Perfect Plate Size Pancakes Food

PERFECT PANCAKES RECIPE

Steps:

• Put 100g plain flour and a pinch of salt into a large mixing bowl.
• Make a well in the centre and crack 2 eggs into the middle.
• Pour in about 50ml from the 300ml of semi-skimmed milk and 1 tbsp sunflower oil then start whisking from the centre, gradually drawing the flour into the eggs, milk and oil. Once all the flour is incorporated, beat until you have a smooth, thick paste. Add a little more milk if it is too stiff to beat.
• Add a good splash of milk and whisk to loosen the thick batter. While still whisking, pour in a steady stream of the remaining milk. Continue pouring and whisking until you have a batter that is the consistency of slightly thick single cream.
• Heat the pan over a moderate heat, then wipe it with oiled kitchen paper.
• Ladle some batter into the pan, tilting the pan to move the mixture around for a thin and even layer. Quickly pour any excess batter into the mixing bowl, return the pan to the heat.
• Leave to cook, undisturbed, for about 30 secs. If the pan is the right temperature, the pancake should turn golden underneath after about 30 secs and will be ready to turn.
• Hold the pan handle, ease a palette knife under the pancake, then quickly lift and flip it over. Make sure the pancake is lying flat against the base of the pan with no folds, then cook for another 30 secs before turning out onto a warm plate.
• Continue with the rest of the batter, serving them as you cook or stack onto a plate. You can freeze the pancakes for 1 month, wrapped in cling film or make them up to a day ahead.

FLUFFY PANCAKES

Steps:

• If serving with pancetta, heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Line a baking tray with baking parchment and lay on the pancetta in a single layer. Put another piece of parchment on top, followed by a second baking tray, and bake for 12-15 mins until crisp.
• To make the pancakes, get a little helper to weigh out and tip the flour, baking powder and sugar into a large bowl with a small pinch of salt. Crack in the eggs and whisk until smooth. Add the maple syrup and milk while whisking.
• Heat a splash of oil and a small knob of butter in a non-stick frying pan until sizzling. Add spoonfuls of batter to make pancakes the size you like, we made 20cm pancakes for a serving size of one per person, or if you are very hungry, two per person. Cook until bubbles start to form on the surface, then flip and cook the other side. Eat straight away or keep warm in a low oven while you cook another batch. Serve pancakes with pancetta or blueberries, drizzled with extra maple syrup.

PERFECT, PLATE-SIZE PANCAKES

Steps:

• Stir the dry ingredients (flour, sugar, salt, baking powder and baking soda) together in good sized bowl.
• Measure out milk and mix in lemon or lime juice.
• Let it sit a few moments.
• Make a well in the dry ingredients.
• Pour in the milk, oil, egg and vanilla.
• Whisk all the ingredients together until the batter is fairly smooth; there should only be a few small lumps.
• Melt enough butter in the bottom of a frying pan to coat it evenly; after it has melted, wipe out any excess with a paper towel or napkin.
• The pan should be over medium heat.
• Once the pan is heated, pour about 1/2 cup batter in (or, adjust to fit the size of the pan).
• Allow the pancake to cook several minutes, until the edges are cooked and there are bubbles appearing and bursting in the middle of the cake.
• Flip the pancake, and allow to cook about 2 minutes on the raw side.
• After a minute or two on this side, the cake will raise up and become thicker.
• Once this happens, only cook the cake another minute or so, until the pan-side is nicely golden.
• If the bottoms of the cakes are browning too fast, before there are bubbles in the middle or the second side can rise, then turn the heat down on the stove.
• If the opposite problem is occuring, increase the heat.
• After a couple, it'll be just right!
• This recipe makes 6 enormous pancakes; I would imagine that, made a more normal size, it would yield about 12.

SMARTY-PANTS PANCAKES

Steps:

• Heat butter in a frying pan on med heat.
• Mix egg, flour, milk, cinnamon, and vanilla essence in a bowl (measurements are approximate, adjust to suit; more flour will make them thicker).
• Add smarties (these are colourful chocolates that can substituted with M&Ms, or similar confectionery).
• Spoon mix onto fry pan, turning when bubbles appear.
• Once cooked, place on plate and admire the pretty mix of colours. Smile, and enjoy!