The BEST Pancake Recipe

It was Pancake Day this week so of course I had to make some.... The recipe I used is one that I also used last year and it really is the best! The recipe is from Jamie Oliver and makes yummy thick fluffy USA style pancakes.

I think on Pancake Day most people end up making crepes because they don't know how to get the thick fluffiness of a pancake! So here it is....

Fat Pancakes Recipe:

You will need:

3 x Large Eggs

115g (4oz) Plain Flour

1 x Heaped Teaspoon of Baking Powder

140ml Milk

A Pinch of Salt

Step 1 - Separate the eggs, whites into one bowl and yolks into another

Step 2 - To the bowl with the YOLKS in add the flour, baking powder and milk - gradually mix in the ingredients to form a thick batter. (Its a good idea to sieve your flour to avoid a lumpy batter!)

Step 3 - (This is the important part) Whisk the egg whites with the salt until they form stiff peaks

Step 4 - Very carefully fold the whisked whites into the batter mixture - try not to mix as this will deflate the batter - your aiming to create lots of air!!

Step 5 - Heat a non-stick pan on a medium heat and pour on the batter. When I did this step i used a spatula to even the thickness of the pancake. Cook for a minute or so on each side until golden

Step 6 - Eat with your favourite topping!!

TopTip - When you pour on your batter you can sprinkle your topping onto the uncooked side (blueberries, grated chocolate etc) then when you flip it over your topping will cook into the pancake!

Crepes and Pancakes I made last year

My yummy crepe!

Happy Frying :)

♥ Amber 

Meringues

This is a basic crunchy meringue recipe (Derived from Mary Berry!):


You Will Need:
3 x large eggs
175g (6oz) caster sugar

THATS IT!!!!!!!!!!! So very simple!


Step 1 - Pre-heat the oven to 120°C (Fan Oven = 100°C)


Step 2 - Separate the egg whites (the yolks are not needed). Whisk the egg whites for a few minutes until they form stiff peaks.


Step 3 - Gradually add the sugar, a tablespoon full at a time. Whisk the whites well after each addition. When you have added all the sugar you should be left with a stiff glossy mixture. If you turn the bowl upside down it shouldn't budge, if it falls out -Whoopsies!! Try again :) 


Step 4 - Pipe your meringue onto a baking tray lined with greaseproof paper


Step 5 - Bake in the pre-heated oven for approx. 1hour30mins or until they can be easily lifted from the baking tray without sticking. Once ready turn off the oven, leave the door ajar and let them sit in there to cool


Step 6 - Serve with whipped cream and strawberries! YUM!


TIPS
- Be very careful when separating the whites as any yolk or grease in the bowl will prevent the whites from fluffing up
- If you don't have caster sugar you could do what i did > I used normal granulated sugar, put it in a bowl and beat it with the end of a rolling pin (an attempt to crush it finer)
- When whisking you are aiming to get in as much air as possible so use a big bowl
- For the piping I decided to use a circular nozzle and create heart shaped nests (it was for Valentines Day) To do this pipe a heart shape then pipe on top of it going over the edges - gradually build the edges up so you have a dipped middle for the filling
- You could also use a star nozzle for a different appearance ( look at pictures for ideas)

Meringue

Heart Meringue Nests - I made these for Valentine's Day :)

Happy Baking :)
♥ Amber

Giraffes

Giraffes are sooo ADORABLE!! 

I wish it was possible to keep one as a pet and ride around on it all day.

Look at these cute pictures I found...

Yoda giraffe

Mummy & baby giraffe!

Baby giraffe

♥ Amber

Kissing giraffes