Eat: Fluffy American Pancakes

Hey foodies,

So with Valentine's Day out of the way, our new February focus is Pancake Day! Or should we say Shrove Tuesday. With scotch pancakes, crepes and fluffy American pancakes, the question is no longer just what topping, but what type! 

Over the last few weeks I've been whisking up some pancake magic and testing out my favourites, in anticipation of February 17th. 

As I spent all 2014's summer months in the US, a firm favourite has to be the fluffy American pancake. Serve them with crispy streaky bacon and generous drizzle of maple syrup or with lashings of greek yogurt, fresh raspberries and honey. The perfect lazy Sunday breakfast or delicious pancake day pud! 

Why not give these a try this pancake day?

Recipe adapted from BBC Good Food.

Ingredients

135g Self raising flour

2tbsp Golden caster sugar

1tsp Baking powder

2tbsp Melted salted butter

1 Egg, beaten

130ml Milk

Method

1. Sift flour, baking power and caster sugar into a bowl. In a separate bowl/jug whisk together the milk, egg and finally the butter.
2. Pour the milk mixture into the flour mixture and beat with a fork until you have a smooth batter. It may need a little rapid fork action, to remove all the lumps.
3. Heat a non-stick pan over a medium heat, with a little oil or better still fry light. Add a ladle of batter, a second pancake if you think your pan can handle it!
4. Wait until the top of the pancake begins to bubble slightly and the edges look like they're firming up and then flip over - I use a spatula because I'm a tad too cautious! When both sides are golden and the pancakes looking nice and fluffy, get it out and onto your plate.
5. Serve immediately with your chosen topping, pile high in stacks or keep warm in a low oven.

How will you top yours?

• Classic maple syrup and crispy bacon
• Greek yogurt, raspberries and a little honey
• Add some blueberries or chocolate chips when you flip the pancake and serve with whipped double cream
• Chopped banana and Nutella

Let me know your favourite combinations!

Keep calm and flip them pancakes!

Love Jess xo

365 New Days = 365 New Challenges

Hello foodies,

It's been a while since I last blogged and as always, a lot has happened!

I think it would crash blogger if I tried to explain it all in one post, so expect a few posts reminiscent of 2014, just to bring you up to speed.

So it's a new year and after days of thinking of the 365 ahead, or should I say 341 now, I have finally chosen a few inspiring resolutions.

To help me choose these cheeky challenges, I reflected heavily on some of my favourite moments of 2014. I'd say my top three were:

• Disneyland Paris for my 21st birthday - who doesn't enjoy the magical kingdom?!
• Teaching culinary arts in the USA and meeting the most beautiful friends
• Celebrating my graduation, with delicious food, plenty of drink and my incredible family

So a pretty amazing year! How could I top those incredible experiences?

Well, the past few years I have been learning, leaning on others, absorbing information and setting myself up for my future. 2015 is now a year for growth - using the knowledge and learning to progress myself, my business, my career and my aspirations. So five top resolutions to inspire 2015 would have to be:

• Appreciate every day - not only because I love the film About Time, go watch it NOW if you haven't seen it, but because whilst I was in the US, I had plenty of time to reflect on what mattered most to me. Family, friends and of course - food! Don't let anything come between those all important F's.
• Share - it's incredible how social our society has become, but yet what we are sharing is so fickle. I haven't shared enough with you guys, I owe a little more time to sharing not only fantastic recipes and pictures of tasty food, but my passion and enthusiasm for life and yet again, anything edible.
• Explore - I've always been a bit of a home girl and although it's not a problem, over the last year I've learnt that a house is but a shell and it's the people that make it a home. Those people will forever be with me, wherever I go, so I want 2015 to be all about new adventures. Some may be small, like to visit my new camp besties around the UK and others may not even be physical journeys, but small steps exploring new ventures. So watch this space.

I promise this year to be my best blogging yet. It's like the all important light bulb has finally been switched on and I'm ready to begin a new journey, with all the wonderful and exciting challenges ahead.

What's your New Year's resolution? Make it count!

Keep calm, we are all in this journey through time together.

Love

Jess xo

Embarking on an American Dream

Hey foodies,

So the big day has come and today sees me jet to the USA for 8 weeks to teach culinary arts. After completing a course at Leiths last summer, I applied for the role with camp leaders and got accepted in January. How time flies as it's here already.

 I mean it was one of my goals...

I wanted to have the experience of a lifetime. To let you into my life a little more, I am the kind of person who likes to plan ahead and this was always on my to do list. People say that to...

I wanted to see a little more of the world and because I love teaching and sharing my knowledge, I wanted to share my passion for food with the kids overseas. I know in my heart that teaching in the traditional sense of the word, like state education, is not for me but I still wanted to exercise my desire to preach about the wonders and delights of fresh food and cooking. I also understand that after I get into a great job, I wouldn't be able to leave it for travel at a later date. This seems like the best time for me.

I kind of know in the short term where I am going, what my aims are and how I NEED food to be a huge part of my life, as it is what make me happy. But long term...

And being on my way is good enough for me! Trying to keep my passion at the heart of what I do, I know I will enjoy the journey and even more the unknown destination.

As mentioned above, I have been organised enough to set up a series of blogs for whilst I am away, so please don't be shy and keep in touch! I am taking a break from cake orders, clearly, whilst I am abroad, but I will be back in action on my return. To sweeten you guys up for my plans in September, I will also be sharing a few tasty treats on here, with the recipes to get your tantalise those tastebuds of yours!

As my old boss used to say...

So I will see you properly on the other side! 

Keep calm and lets get busy baking the dream.

Love, as always,

Jess

xox

Hired: Culinary Arts Specialist!

Afternoon Foodies,

So I have some majorly exciting news! I have been hired to go to the USA,  with CAMP LEADERS this coming summer, to teach culinary arts! I am unbelievably excited, as you can imagine. I get to share, inspire and enthuse the upcoming generation on my absolute favourite topic: FOOD.

Me celebrating on the train home with some sweet and salty Propercorn - well worth a try!

The camp I am going to be working with is Equinunk and Blue Ridge and I will be based at The Ridge (check out the cool interactive map!). The facilities look fabulous and you know how much I LOVE a good kitchen!

If you've been thinking about summer camp - just do it! Call Camp Leaders or get online NOW and get ready for the summer of a lifetime! I honestly cannot wait :)

HOWEVER, this does mean I will be on a short baking hiatus! :( Not for long foodies! I have thought out some exciting plans for summer, including scheduled posts and a few little quirky extras, which will all become clear when I relaunch my website. You really cannot get rid of me that easily...

With major national food days coming up and some exciting orders, oh and including my 21st birthday, you are sure to see a lot more of me over the next few months, so stay tuned. I may even do a post on smores!

Any GUEST BLOGGERS are welcome to make some suggestions and even get on board?! I would love to do some collaborations before summer so email suggestions TODAY! jessicaaleisha@hotmail.co.uk.

Keep calm and spread the love,

Jessica

xo