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Pancake

Pancakes with vodka lemon drizzle and blackberry compôte

Traditional thin pancakes are drizzled with lemon and blackberry sauces for a fabulous dessert or special breakfast. Leave out the vodka if you prefer.

Ingredients:

  • 125g/4½oz plain flour
  • 1 free-range egg, beaten
  • 300ml/½ pint milk
  • 1 tbsp vegetable oil, plus extra for cooking
  • pinch salt
  • for the blackberry compôte
  • 250g/9oz fresh or frozen blackberries
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1–2 tbsp caster sugar, to taste
  • 4 tbsp caster sugar
  • 4 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 2–3 tbsp vodka (optional)
  • to serve (optional)
  • clotted cream or vanilla ice cream

Directions:

  • Sieve the flour and salt into a bowl and make a hole in the centre. Add the egg and 100ml/3½fl oz milk, then gradually whisk to incorporate the flour until it has the consistency of thick cream. Beat in the tablespoon of oil and the remaining milk. Set aside.
  • To make the compôte, put the blackberries, lemon juice and sugar in a saucepan. Heat gently, until the blackberries start to soften and release their juices and the sugar has dissolved. Stir gently (you want the blackberries to keep their shape) until you have a syrupy mixture. Remove from the heat and set aside.
  • For the drizzle, mix together the sugar, lemon juice and vodka (if using) until the sugar has dissolved.
  • Heat a non-stick frying pan or a crêpe pan and swirl in a little oil. Pour out any excess oil into a small jug – the pan should be just coated. Pour in enough batter to coat the bottom of the pan evenly and place over a medium heat. After about a minute, use a palette knife to loosen the edges. Flip the pancake over to cook the other side for a further minute. Transfer to a warmed plate and cover with a clean tea towel to keep warm. Repeat until all the batter is used up.
  • To serve, roll or fold the pancakes into quarters and drizzle with the lemon drizzle. Serve alongside the blackberry compôte and clotted cream or ice cream, if you like.