Perfect pancakes

COOKERY

Simply Sensational Pancakes

Ingredients (Makes 5-6)

◆ 120g plain flour
◆ Pinch of salt
◆ 1 large egg
◆ 300ml milk
◆ A few drops of vegetable oil
◆ Lemon wedges and caster sugar or golden syrup, to serve

1 Put the flour and salt into a mixing bowl. Add the egg and milk. Beat together using a hand whisk to make a smooth batter. Allow to stand for a few minutes.

2 Heat a heavy-based pancake pan or frying pan and add a few drops of vegetable oil. Ladle in some batter to make a thin pancake, tilting the pan around to spread the liquid over the surface. Cook over a medium heat, and when set on the surface, flip it over with a spatula to cook the other side.

3 Keep the pancakes in a warm place as you cook them, such as in a low oven, or serve immediately. Make 5-6 pancakes, adding a little vegetable oil to the pan each time.

4 Serve with lemon wedges and caster sugar or golden syrup.

Cook’s Tip:

Try making batter in a blender – just whizz ingredients together for a few seconds until smooth.

Pancake Brunch

Ingredients (Serves 4)

◆ 120g plain flour
◆ Pinch of salt
◆ 1 large egg
◆ 200ml milk
◆ A few drops of vegetable oil
◆ 6 rashers back bacon
◆ 4 bunches cherry tomatoes on the vine
◆ 2 ripe avocados, peeled, pitted and sliced
◆ 150g feta cheese, crumbled
◆ Freshly-ground black pepper
◆ A little maple syrup (optional)

1 Put the flour and salt into a mixing bowl. Add the egg and milk. Beat together using a hand whisk to make a smooth batter. Allow to stand for a few minutes. Meanwhile, preheat the grill.

2 Heat a heavy-based pancake pan or frying pan and add a few drops of vegetable oil. Ladle in a quarter of the batter, tilting the pan around to spread the liquid over the surface. Cook over a medium heat, and when set on the surface, flip over to cook the other side. Cook 3 more pancakes in this way.

3 At the same time, grill the bacon rashers until crispy, adding the cherry tomatoes for the last 2-3 minutes to grill them, too.

4 Put the pancakes onto serving plates and snip the bacon over them. Serve with the avocado slices, cherry tomatoes and feta cheese. Season with black pepper and pour a little maple syrup over, if using.

Cook’s Tip:

Omit the bacon for a vegetarian version.

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