PanCakes 101 What are Crepes and how to cook ‘em
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ne well-loved variant of pancake, albeit not as fluffy, is the crepe. To have this variety of thin pancake, the batter is poured into a griddle and thinned by agitating the pan or by evening it out by using a scraper, then cooked on one or both sides to achieve a network of fine bubbles often compared to lace. Crepes can either be sweet or savory. The former is also known as crépes sucrées and these usually make use of wheat flour. Savory crepes, also called galettes or crépes salées are unsweetened and usually made with buckwheat flour. This simple yet delicious food was popularized by the French. These days, crepe is well-loved by people all over the globe, and they can be found being served by street vendors, and in casual and formal dining establishments. Crepes can serve many functions on a menu, from appetizer, main course, to desserts. When served as main course, they can be filled with a combination of ingredients like meat, cheeses, eggs, vegetables, mushrooms. As dessert, they are usually served with jams, chocolate, whipped cream, and ice cream. Crepes are popular because they are moreish, light, and if prepared like sandwich wraps, are convenient to eat even on the go. In addition, some crepe variants, especially those made with buckwheat, are a healthier option compared to other restaurant offerings since these are rich in fiber and vitamins.
If you want to serve your family with something new and different for breakfast, snacks, or desserts, consider getting a crepe maker. Alternatively, you may buy gas or electric crepe makers. Many say that the best stovetop, gas, or electric crepe makers to buy are those made with cast iron since these are durable and allow for even heat distribution which is necessary in making great tasting, uniform, thin crepes that aren’t torn on the edges. The disadvantages of 2
those with cast iron griddles though is that they are heavy, requires higher maintenance and seasoning to prevent food from reacting to the metal. One option would be to buy enamel-coated cast iron crepe makers which are a bit pricier but do not have to be seasoned unlike their bare cast iron counterparts. If you wish to have a crepe machine or pan that is not as heavy consider getting one made from stainless steel instead. Remember though that compared to cast iron, stainless steel is inferior in terms of thermal conductivity. Then again there are stainless steel crepe makers that have copper or aluminum cores which are more conductive than regular ones. They also tend to cost more than their cast iron counterparts. To make cooking and cleaning easier, go for those with non-stick surfaces. Crepe machines with manual temperature dials will help you create crepes according to your preference. Crepe makers are not limited to crepes though, as you can cook other types of pancake on them like flapjacks and crumpets.
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