PIKELETS - WOW THEY ARE GOOD......!

For some reason i had pushed my skillet to the back of the cupboard and done the same with my pikelet recipe. I am deeply ashamed to admit that i can't recall busting out a batch of freshly cooked pikelets for my children.  I sometimes get so carried away with trying new dishes that i have forgotten just how good the classics are.  If like me you probably have a great pikelet recipe that has pulled you through many impromptu afternoon teas then by all means stick with what you feel comfortable with.  I do like to play around with recipes a little and to be honest most of the time it comes from not actually having the required ingredients on hand.  As you may notice with this recipe i have used natural yoghurt or buttermilk works well. If by chance you don't have any in your fridge you can add a teaspoon of lemon juice or vinegar to milk, give it a stir and let it sit at room temperature to go sour.  Or you can simply increase the milk instead.If you are a novice to Pikelets, don't be afraid they are quick, inexpensive and always a delight.  You can put almost any desired sweet combo on top and they will always be a winner. Lets bring back the delightful Pikelet!!

Pikelet with homemade jam and cream

PIKELET

makes 24 medium

250g plain flour

100g sugar

2 tsp baking powder

pinch salt

2 eggs

125 ml natural yoghurt or buttermilk

250ml milk

25g butter melted, plus extra for cooking

Topping: family favourite

Homemade jam of your choice

Freshly whipped cream

or

Butter and hundred and thousands (do you remember them from parties?)

Method

Heat up a cast-iron skillet if you have one or a heavy-based fry pan or something similar to a medium heat. Meanwhile in a large bowl, sieve all the dry ingredients together.  In another bowl whisk together the eggs, milk and yoghurt.  Combine the wet ingredients into the dry, and mix together until well combined.  Melt the butter on the skillet or pan and pour into mixture, mix once again.  With the residue of butter left on the skillet,  wipe it well all around the surface with a paper towel (keep the paper towel as this is how you are wanting to keep the skillet/pan greased throughout cooking). Using a dessertspoon; bring the bowl of mixture close to the skillet and scoop up the mixture and pour it with the tip of the spoon pointing directly down, so that the mixture falls smoothly and evenly onto the skillet.  This is how you will get a nice even sized round.  Continue leaving enough room so they don't stick.  When they are bubbly on the surface, turn gently and cook on the other side for about 1 minute.  Do watch the heat as you will constantly be adjusting it from too-hot, too-cold.

Bubbles on the surface of the pikelete (ready for flipping)

pikelets cooking on skillet

Once they are cooked i place them between a clean tea-towel folded in half over a cooling rack (this keeps them soft). Continue until all the mixture is used.

You can serve them warm with lashings of butter or cool them down and top with your desired topping.  I like to let people put their own on as it is fun and socialable.

Enjoy and lets bring back the afternoon tea times...!