Pancake Day is on the way, falling on the 16th of February in 2021, and it is sure to brighten up the cold winter months for many of us.

A history of pancakes

Legend has it that the very first pancake was nothing more than a happy accident. A housewife from the French region of Brittany spilt a porridge mix onto a very hot cooking surface, which quickly crisped up and brought the pancake into existence. Originally a practical tradition of using up excess butter, milk and eggs ahead of Lent, pancakes are now enjoyed all year round. Fast forward to the 21st century and from those humble beginnings, Pancake Day is now celebrated around the world.

Before you start

From the traditional lemon and sugar crepe to savoury cheese and charcuterie loaded galettes, everybody has an opinion on the best way to enjoy a pancake. Before you decide on a topping, get the basics right first. Always leave your batter mix to rest for 30 minutes before cooking. This allows the gluten in the mixture to relax and will guarantee you a lighter, fluffier pancake. A good quality frying pan will put you ahead of the game.

Try a non stick frying pan as the non-stick surface will make your pancake easier to flip over. For an even easier flip, the Tablecraft Rubber Blade Spatula will help loosen the edges of your pancake ahead of cooking the other side. It’s always a good idea to start with a test pancake to check the heat of your pan. Too hot and the pancake will burn, but not hot enough and you’ll end up with a soggy mess. If you get it right the first time, well done you - enjoy the chef’s rewards!

The recipe

The great thing about pancakes is that even the most inexperienced of cooks can create a tasty batter mix. You will need 100 grams of plain flour, two large eggs, 300 millilitres of milk and vegetable oil. Simply combine the flour, eggs and milk with a whisk until smooth. Leave to rest for half an hour before cooking. When you are ready to cook, carefully wipe your hot pan with some oiled kitchen towel. Ladle the mixture into the pan and cook for one minute on each side, flipping in between. Serve immediately with the topping of your choice.

Topping the list

Without a doubt, the most popular pancake topping on Pancake Day is the classic lemon and sugar combination. However, there are plenty of other options, so why not try the American breakfast staple of streaky bacon and maple syrup. Push the boat out, check what’s in your fridge and get inventive. Pancakes can be versatile enough that you could serve a three-course menu of sweet and savoury toppings without being repetitive.

Pancake perfection

For the perfect pancake every time, you can’t go wrong with the Fimar CRPN Electric Crepe Maker. Great for both indoor kitchen and outdoor catering use, its cast-iron base ensures a red hot cooking surface for speed of service. Pair with a Biodegradable Lunchbox for a smart serving solution that will keep your product warm and your customers coming back for more. The pancake will remain crisp in the disposable packaging whilst still satisfying your environmentally-conscious clientele.

If you’re looking for a unique way to generate sales whilst government restrictions only allow takeaways, you could consider packaging pancake batter for customers to cook at home. Take away the stress of measuring out ingredients and sell your ready-made mix in our smart Lidded Bottle. Once they have tried your carefully crafted mix, they will wonder why they ever considered buying a boxed pancake mix from anywhere else.

Half term happiness

With current lockdown restrictions in place, why not make the most of your time at home this half term and rustle up some tasty treats for all the family? Youngsters can be involved in the entire process- smaller children will love adding their own toppings whilst older children will have no problem whisking the traditional batter with our great choice of hand whisks. Don’t forget our Beaufort Measuring Jug, with high sides to minimise mess created by even the most enthusiastic of young chefs. For those with a competitive streak, set up a pancake flipping competition to see who can somersault their pancake the highest without it sticking to the kitchen ceiling!

If you’re looking to rustle up a solo treat, invest in the perfectly proportioned Cast Iron Mini Frying Pan with Wooden Board. It’ll make the task of rustling up some individual Scotch pancakes a breeze, and that’s before we get to the time saved when it comes to washing up.

So make sure you are prepared for this Pancake Day and enjoy indulging in a treat which is simple to make but still can’t be beaten!

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