ERIC CARLE’S VERY OWN PANCAKES,PANCAKES!
Recipe,Recipe!
ERIC CARLE writes: This photograph of me in a chef’s outfit is misleading. I am not a great cook. However, when asked what I would like to be if I were not writing and illustrating books for children, I have expressed my secret wish: to be an executive chef in a large and renowned hotel kitchen. I see myself in a white chef’s outfit, supervising a large and busy staff of hardworking cooks, sampling their roasts and sweet desserts. All right, back to reality! I do know how to prepare a few dishes when called upon. Those who have tasted my pancakes, crêpes really, have spread the rumor that they are devastatingly delicious. When I was a young boy, my mother showed me how to make a pancake. You will need: – 1 cup of flour – 2 eggs, lightly beaten – 1 cup of milk – dash of vanilla extract (optional) – butter – maple syrup or jam 1. Put the flour in a bowl. 2. Slowly add the milk and eggs and stir (avoid lumps). 3. If handy, but not absolutely necessary, add a few drops of vanilla extract. 4. Heat a frying pan.
is bigger, add more batter; if smaller, reduce the amount of batter. The point is that only a thin layer of batter should cover the pan. 7. After a minute or two, using a spatula, flip the pancake onto the other side. 8. After another minute or two, your pancake should be ready. 9. Spread about 2 tablespoons of maple syrup (warmed up) or jam (not warmed) on the pancakes, roll ’em up, and bon appétit! Hint: In the oven, preheat the plates on which the pancakes are to be served. Lukewarm pancakes are yucky.
5. When the frying pan is hot, melt one or two lumps of butter in it. As soon as the butter is melted, add about ¼ cup of batter into the frying pan. 6. Then right away, twist the frying pan so a thin layer of batter covers the entire pan. If the frying pan
IMAGE COURTESY OF INGRAM IMAGE
Reprinted with permission from the book PANCAKES, PANCAKES! © 1990 by Eric Carle.
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