How to Make Crepes - Even the Messed-Up Ones Will Be Perfect!
With a blog name like Food Wishes, and a closing video credit that asks, "what is your food wish?" - I do get lots of requests for video recipes. Probably the most common request that I hadn't done yet was for a "how to make crepes" video. Well, today is the day.
I've never understood the fear and mystery that surrounds this thin round of ground flour, milk, and egg. It's one of the first things you make in culinary school (that works), and probably the first French recipe one commits to memory. It does take a few practice crepes to get a feel for the pan and heat, but once you have a couple successfully finished, you are set for life.
By the way, forget those scenes in movies, and TV, where the "chef" is flipping them in the air to turn them. This is all for show. Just use a spatula and turn them over - sort of like a toasted cheese sandwich. Also, stop being a perfectionist in the kitchen; you'll have more fun. I know you; if you try these you want them to be perfectly round, perfectly thin, and perfectly colored. Relax, Martha.
Perfect rarely happens in the kitchen - before the food is plated, at least. The most imperfectly shaped crepe once folded up with jam, fried in butter, and eaten with ice cream, is always perfect. As I say in the video, this is just the first step. I will do another demo on what to do with these perfect crepes soon. Stay tuned, and enjoy!
Ingredients:
1 cup flour
2 eggs
1 1/4 cup milk
2 tbsp oil
1/4 tsp salt
43 comments:
Thx..separately, when are you likely to post the etouffee recipe? AP
That video has been finished and is just waiting to go live on About.com. I'm never sure when they air, but as soon as it does you'll see it here. Shouldn't be too long.
they look more like tortillas
you don't need sugar i thought crepes had a bit of sugar in it....
You said "flour is cheap, milk is expensive," but actually, flour has beccome quite expensive, having quadrupled in price in the last year. This cookie baker knows...
point taken. I guess I meant cup for cup. I can't wait until this whole ethanol mess is fixed and farmers can grow more than corn, corn, and corn.
i find it amazingly "crepe-y" how easy these are to make
Easy way to clean a blender!
Rinse the inside of the blender bit in sink. Try not to get the outside, especially the bottom bit, wet. Fill 1/3 to 1/2 with the hottest water your sink can make. Add 2-3 drops of dishsoap.
Blend on high speed until the inside looks uniform. If you think it's about to spill out, dump some of the water and blend again. Once everything is blended, dump out the soapy water, rinse well....and your blender is fit for its next use.
(If you're as messy as I am, you might want to clean the outside with sponge and water, dry the bottom with a paper towel, then proceed with the directions.)
That does sound easy... all six steps! ;)
i like the new player..
crepes is what we call pancakes here in denmark.. the special thing for us, is american pancakes.. :P funny huh?
The jam + vanila ice cream is absolutely amazing and awesome on crepes but my dad (who I guess never had sweet tooth) likes to make spinach + feta-filled crepes for himself and the result is also noteworthy.
i luv that combo also!
Great how to video! You make it look SO easy! Maybe now I won't be afraid to try some crepes (cheese blinztes?) here! :)
thanks, cheese blinztes rule!
awesome!!! thanks...that's what i'll be having for breakfast.
Does it matter what kind of milk you use? How will these differ if you use whole, or 2% or even skim milk?
(Should amateur cooks assume the recipe is always calling for whole milk?)
yes, always assume whole milk, but it doesn't really matter for this recipe. Your adding 2 tbsp of oil, so the little bit of fat in the milk is not really any factor.
Thanks for the demo, it was very helpful. Can crepes be frozen? If so, what are the steps you would recommend for freezing and thawing? I would like to make a large quantity for a celebration.
Yes they freeze fine. just keep flat on a plate and wrap well in plastic. Thaw on the counter, wrapped before using.
Thank you so much for the tutorial. Your instructions are very easy to follow, which lead to the success of my crepes.
I used the crepes for dessert:
http://f20.yahoofs.com/hkblog/7aulhkKfCRlfeUFPAe8PNzZE_10/blog/ap_20080623034322261.jpg.jpg?ib_____D_iRBBjnT
I hope you can see the picture.
Thanks so much, they worked like a charm! Everything turned out perfect.
Why no Vanilla?
Is this just for Savory Crepes?
Have I been misled about what goes into a crepe?
This recipe is very different from the one I use.
this works for both sweet and savory dishes... see chicken cannelloni video
Of course you must flip them! Just invest in a light crepe pan - it's all in the wrist. Added benefit: any crepe you miss flipping you can eat right there in the kitchen. Sprinkle sugar, glass of milk - cookie batter style.
First time in the year you make them, you flip the first one with a coin in your hand. Then you'll have money all year round - first time is usually for Chandeleur, January. You *have* to flip it though, or it doesn't count!
I'd cook mine a bit more, till it's nice and golden. They do get breakable though.
well, I can flip them, I just choose not too. Yes, if eaten right way I would cook longer, but i usually cook again in a recipe.
Thanks for the flipping tip! I'm flipping you a traditional American good luck gesture right now... we call it "half the peace sign" ;)
I try this crepes and it was a complete success. My filler was different from yours. I use chicken breasts and ham with riccota, mozarella and spices with some tomate sauce. On top I use a white sauce like a bachamel but with cheese. All and all my guests and my husband declare me Cheff Cristina. Thanks for your instructions and also for making me laugh.
Cristina Villoch
hi chef john, have made crepes for home made manicotti for at least 15 years
my recipe uses eggs,flour,water and salt only
if I make crepes ahead of time, even only 1 day ahead of assembling and cooking and refrigerate only, tiny black flecks appear throughout each and every crepe
after that happened several times I now freeze the crepes if I make them ahead of time and this fleck issue is not a problem
the black tiny fleck issue was not related to using the same bag of flour
last week I used frozen crepes and had 2 left over and put them in the refrig and the black flecks developed by the next morning
what can be going on here?
enjoy learning from your website
wintkat
hi chef john, have made crepes for home made manicotti for at least 15 years
my recipe uses eggs,flour,water and salt only
if I make crepes ahead of time, even only 1 day ahead of assembling and cooking and refrigerate only, tiny black flecks appear throughout each and every crepe
after that happened several times I now freeze the crepes if I make them ahead of time and this fleck issue is not a problem
the black tiny fleck issue was not related to using the same bag of flour
last week I used frozen crepes and had 2 left over and put them in the refrig and the black flecks developed by the next morning
what can be going on here?
enjoy learning from your website
wintkat
those are most likely tiny spots from yeast molds. They are harmless. I don't know of a way to prevent them - they are growing on the crepe as they cool. Maybe try cooling in the freezer.
http://us.f6.yahoofs.com/hkblog/fRcxarKTFxY5k6QGsJ605Q--_3/blog/20081005121508263.jpg.jpg?ib_____DrR3i7tWC
Picture of crepe for breakfast (honey inside/ strawberry jam on top)
I doubled up the quantity and put the extra creps in freezer.
They are very handy!
Thanks.
Hi Chef John,what kind of flour to use for this making of crepe?thanks
AP Flour
Love at first site. I love how John explains and tells how to make any food. Well this is the first one I just saw. but still compare to any other site.. So simple and understandable. He is also very humrous. I just hate cooking channel or any site where it requirs so many ingredients and all expensive stuff that I have to buy to make one food... if you know what Im talking about...
Please make more videos for normal and reguler people like me who doesn't have all the equipments and ingredients
Thanks John for making it so easy for us!!
Is this really a desert in USA?
In Norway this is dinner :) we eat it with syrup, bacon and sugar.
It may be pointless flipping crepes but it is fun ;) and if its not important I recommend trying it
Should I re-oil the pan with each crepe?
with a non-stick pan you don't really need to. If you do, the crepes get a little more color, so for presentation if you want the browned spots you can use a bit more oil.
Amazing job! I am no chef, but I did these exactly as you instructed, and they turned out PERFECT.
The best filler: Cream cheese/Powdered Sugar mix, then top wrapped crepe with Raspberries (and juice). Then chase with Coffee. Delish!!! It made for a great Valentines Dinner Dessert.
Thanks Chef John!!!!!!!
I made CREPES!! Sorry, I was just really excited - because I made CREPES!!
You should be!
Hi John,
I stumbled upon this recipe on YouTube and made my first ever crepes. I have to say they turned out perfect! I keep coming up with new things to put in and on them and they always taste great (and I always have to eat one plain when it's still hot).
Thank you so much!!
I am so glad I stumbled upon this website!! After spending tons of money at coco's on crepes I sought out to make them on my own. I was searching for the recipe when I came across the site. I love the way the video works in real time helped me to make them properly! I am definatly going to come more often for recipes
if you add
1) 0,5 teaspoon of baking powder or
2) 0,5 teaspoon baking soda with 1 tablespoon of sour cream or
3) do it with yeast
and put some unsalted butter on every single crepe when it hot (very important!) -
you can said that these crepes are real traditional Russian crepes :)
thank you for your video recipes - - very useful!
Your recipe and demonstration was perfect. I made smaller crepes (about 4 inches) and I did not flip them because I make a middle eastern dessert with them.
I fill them with a bit of chopped raw cheese (or mozzarella if I don't have raw) and fold in half and press the edges together (to form a half moon). Then fry them and serve with simple syrup. Delicious!
Thank you!
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