Best traditional English pancake recipes – savoury and sweet mixtures, topping ideas, ingredients
PANCAKE Day is finally here! It's time to get flipping excited.
The big day falls on March 5th this year and we’ve got the perfect recipe to help make sure you do the celebration justice - as well as some awesome savoury and sweet ideas and tips for a full-proof toss.
What ingredients will I need and what is the best way to make pancakes?
There are numerous ways to make pancakes – after all, the day originates from using up what is left in your cupboard.
While you may be fan of thicker, American style pancakes, or thin French type crepes, this traditional English pancake recipe is bound to win you over – and it’s super easy too.
You will need:
- 125g of plain flour
- 2 eggs, medium sized
- 300ml of milk
- Pinch of salt
Method
- Beat the eggs together with a fork
- Pour the flour into a bowl and make a well in the middle
- Pour the eggs into the well and whisk together
- Gradually, add in the milk
- Put the mixture in the fridge for at least 30 minutes
- Rub oil around a non-stick pan
- Ladle out your mixture – one ladle equals one pancake
- After a couple of minutes, give your pancake a jiggle and when it no longer sticks give it a flip to do the other side
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What pancake topping ideas are there?
You may be a fan of good ol’ fashioned lemon and sugar, but if you fancy a change pancakes can be enjoyed will all sorts of toppings, sweet and savoury.
Why not give some of these a try:
Sweet
Chocolate, peanut butter and banana
For the ultimate indulgence, spread peanut butter on your pancakes before sprinkling with chocolate chips and layering slices of banana on top, fold et voilà!
Syrup and blueberry
If you’re feeling fruity, swap out the lemon and sugar for blueberries and golden syrup. Yummy.
Toffee and apple
Another fruity option, swap your syrup with toffee sauce and pour a generous squeeze over pancakes topped with sliced apple.
Raisin or dried fruit
For a plainer pancake, try mixing half a cup of raisins or dried fruit into your pancake mix before cooking.
Top with a dusting of cinnamon for extra flavour.
Savoury
Bacon and egg
Not such a sweet tooth? You can’t beat bacon and eggs.
Simply whip up your bacon and eggs in a pan before setting aside while you prep your pancakes.
Once finished, top your pancakes with these for the ultimate breakfast inspired treat.
Mushroom and spinach
Make a delicious meal out of your pancakes by whipping up a tasty mushroom and spinach filling.
Heat 1tbsp of olive oil in a pan before frying a small onion until it’s softened.
Next, add a handful of sliced mushrooms and cook through.
Season before adding two handfuls of spinach.
Cook until the spinach wilts (approx. two mins).
Set aside while you cook your pancakes.
Once your pancakes are done, top them with the mixture and fold in half.
Parmesan
For a plain option, top your pancakes with shavings of parmesan.
For an extra cheesey finish, mix half a cup of parmesan into your pancake mix before cooking.
Asparagus
For a veggie option, wrap asparagus spears inside your pancakes.
To make things a little more indulgent, top with hollandaise sauce.
How do you toss a pancake?
Flipping a pancake can be the most fun but also the most difficult part when it comes to Pancake Day.
The toss can, quite literally, make or break your pancake – so follow these top tips to avoid a flop.
First things first: use a non-stick pan.
Lighter pans are better for flipping and pans with larger rims are easier to use.
Cook the pancake until it’s cooked on one side – it's done when it comes away from the pan when you give it a shake.
Once you’ve cooked the first side, gently tip the pancake right to the edge of the pan before going for the flip.
The flipping motion should be the exact same actin you would use when making a stir-fry in a wok – it’s all about the flick of the wrist.
Use bother hands on the pan for the most control.
Once the second side is cooked, and if you’re feeling brave, you can go for another flip.
Things to look out for:
- If the centre of your pancake is not cooking, you may be cooking it on too high of a heat.
- This means that the edges brown before the middle gets a chance to cook.
- Don’t lift one the corners of the pancake too much when checking how cooked it is - you might break the pancake.
- The more you play around with the pancake, the greater chance it’s going to break.
- Don’t get too cocky – once you nail the flip, avoid flipping one pancake too many times as your pancake will become tougher when it comes to eating it.