Kopa's Kitchen - Pancake Recipe

by Toyin Okeowo

Pancake also known is truly a balanced diet as it contains the essential nutrients. It is a blend of protein (from the eggs), carbohydrates (from the flour) and fats and oil (from the butter and vegetable oil) and these are not micro-nutrients. Pancake could be a snack as well as a major meal such as breakfast or dinner.

Pancakes go well with chilled drinks, with pap (akamu), custard or tea.

The beauty recipe lies in its simplicity. It is made with ingredients and equipments/utensils you always have in your kitchen so you do not have any excuse for not making this recipe RIGHT AWAY or by the weekend is the latest.

INGREDIENTS

1 cup|150g of plain flour

2 med eggs

½ cup|125mls of evaporated milk (peak or carnation are common in Nigeria)

2 tablespoons of margarine

1 cup|250mls of water

¼ teaspoon of salt

6 teaspoons of sugar (or to taste)

Ground chili pepper (to taste)

TOOLS TO BE USED

Blender (optional)

Frying pan

Cooker

Bowl

Microwave

Kitchen scale

BEFORE MAKING THE PANCAKE

Step 1: Put the margarine in a small bowl and place in the microwave

Step 2: Break the two eggs into the melted margarine and beat till smooth then add ½ cup of water

Step 3: Add the flour and mix well till there are minimal lumps

Step 4: Add the milk, salt, sugar and ground pepper and the remaining ½ cup of water, stir well.

Step 5: Blend the mix using a liquid blender. This is optional if you do not have a liquid blender or if you choose not to use it. Just make sure the ingredients are well mixed and there are minimal lumps.

Note: You can as well add onions to the pancake but make sure you blend them so as to achieve very thin pancakes.

DIRECTIONS

Step 1: Set a frying pan over medium heat. Add a few drops of vegetable oil; just enough to lubricate the frying pan.

Step 2: When hot, pour some pancake batter into the frying pan tilt the frying pan so that the batter     coats the surface of the pan evenly.

Step 3: Fry the underside of the pancake for approximately 1min, shaking the pan from time to time till the pancake comes loose. You can also loosen it with a spatula. Check the underside to be sure it is light brown or it is brown to your liking.

Step 4: Flip the pancake so you can fry the top side as well.

The pancake is done when both sides are light brown.

It is better enjoyed hot.