PANCAKES (Granny called them Drop Scones)
These are one of the easiest griddle breads to make. In Ireland, pancakes are thick and spongy and not at all like crepes, which some people also call pancakes. Very confusing I know. As the title says, they were also known as Drop Scones because of the thick batter from which they are made and are dropped on to the griddle.
Pancakes needn't be boring. They are nice on their own served straight off the griddle with butter, jam, maple syrup or honey. I like to flavour them with fresh berries and fruit. Adding fresh blueberries or raspberry to the batter after it is made almost turns them into a dessert. When eaten warm the fruit pops in your mouth revealing its tangy freshnes....soo yummy, especially with a dollop of fresh or clotted cream. Also, when adding fruit you can omit or use less sugar, always a good thing!
Another dessert to make with pancakes is to split them horizontally and spread one half with jam, then whipped cream and then a layer of chopped strawberries. Set the other half on top and drizzle with melted chocolate. Eat while the chocolate is runny, I promise you won't believe it is the humble pancake!
Pancakes that are a day old can be toasted or even fried and added to your Ulster fry. Give it a go.
Here is my recipe for pancakes.
Pancakes
8 oz (226g) self-raising flour
1/2 tsp bic of soda
6 dsp caster sugar
pinch salt
2 eggs
10 fl oz (30ml) milk
1. Sift all the dry ingredients into a bowl, add sugar, eggs and milk and whisk until well mixed.The mixture should have a thick consistency.
2. Heat the griddle or a heavy bottomed frying pan. Heat should be low to medium. A good way to test if it is too warm is to smear with butter. If it burns immediately (like the picture on the right), then it is too warm.
3. Using a ladle or spoon, drop the mixture on to the griddle. It will fall into a natural circle. After a few minutes small holes will appear on the surface and pop. It is now time to turn the pancake over and brown the other side. This takes about 2-3 mins. A tip to know if the pancakes are ready is to feel the edge of the pancake with your finger. If it is no longer sticky, the pancake is cooked through.
4. If you wish to make fruit pancakes, add the fruit to the batter after it has been made and stir in gently to avoid breaking the fruit up too much. (I have shown the batter with blueberries).
Serve warm with some butter.
Go on, give the humble pancake a go!