Let's Make Pancakes

Below you’ll find a pancake recipe, as well as filling ideas, that’ll take you through breakfast, lunch and dinner. Once you master this basic pancake recipe (and don’t worry because it’s easy) you’ll have loads of easy recipes in your arsenal that both children and grownups will love.
PANCAKES ARE EASY!

Most experienced cooks have a tried-and-tested family secret for making perfect pancakes. But there’s no need to complicate matters: Chef Wendy has a pancake recipe so easy that even a five-year-old will be able to mix up this batter in minutes! If you don’t have a cup measure, use a medium coffee mug for measuring – the average mug holds about 250 ml.

Basic Pancake Recipe

1 cup (250 ml) cake flour
1 cup (250 ml) milk
1 large egg
A pinch of salt
Put all the ingredients into a big bowl and whisk together until smooth and free of lumps. The mixture should be about as thin as cream. If it seems too thick, whisk in a little water, a tablespoon at a time.

What's For Dinner Tip:
For the best results, set your batter aside for five to ten minutes, so the starch in the flour can absorb the liquid.

Get Ready To Cook!

• Heat a non-stick frying pan over a medium heat and add a small piece of margarine.
• When the fat stops bubbling, add one soup-ladle (just under a third of a cup, or about 70 ml) of your pancake batter.
• Quickly tilt the pan, swirling the batter to create an even coating. Cook the pancake for a minute, or until you see bubbles appear on the surface.
• Turn the pancake over using a spatula, or by tossing it over with a quick, sharp flipping action.
  Challenge the kids to toss their own pancakes!

The First Pancake Is Often A Flop

• Don’t be discouraged if your first pancake sticks, burns or seems too thick. It’s an unwritten ‘rule’ of pancakes that the first one is never a success.
• Discard the first pancake, then try again!
• Whisk in a little water (see recipe above) if the batter seems too thick. If it’s too thin, sprinkle a tablespoon or two of flour over the surface of the batter, whisk very well, and set aside for ten minutes.
• Stack your pancakes, as they cook, on a warm plate, and cover with a clean tea towel. Alternatively, you can place them, loosely covered with tin foil, in an oven set to 90ºC.
  

Fabulous Fillings!

For breakfast pancakes, offer your family one or more of these fillings. Place the various ingredients on small plates, and invite the family to dive in and roll their own pancakes!

• A time-honoured tradition: a dusting of cinnamon, plus a sprinkle of white sugar and a squeeze of lemon juice.
• Sliced bananas, mangos, pawpaw or pineapple, plus thick Greek yoghurt, honey and nuts.
• Hot scrambled eggs.
• Crisp bacon bits, fried mushrooms, grilled cherry tomatoes and grated cheese.

For dinner, fill your pancakes with one of these delicious savoury mixtures. Serve them as is, or arrange them in a baking dish, pour over Knorr Classic White Sauce, sprinkle with grated Cheddar or crumbled feta and place in a hot oven until the topping is bubbling and golden.

• Savoury Mince with Peas​
• Bobotie Mince​
• Creamy Chicken à la King​

For pudding, let your imagination go wild! Here are some sweet ideas:

• Fresh, poached or tinned fruit with whipped cream or thick Greek yoghurt.
• A thick layer of chocolate spread, plus whipped cream and toasted nuts.
• Old-fashioned Crepes Suzette, with a lovely buttery orange flavour.