Crepes with Jam

Do you like crepes?

To some of you  – who have been raised on typical American pancakes –  these might sound and look quite exotic.

Right?

Yeah, they are those delicate things that those weird, delicate Europeans eat.

… With their delicate fingers.

On the other hand, those of you who come from Europe, might perceive crepes as something very similar to oxygen you breathe. I guess they are this much common and usual all over the old continent.

And you, dear Europeans, look at the American chubby pancakes with kinda perplexed look in your eyes.

Don’t you?

Well, now that we are clear about the difference between Europe and America (which definitely lies in the preferred thickness of pancakes) we can have a look at the origin of the word ‘crêpe’.

That, in fact, comes from Latin ‘crispa’, meaning ‘curled’.

How lovely!

I guess the one who has invented this dish must have had an excellent sense for cuteness – because these beauties, with their adorable shape and their scrumptious taste, represent pure, heart-touching cuteness to me.

But hey!

What about the rest of the world?

Do you eat pancakes or crepes?

I’d really like to know…

This is what you are going to need in order to prepare you own delicious crepes.

The ingredients are very simple and easy to find in everyone’s pantry.

1. The first step is awesome, I think.

You just place the flour, eggs, milk, water, sugar and salt into a larger bowl and whisk it till it’s smooth.

You don’t even have to pay attention to what comes first.

Initially, the batter will look rather lumpy – which means some more mixing is needed.

Sooner or later there comes the point when the batter becomes perfectly smooth.

2. Pour one tablespoon of the vegetable oil into a medium sized frying pan (I used 7-inch – 18 cm pan).

3. Heat the pan over medium heat – we definitely don’t need too strong heat here.

4. Pour or scoop the batter onto the pan, using approximately 1/4 cup (60 ml) for each crepe.

5. Tilt the pan with a circular motion so that the batter coats the surface evenly.

6. Cook the crepe for about 30 – 40 seconds, until the bottom is light brown.

7. Loosen the edges with a spatula, …

8. … turn and cook the other side.

9. Place the crepes on a separate plate and let cool a little – just until they can be handled with your hands.

10. Then spread about 2 tablespoon jam over the surface of each crepe …

11. … and roll it up.

12. Serve warm.

Sweet crepes can be garnished with fresh fruit and whipped cream.

Enjoy, dear friends.

(This recipe makes 7 crepes.)

Strawberry Cheesecake Parfaits

The other day, I stumbled upon a recipe for Strawberry Parfaits.

It took just one look and I knew I needed them in my life.

Definitely.

And really soon.

No doubt about it.

They looked scrumptious and refreshing and irresistible and… simply excellent.

If something in this big wide world can be referred to as  ‘perfection in a glass’ then it’s definitely this dessert.

Please, please, you have to make it.

It’s that last step you need to make to achieve true happiness.

This is what you need to prepare the little cuties.

1. First, in your food processor, crush the biscuits finely.

You know what?

I love my high-end gadgetry.

This lovely piece, for example,  is going on the market next fall.

I was really lucky to get it in advance.

These are the butter biscuits I’ve used.

Oh, how we love them – especially sandwiched with jam.

Just wanted to let you know…

Anyway, these are the biscuit crumbs.

2. Mix the crumbs with one tablespoon sugar…

3. … and 2 tablespoons melted butter.

You can use a fork to combine it all together.

4. Then, in the bowl of your electric mixer, mix the cream cheese, sour cream, sugar and almond extract.

5. In a separate bowl, whip the heavy cream until stiff peaks form.

6. Using a spatula, gently fold the cream cheese mixture with the whipped cream just until combined.

7. Slice the strawberries into a larger bowl, sprinkle them with a tablespoon of sugar and toss them around the bowl a little.

8. Then we are going to need four glasses.

9. Place about a tablespoon of the crumbs  in the bottom of your glasses.

10. Then layer some of the cheesecake filling, …

11. … then add some strawberries …

12. … and repeat this procedure once more.

13. Sprinkle the top with some more crumbs and garnish with strawberries and a mint leaf.

14. Refrigerate for about 1-2 hours before serving …

… which is exactly what I haven’t done.

Enjoy, dear friends.

This recipe makes about 4 1-cup (250 ml) glasses.

(The recipe was adapted from here.)

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