Eat: English Pancakes

Hey foodies,

So you've already seen my favourite fluffy pancakes, in previous posts, but what about the English pancake? The English pancake is similar to a crepe and often enjoyed, simply with lemon juice and sugar.

The mixture, similar to that of a Yorkshire pudding, is fried flat in a pan and made with just 4 ingredients. Check out the easy recipe below, for fool proof, tasty pancakes.

Toppings

These days it's all about getting adventurous!  I had my first pancake of the year as an easy, Friday night dessert, served with leftover dark chocolate ganache and fresh raspberries. I then used the rest of the mixture Saturday morning, for greek yogurt and honey breakfast pancakes. The perfect way to celebrate Valentine's Day morning, cue the yogurt heart! 

Why not try:

• Nutella and chopped hazelnuts
• Chopped banana and caramel sauce (banoffee)
• Freshly squeezed lemon juice and caster sugar
• Whipped double cream and strawberries
• Mascarpone and lemon curd (beat 100g of each together until fluffy)

The combinations are endlessly delicious! Why not share yours on the comments below...

Recipe adapted from BBC Good Food.

Ingredients

Makes 8-10 Pancakes

150g Plain flour

3 Large eggs

450ml Milk

1tbsp Sunflower or vegetable oil & extra for frying

Pinch caster sugar (salt if making savoury pancakes)

Method

1. Put the flour and pinch of sugar into a large mixing bowl and make a well in the centre. Crack the eggs into the middle, then pour in about 75ml milk and 1tbsp oil. Start whisking from the centre, gradually drawing in the flour from the edges. Once all of the dry flour mixture is incorporated , beat until you have a smooth thick paste. You may need to give it a little welly! 
2. Add another 75ml milk and whisk to loosen the batter, starting of slow so you don't splatter the kitchen walls with pancake batter! As the batter loosens, gradually add the remaining milk, whilst whisking. Continue pouring and whisking until your batter resembles the consistency of thick single cream.
3. Oil the pan with fry light or wipe with a lightly oiled kitchen towel and heat to a moderate heat. Ladle some batter into the pan or pour the batter into a jug for easy pouring. Tilt the batter around the pan, until there's a nice, thin and even coating. Don't be afraid to pour excess batter into a separate bowl/jug to be reused later. Leave the pancake flat against the heat for around 30-40seconds, at which it should be crisp and golden underneath. 
4. For a quick, safe flip, hold the pan handle and ease a fish slice under the pancake. Quickly lift and flip it over, to fry the other side. Make sure the pancake is flat against the base of the pan, to evenly cook the batter. Give the second side a similar 30-40seconds, but I usually find the second side is much quicker, before turning out onto your plate.
5. This is the best step! Get creative with your toppings, make them pretty, chocolately or full of fruit. What will you choose?

Keep calm and get flipping.

Love Jess xo

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

Celebrate: Singles' Guide to Valentine's Day

Hey foodies,  

With Valentine's Day looming and International Marriage Week in full swing, it's hard to not to indulge in a few heart shaped chocolates, but many people are mistaken in thinking that February 14th is exclusively for couples. Aside from it being my Dad's birthday, and this year it's a big one(!), this much derided holiday is actually about love, which as we know can be shared with anyone (or anything) in your life that you care deeply about.

So why not spend this weekend celebrating love, rather than cheapening romance?

This guide is more about single's success, rather than single's survival. Why shouldn't everyone celebrate, spread the love and take advantage of some fabulous deals on tasty, sweet treats! 
A little self gifting



Valentine’s Day is great for taking advantage of the many special offers or events. Why not plan a catch up with your friends - a girly night with fizz sounds great to me! Each year, restaurants, bars, and cinemas try to capitalize on the holiday by offering couples special discounts, but you can cheat the system by grouping up with some mates and getting yourselves a tasty dinner deal or even 2 for 1 cinema tickets. There are so many delicious Valentines gift ideas you can enjoy with your friends; a bottle of the finest fizz or maybe some heart shaped chocolates.  I can never say no to chocolate truffles!

Fancy something a little more extravagant?  Treat yourself to a spa treatment! There's always a fantastic array of spa deals for Valentine’s Day. All offers for couples? Pair up with a buddy and enjoy some well deserved pampering together.

Watch a ‘romantic’ film

This year for Valentine’s Day, Netflix is specially curating a selection of romantic films for couples to enjoy, but as we all know most romantic comedies are a little cliche. For the best selection, go off course from the typical recommendations, although Disney's Up and About Time are firm favourites of mine!

Even in adventure, action and horror films you'll find love. Alien is a great story about love and honour, but in the context and setting of a barren mining planet completely swarmed with bloodthirsty and terrifying predatory creatures. Or think about Fight Club, a charming story of a blossoming bromance between the protagonist and a figment of his imagination. Both these alternative films have great romantic storylines, if a little unusual!

Share the love



















Take a little time on Valentine’s Day to share the love with the people that are important to you. Get together with close friends and family, share a cuppa over a box of tasty biscuits, get messy in the kitchen with some tasty Valentine's themed baking or hit the town with your besties.


Don't forget your grandparents! Cake always goes down a treat, if they haven't beat you too it! Whatever the activity, share it with those important, can't do without people in your life.

Escape


This picture is taken from gentle stroll through Sheffield earlier this year, with my boyfriend's giant schnauzer, Titch.

And no, I don't mean escape from Valentine's Day. Why not take a trip, just because you can! There’s nothing holding you back, so spend some time getting away from your familiar settings and delve deep into your adventurous spirit. Get on the train and explore the nearby towns. Take a train out into countryside and fill up on fresh air. Aside from being a great adventure, this can be very therapeutic and help develop your well-being and mindfulness. Being a Yorkshire girl, I'm surrounded by beautiful, idyllic country villages and nothing quite beats a Bakewell tart in Bakewell!

It's all about embracing love this Valentine's Day and making the most of another fabulous February weekend. What have you foodies got planned?

Lots of Valentine's love, 

Jess <3