Blue Peter cakes and pancakes
Sadly the time has come. My girls are now far too old to watch Blue Peter. For those reading this outside the UK Blue Peter is a very long running children's T.V.magazine programme. A national treasure and part of growing up for many of the UK's population. This revelatory fact hadn't really hit home until Tuesday. Pancake day. I suddenly realised that for the past couple of years we haven't sat down together to watch a children's T.V. presenter ritually humiliate themselves on live television.
(watch from 2 mins for the pancakes)
I think Blue Peter may single-handedly be responsible for the sudden rise in the sales of pre-made pancakes and shake 'n' pour batter mixes.
Generations of children have grown up watching these very capable adults make complete idiots of themselves annually. They can kayak the length of the Amazon, wrangle a baby elephant and play grade 8 violin but these men and women cannot make a pancake.
Those poor people were never going to succeed. My Mum always said the first pancake was for the birds, and Blue Peter only had time for the presenter to mix, cook and toss once. The pan was never hot enough, the batter hadn't rested, the cameras were running and a pet was probably in danger of singeing itself on the hot plate.
Pancakes are very easy! They need no more than a squeeze of lemon and a sprinkle of sugar. Mind you a healthy dollop of Nutella isn't too shabby either. Perhaps in best Blue Peter style I ought to say fresh fruit also makes a most acceptable filling too.
Mise en scene
1 large egg,
125g plain flour
1/2 pint milk
pinch of salt
flavourless oil
large frying pan
toppings of your choice
It's all in the edit.
- Pin your Blue Peter badge firmly onto your chest, take a deep breath and "action".
- Sieve the flour into a large bowl and stir in the salt.
- Break the egg into the milk and whisk together.
- Whisking all the time add the milk and egg mixture into the flour. Keep whisking until well combined and the mixture is relatively lump free. Set to one side.
- Heat your frying pan to a medium high heat. Add a little oil, wipe with a paper towel to remove any excess and add a ladle of batter.
- Immediately swirl the pan to coat the whole of the pan with a thin layer of batter. Place over the heat and cook until the batter bubbles and crisps at the edges.
- Using a spatula flip the pancake over. Toss by all means but if you want to eat the pancakes it may be an idea to wash the kitchen floor before you start making the pancakes and then you will be able to apply the "5 second rule" without worrying!
- Cook on the other side for a few seconds until golden.
- Repeat until all batter is used up.
- If all else fails have a few of the ready made ones in the freezer and you can always lie and say, "Here's one I made earlier".
Voiceover
Lemon juice and sugar is the most usual and traditional pancake topping but why not try a savoury filling too?
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