but not brown. Remove the crumpets to a plate and continue making until all of the batter has been used.

HOMEMADE CRUMPETS WITH BURNT HONEY BUTTER

Steps:

• Gently heat the milk in a small pan until it starts to bubble around the edges, then leave it to cool until it is tepid. Put the flour, yeast, sugar and ½ tsp fine salt in a large bowl, and gradually mix in the cooled milk to make a smooth, loose batter. Cover and leave to rise in a warm place for 1hr-1hr 30 mins or until doubled in size and very bubbly.
• Meanwhile, make the honey butter. Heat the honey in a small saucepan over a medium-high heat. Let it bubble until it turns to a deep gold, then remove and cool slightly. Using electric beaters or a wooden spoon, beat the butter in a large bowl until fluffy and pale, add a large pinch of sea salt, then fold in the warm honey. Scrape into a serving bowl and chill. Can be made a day ahead.
• When the batter has risen, heat the grill to high. Lightly grease the insides of 4 x 9cm metal cooks' rings with oil. Heat a large non-stick frying pan over a low-medium heat, add 1 tbsp oil and put the rings in the pan. Spoon the batter into the rings until they are half full. Let the crumpets cook slowly for about 10 mins or until the mixture has set and the bubbles on top have all popped. Lift the rings away carefully. If your pan has a heatproof handle, grill the crumpets in the pan for 7-10 mins or until the tops are golden brown. If not, transfer to a baking sheet and grill them on that instead. Can be made up to a day ahead or frozen. Warm through in an oven at 140C/120C fan/gas 1 if you've made them in advance. Repeat with the remaining mix, then serve with the burnt honey butter.