Savory Pancakes With Spring Onion And Chicken Food

BACON AND SPRING ONION PANCAKES

Steps:

• In a bowl mix together everything except the oil to make a smooth batter.
• In a frying pan heat up about 2 tbsp oil, ensuring that it has coated all around the pan.
• Pour in 1/4 of the batter mix, spreading it around pan with a spatula. Cook until the edges start to brown.
• Flip pancake and cook the other side until it browns slightly.
• Repeat with the remaining batter until you have four large pancakes.
• Cut into wedges and serve hot.

SAVOURY PANCAKES

Steps:

• Using electric beaters or a hand whisk, combine the flour, eggs and milk with a big pinch of salt in a large bowl.
• Heat a 20cm crêpe pan until very hot, then pour a little oil into the pan. Swirl the pan so the oil creates an even covering. Ladle a spoonful of the pancake mixture into the pan and tip the pan so the mixture fills the pan in an even layer. Cook for 30 seconds, then flip and scatter with some cheese and ham, and cook until the cheese is melting. Add a crack of black pepper and fold. Keep on a plate covered with foil in a warm oven while you make the remaining pancakes.

CRISPY PANCAKES WITH CREAMY CHICKEN & BACON

Steps:

• Heat 1 tbsp oil in a large frying pan. Cook the chicken breasts for 5-8 mins each side until golden brown and cooked through, then transfer to a plate. Tip the lardons into the pan and sizzle for a few mins until crispy, then tip out onto the plate with the chicken.
• If the pan looks dry, add the remaining oil, then the onion. Cook for 5 mins until softened and translucent, then stir in the mushrooms and some seasoning. Cook for 5-10 mins until the mushrooms are soft and most of the liquid in the pan has cooked. Stir in the flour, mixing it into the mushrooms to make a chunky paste, then pour in the milk, a little at a time, whisking continuously until you have a smooth sauce. Bubble for 2-3 mins until thick. Chop the chicken into small chunks and add back to the pan along with the lardons and any juices from the plate. Check the seasoning, stir in the parsley, then leave to cool and chill until you're ready to fill the pancakes.
• To make the pancakes, tip the flour into a large bowl and season with 1/2 tsp salt. Make a well in the centre and crack in the 2 eggs. Pour in the milk, then use a large whisk to combine the eggs and milk, working the flour into the liquid until you have a smooth, thin batter. Heat a large frying pan or crêpe pan with a drizzle of oil.
• When the pan is hot, pour in just under a ladleful of the batter and quickly swirl the pan to spread it across the surface, filling any gaps with an extra drizzle of batter. When the underside of the pancake is golden, flip and cook for 30 secs more. Transfer to a plate and make three more pancakes in the same way, then cool until you're ready to assemble. If you want to make the pancakes a day ahead, once cool stack on a plate, separated with sheets of baking parchment, then wrap the plate in cling film. Chill for up to 2 days.
• Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6 and line two baking trays with baking parchment. Take one pancake and brush a circle of beaten egg around the edge. Pile a quarter of the chicken mixture into the centre of the pancake (the sauce should have thickened while chilling), then fold the pancake over and press the edges together to make a pasty shape. Transfer to a baking tray and continue assembling the remaining pancakes. Brush the top of each one with more egg and scatter over the breadcrumbs, then bake for 20-25 mins, swapping the trays halfway through. Leave to cool for 5 mins before serving with salad or baked beans, if you like.