I’ve loved pancakes ever since I was a kid. Back then we used to have them sprinkled with lemon and sugar, but there’s so much more you can do instead.
Sweet or savoury, hot or cold – yes seriously… try them with cream cheese, smoked salmon and snipped chives or dill. Delish as a starter or light lunch.
Pancake batter is cheap and easy to make and a perfect base for all kinds of fillings. Leftovers are ideal, so have a rummage through your fridge and store cupboard and see what you can come up with.
For example, if you have some roast chicken left over from the weekend, or some raw breast meat try my chicken satay filling. It went down a storm last year when I did a live broadcast from my kitchen and is still the No.1 fave filling with my kids.
This time we’re having Chinese crispy duck which is equally good. I’ve kept back the legs from the roast duck we had on Sunday and instead of buying plum sauce, I’ve adapted the plum conserve I told you about the other week.
It’s brilliantly versatile stuff. I mixed it with soy sauce, garlic, fresh ginger and chilli. Just drizzle over shredded duck, spring onion and cucumber and voila! A somewhat bastardised version of Chinese crispy duck admittedly, but delicious all the same.
BBC Wilts presenter, Sue Davies tried one on air and thought it came from a restaurant! If you want to go vegetarian, how about a crunchy vegetable stir fry? Most large supermarkets sell packs of ready prepared vegetables. Look for one containing bamboo shoots, beansprouts and water chestnuts and either make your own dressing like I did or buy some ready made.
Otherwise, how about a classic chili wrap using pancakes as the wrap? Just make up some basic meat sauce, add a few slices of avocado, some grated cheese and away you go.
As for sweet fillings, don’t stop at the lemon and sugar (lovely as it is). Try chopped banana, whipped cream, a drizzle of Askeys toffee sauce and a scattering of toasted almonds. Oh My God! It is to die for.
If you want to be very bad, how about having this decadently rich and luxurious filling…cherry brandy chocolate truffle (but add whole Morello cherries). Now that really is naughty.
Ooops! Bang goes the diet again…the following will make enough for 6 generous pancakes.
Makes: 6 pancakes
Preparation Time: 10 minutes, plus 30 minutes resting
Cooking Time: 15 minutes
Effort Level: Easy
Shelf Life: 3 days in fridge. 3 months in freezer
Ingredients:
100g plain flour
1 medium egg
275ml milk
pinch salt
Sunflower oil
Equipment:
20cm frying pan (measured from base)
Mixing bowl
Whisk or fork
Measuring jug
Palette knife
Dinner plate
Ladle
Sieve
Here’s What You Do:
Sift the flour and salt from high above the mixing bowl.
Make a well in the centre and crack the eggs into it, add a splash of milk then beat with a fork or whisk.
Gradually beat in the rest of the milk, drawing the flour off the sides of the bowl until you have a smooth consistency.
Leave to rest in the fridge for 30 minutes before using.
When you’re ready, place the frying pan over a high heat and let it get good and hot.
Add a tablespoon of sunflower oil to the pan then tip from side to side to evenly coat the bottom of the pan.
Using a ladle pour in enough batter to thinly cover the base of the frying pan. Then tip the pan from side to side so it spreads out evenly and cook for a minute or so.
When bubbles appear on the pancake and it’s golden underneath, flip it over with a palette knife then cook the other side before sliding onto a plate.
Repeat the process (getting the pan hot each time) and stack the remaining pancakes until the batter’s used up.
Reheat the pancakes in the microwave and serve. For more ideas about what to put in you pancakes come and visit http://www.umawylde.com/?p=39
Food Fight
How do dogs and cats know it's cat food and dog food is?
I have 2 cats and three dogs. One night, I ran out of cat food (Dry type) and my cats were hungry. So since I had dog food and only the shops were closed, I gave them dog nuggets. They are more or less the same shape and size and are made of the same ingredients – chicken. My cats took a nibble and refused the rest of the bowl, preferring to go hungry than eat dog food. Day Next, I got a new set of made-for-cats and immediately croquettes dipped and devoured them. How come my cats knew what I gave them no food was cats? I also know of dogs who do not eat cat food for the long run (though not mine, because pigs and will eat anything). It would be nice if a manufacturer pet food can answer this question. Is there some special ingredient you put in cat and dog food that makes cats and dogs know which is croquettes who? Moreover, nowadays, dogs are eating fish too – like salmon. Can not say it's the ingredient. How is it known difference?
They know, especially dogs. If you leave the cat food on the ground, the dog will go after that before his trip to the dog food. Food Cat is the highest quality ingredients that dogs dog food and I know because after trying the cat food they think they know better. Cats generally do not want eat dog food if you are on the ground because the same reasons. They know that the cat food tastes better that way. Here is a solution to keep the dog eating cat food. Place the container to the cat food at the counter where the dog can not reach it. The cat can jump up there and the cat would not go near dogs food on the floor.
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