Classic French Crepes Basic Crepes Food

FRENCH CREPES

Steps:

• Sift together flour, sugar and salt; set aside. In a large bowl, beat eggs and milk together with an electric mixer. Beat in flour mixture until smooth; stir in melted butter.
• Heat a lightly oiled griddle or frying pan over medium high heat. Pour or scoop the batter onto the griddle, using approximately 2 tablespoons for each crepe. Tip and rotate pan to spread batter as thinly as possible. Brown on both sides and serve hot.

BASIC CREPES

Steps:

• Make the crepes: Whisk the eggs together in a medium-size mixing bowl. Slowly add the melted butter and whisk until combined. Sift in the flour and salt and stir until combined. Slowly add in the milk. The batter should be runny. Strain the batter and let it rest, refrigerated, for at least 1 hour.
• When you are ready to cook, put a little melted butter into a nonstick pan and put it over medium heat. Ladle the crepe batter into the pan tilting the pan while adding the batter to completely and evenly coat the bottom of the pan. This will take a little practice; usually the first crepe gets scrapped. Once the edge of the crepe begins to pull away from the pan, after about 1 to 2 minutes, use a spatula to get under the crepe and use your fingers to turn it over. The crepe should be golden brown. Cook for 1 minute on the other side, remove it from the pan, and put it onto a plate. Repeat making and stacking crepes, adding more butter to the pan as needed, until all the batter has been used.
• Make the bechamel: In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, melt the butter. Stir in the flour and cook for 3 to 4 minutes to cook out the raw flour flavor, but do not let it brown. Pour in the milk, whisking constantly to avoid lumps. Season with salt, lower the heat to medium, and cook until the sauce thickens, about 5 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the cheese. Keep warm.
• For the filling: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over medium heat. Add the asparagus and blanch for about 1 minute, just enough time to set the color but not to overcook it. Immediately plunge the asparagus into a bowl of salted ice water to stop the cooking. When the asparagus is cool, drain and cut it into 1-inch pieces, keeping the tips aside.
• Heat a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add the butter and shallots and cook until the shallots are soft, about 5 minutes. Pour in the wine and let it reduce by half. Add the chicken, tomatoes and chopped basil and cook until they are warmed through, about 3 minutes. Add the asparagus and 1 cup of the reserved bechamel. Taste and adjust the seasoning.
• Lay a crepe on your work surface. Spoon a couple of tablespoons of the chicken mixture down the center of the crepe. Roll up the crepe like a cigar. Repeat with remaining crepes and filling. (Alternately, spoon the filling mixture over 1 half of the crepe, fold the crepe in half, then in half again to form a triangle).
• To serve, put 2 crepes onto each serving plate. Spoon some of the bechamel sauce over the crepes and garnish with the reserved asparagus tips and some basil leaves. Serve immediately.

EASY FRENCH CRêPES

Steps:

• Melt the Butter and set aside to cool down.
• In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the Plain Flour, Caster Sugar and Salt. Create a well in the middle of the bowl.
• Mix the melted Butter and Milk (see note 1), then pour about 2/3 of the batter into the well. Mix well with a whisk until you get a thick batter.
• In a separate bowl, whisk together the Eggs (see note 2), then add it to the Batter. Whisk until combined and smooth - you should not have big lumps anymore.
• Add the rest of the Butter/Milk Liquid and whisk well until all combined. You should have a rather liquid batter (see note 3). Cover the bowl and place in the fridge to rest for at least an hour, or up to 24 hours (see note 4).
• Heat up a Non-Stick Skillet or Crepe Pan on medium/high heat and grease it with a little bit of butter.
• Pour some batter over the Pan: - if using a regular pan, hold the pan on an angle while pouring the batter and continuously turn the pan around in a rotating movement to spread the batter- if using a crepe pan, use the crepe spreader to spread the batter, doing one circular movement from the centre of the pan
• Cook for 1 to 2 minutes, or until the edges of the crepe start to lift up. Use a wooden spatula to go under the crepe and flip it over. Cook the other side for about 1 minute.
• Place the cooked crepe on a plate and repeat until you have cooked all the batter. Adjust the temperature of the stove if needed, and re-grease the pan between each crepe if they seem to stick to it.

FRENCH CREPES

Steps:

• Put the flour and salt in a bowl. Make a well. Pour in the slightly beaten eggs into the well. Stir with a fork until mixed.
• Stir in the rum. Add the milk slowly, stirring constantly with a fork. The batter should be smooth, so any lumps need to the broken up and blended inches Let the batter sit for 30 minutes before proceeding.
• Brush a crepe or heavy frying pan (any size) with melted butter.
• When the pan is hot, pour in just enough batter to thinly cover the bottom of the pan. Tilt the pan so the base is completely covered with batter. Cook crepe until golden on the bottom (1 minute or so). Flip with a metal spatula, and cook until the second side is golden.
• Transfer crepe to a plate and cover with foil to keep warm.
• Repeat the cooking process until the batter is used.
• Unfilled crepes can be well wrapped and frozen.
• The recipe can be halved, but then use only two eggs.

EASY CRêPES

Steps:

• Weigh the flour in a large jug or bowl. Crack in the eggs, add half the milk and a pinch of salt. Whisk to a smooth, thick batter. Add the remaining milk and whisk again. Set aside for at least 30 mins.
• Heat a large non-stick crêpe pan or frying pan. Add a drizzle of oil, then wipe out the excess with kitchen paper. When the pan is hot, add enough batter to just cover the surface, swirling it and pouring any excess back into the bowl. The pancake should be as thin as possible. When the edges are peeling away from the sides of the pan, shake it to see if the pancake easily releases and is browning on the underside. If not, cook a little longer. Flip and cook the other side for a minute or two. Serve, or keep warm in a low oven.

BASIC CREPES

Steps:

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

CLASSIC CREPES

Steps:

• Sift flour and salt into a large bowl. Whisk together milk and eggs in a medium bowl. Pour milk mixture into flour mixture, whisking to combine. Whisk in butter. Strain mixture into a medium bowl, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours (or up to 1 day). Batter should be the consistency of heavy cream; add more milk if needed.
• Heat an 8- or 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium heat, and brush with butter. Ladle or pour 3 tablespoons batter (for small crepes) or 1/3 cup batter (for large crepes) into pan, turning and tilting skillet to coat bottom evenly with batter. Cook until top of crepe appears set, bottom is firm and golden brown in spots, and center is lifted by pockets of air, about 1 minute.
• Run a spatula around edge of crepe to loosen. Slip spatula under crepe, and gently flip in one swift gesture. (If it doesn't land quite right, that's okay; use the spatula to unfold or rearrange it.) Cook until bottom is firm and golden brown in spots, about 45 seconds. Transfer to a plate, and cover. (The first one will not be your finest.) Repeat with remaining batter, brushing pan lightly with butter as needed (every 2 or 3 crepes). Serve immediately.

CREPES

Steps:

• Combine flour, milk, eggs, and oil.
• Add salt.
• Heat a lightly greased 6 inch skillet; remove from heat.
• Spoon in 2 Tbsp batter; lift and tilt skillet to spread evenly.
• Return to heat; brown on one side only.
• To remove, invert pan over paper toweling.
• Repeat with remaining batter.
• Fill with your favorite filling.
• Here's a few we like: Any flavor fruit jam, sweetened fresh peaches, cream cheese and pineapple, ham and maple syrup.
• Endless ideas.

THE TRADITIONAL FRENCH CREPES RECIPE

Steps:

• In a large mixing bowl whisk the flour, sugar, and salt until combined. Then create a well with dried ingredients and add the eggs. Gradually pour in milk, whisking to combine after each addition.
• The batter should be fairly fluid. If it seems too thick, add a little more milk. Then add the melted butter, mix well. Let the batter stands at room temperature until slightly bubbly on top, 30 to 60 minutes.
• Heat a non-stick pan. Add butter to coat. Pour 2-3 tablespoons of batter into the center of the pan and swirl to spread evenly. Cook for 2 minutes, then flip and cook 1 minute more.
• Lay them out flat so they can cool. Continue until all batter is gone. After they have cooled you can stack them and store them in sealable plastic bags in the refrigerator for several days or in the freezer for up to two months. When using frozen crepes, thaw on a rack before gently peeling apart.

CLASSIC CRêPES

Steps:

• Sift the flour with a pinch of salt into a medium-size bowl and make a well in the middle. Mix the milk and 100ml of water together. Break the eggs into the well and start whisking slowly. Add the milk and water in a steady stream, whisking constantly and gradually incorporating the flour as you do so.
• Whisk until the batter is smooth and all the flour has been incorporated. Set the batter aside to rest for 30 mins, then whisk the melted butter into the batter.
• Heat the pan over a medium heat. Very lightly grease the pan with melted butter. Using a ladle, pour roughly 2 tbsp of batter into the pan and swirl it around so the bottom of the pan is evenly coated. You want to use just enough batter to make a delicate, lacy pancake. Cook the pancake for about 45 secs on one side until golden and then using a palette knife or fish slice, flip the pancake over and cook the other side for about 30 secs until it freckles.
• Slide the pancake out of the pan and either serve immediately or stack on a plate with baking parchment in between. Continue until all the batter is used up.

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.

CLASSIC CREPES

Steps:

• Add the flour, sugar, salt, milk, eggs, and cooled melted butter into the canister of a high-speed blender.
• Blend on high for 30 seconds, or until there are no lumps. I like to scrape down the sides and the bottom to make sure there are no flour lumps. The flour can sometimes stick to the bottom of the blender, so I scrape it down the blend again for a few more seconds.
• Place the blender with the top on directly into the fridge to rest for at least 30 minutes, or up to 36 hours, before you actually make the crepes. Do not skip this step, the batter needs to rest in order for your crepes to properly turn out.
• Place a paper towel on a plate; set aside.
• Grease an8-inch nonstick skillet with butter and using a 1/4-cup measure, fill it about three-quarters full which is 3 tablespoons with batter. For slightly bigger crepes, you can fill it full which is 4 tablespoons. Tip - I don't recommend making them larger than 4 tablespoons because they just simply get too thick, which isn't at all how you want your crepes.
• After adding the batter to the skillet, you need to work very quickly! Swirl the batter along the bottom of the pan evenly. Let it cook for 90 seconds, or just until the crepe will start to lift slightly along the edge.
• Take an offset spatula and lift up the side of the crepe. Use your fingers carefully and flip the crepe over. Allow it to cook for an additional 45 to 60 seconds on the second side. The crepe should be lightly golden brown on all sides when done.
• Place the crepe on top of the paper-towel-lined plate; set aside. Continue with the rest of the batter in the same process and form, and place the finished crepes on top of each other in a stack on the plate.
• Serve simply and classically with a dusting of confectioners' sugar, or go all out and fill or top them with all your favorite things. See topping/filling ideas below*.
• There is nothing better than fresh crepes, but since this may not always be possible, you can make them up to 48 hours in advance. Store them airtight in the fridge and then serve them when you're ready.
• Additionally, as noted, the crepe batter can be made up to 36 hours in advance and stored in the fridge until you're ready to make them.

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.