Nigella Express - Pancake Mix

nodwah

I think the idea of a ready made up mix for pancakes is great I'd have never thought of it, but do people really cook stuff for breakfast? I'm rushed for time every day and we just grab toast or cereal - isn't that more normal?

thriftlady_2

I make pancakes for breakfast at least once a week, in fact I'm about to make them now

I used to use the mix recipe from More With Less Cookbook, but now I use the wholewheat buttermilk pancake recipe from the same book except I replace the buttermilk with yogurt and the egg with a couple of spoonfuls of milk. I smiled when I saw the pancake mix recipe in Nigella's latest book -I thought she might have been reading frugal cookbooks -but then I came to my senses

If you are interested in homemade mix recipes take a look at this thread http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=410439&highlight=homemade+convenience+mixes##

My feeling is, if you are going to measure out the mix, add milk and egg and mix together, then frankly, you might as well measure out flour, baking powder, bicarb and salt and add milk and egg and mix together. I'm not convinced you save a great deal of time (having used a mix and made from scratch)

Here's my version of the pancake recipe.

Makes about 9-12 (4-5 inch pancakes)

Mix in a bowl
1 cup of yogurt/buttermilk (8 fl oz) (you can use milk instead but leave out the bicarb and increase the baking powder slightly)
2 tbsp melted butter or veg oil
1 egg OR 3-4 tbsp milk

Add and mix
1 cup of plain flour (9 oz) -I use half wholemeal and half white and sometimes add oats.
1 tsp baking powder
½ tsp bicarb
½ tsp salt

Fry on a hot lightly greased frying pan -I use an ungreased non-stick pan. Use a heaped tbsp of batter, you will find it is quite thick and you can spread it out, and even make shapes with it. Turn over with a wide spatula when bubbles appear on the pancake. Watch the heat as they do brown quite quickly.

You can add fruit to the batter like blueberries or blackberries.

My kids like them with golden syrup or jam spread on them. I like them golden syrup and butter melted over them.

Frugal_Fox

DH loves how there is ALWAYS a shot of her either just waking or raiding the fridge - I want to know how she isn't the SIZE of a bus!!

And as for cooking in the morning - its something I frequently do. I often start dinner in the morning whilst doing lunches and breakfast. Guess I have finally got my mornings sorted though! I get up at 6:30 - 30 mins before anyone else, so I can go through the bathroom, start the laundry and get breakfast started. Then I get daughter up at 7 and she gets washed & dress, then son at 7:30 and he does the same, by then breakfast is on the table, lunches are done and I'm usually sitting on my harris with a cuppa! This morning I'm sat here sewing Christmas ornaments. DH is more than capable of looking after himself! DD is just off to do violiln practise and DS will do the same for drums.

EDITED TO ADD - they are 9 & 7! Plus thanks for the link to that blog - just added it to my Blogline!

thriftlady_2

Here's apicture -well, Nigella has pictures

Dustykitten

I made the Nigella mix this morning - went down really well. My kids love pancakes and thought this mix was much better than my usual receipe:

'Mum they are really light and fluffy'
'Mum they are much more sophisticated'
'Mum they are much nicer than the shop ones'

- good job too as we have a huge jar of dry mix to use, bet it doesn't last the half term week!

nodwah

I take my hat off to you thriftlady, I do get up half an hour before the kids but I generally sit like a zombie with a cup of tea watching UKTV bright ideas. This will change now as that's now a "Comedy Channel" (where exactly does repeats of a question of sport come in to that?)

thriftmonster

My pancakes are very basic in the morning. Heat non stick pan. Throw in food processor =- 4oz plain flour, 1 egg, 1/4 pt milk and water mixed. Whizz. Cook in 2 tbsp amounts. Serve with maple syrup.

If we have time at the weekends I make waffles cos I'm really sad and still love playing with the waffle iron I got for my birthday!

thriftlady_2

nodwah wrote: »

I take my hat off to you thriftlady, I do get up half an hour before the kids but I generally sit like a zombie with a cup of tea watching UKTV bright ideas. This will change now as that's now a "Comedy Channel" (where exactly does repeats of a question of sport come in to that?)

Ah, but it is a different story at the weekends. I don't do breakfast at weekends as I have a lie in then. They have to make do with bread and jam The pancakes are really quick btw even without a mix.