Pancake Thursday!

Picture provided by taste.

I just adore pancakes on a sunday morning! Pancakes are so budget friendly and take only a couple minutes to whip up. I used to make mounds of them on a saturday morning after a big night when I would wake up to 5 - 8 men asleep on my loungeroom floor & really really hungry! So here is my fool proof recipe...

Ingredients

2 cups Plain flour (if you like thin pancakes) or Self raising flour (if you like fluffly pancakes)
1 ½ cups Milk
1 Egg
2 tbs White sugar
1 tsp Vanilla essence
30g Butter melted

Method

~Sift flour into a mixing bowl. Add milk, egg, suga, vanilla essence & melted butter and mix for a couple of minutes. Dont worry if there are still a few lumps here and there.
~Heat a non stick frypan on medium & melt a little more butter in it. Cook pancakes one at a time for a minute or two each side (depending on how big you are making them).
~Eat.

Its so simple, and I really dont know what people still buy the packet mix where you just add water when it only takes you a minute or two extra and costs you a fraction of the price!

My favourite Variations

~ Put some choclate chips into the batter and serve with ice cream for dessert.
~ Sandwich pancakes with a vanilla cheese cake mixture by mixing cream cheese with a few tbs sugar and a tbs vanilla extract.
~ Serve with mixed berries, whipped cream & maple syrup.
~ Serve with a bit of lemon juice on top & a sprinkle of caster sugar.

Now go forth and eat pancakes!

Love & kisses on both cheeks,
Sunny xxx

The Easiest Chocolate Mousse

I just adore this chocolate mousse and it usually takes me about 10 – 15 minutes to make and an hour in the fridge which is a dream come true when your already buzzing around cooking a million things for a dinner party!

Ingredients (serves 6)

125g good-quality dark chocolate, roughly chopped
125g good-quality milk chocolate, roughly chopped
3 eggs
1 ½ tbs caster sugar
1 tbs good-quality cocoa powder, sifted
300ml thickened cream, plus extra whipped cream to serve

Method

1. Place chocolate in a microwave safe bowl & cook in the microwave for 1 minute. Stir. If chocolate isn't fully melted yet, put it back in for another minute. Set aside to cool slightly.

2. Place eggs and sugar in a large bowl and beat with electric beaters for 5 minutes, or until mixture is pale, thick and doubled in volume. Fold in cooled chocolate and cocoa powder until combined.

3. In a separate bowl, whip cream until thickened (be careful not to over-beat but make sure if forms stiff peaks). Use a large metal spoon to carefully fold the cream into the chocolate mixture, trying to keep the mixture as light as possible. Spoon into 6 serving glasses and chill in fridge for at least 1 hour. When ready to serve remove from fridge and top with extra whipped cream and grated chocolate or some extra cocoa.

4. Eat it like its going out of fashion.... trust me, you'll love it.

Variations

~For a yummy nightcap add your favourite spirit. To keep it French, go for Cognac (or another quality brandy) or Grand Marnier, adding 1 tablespoon to the melting chocolate.

~For a flavour twist, add a tablespoon of vanilla extract to the chocolate as it melts.

~Chocolate and coffee make a great pairing, so if your feeling like a pick me up try adding two tablespoons of prepared strong black coffee to the chocolate when melting.

~For a cool treat, serve the mousse as a semifreddo - freeze for about 3 hours (but don't freeze solid). Its great for summer!

Enjoy my fellow chocolate lovers!

Love & kisses on both cheeks,

Sunny xxx