The art of hosting – 3 experts share their top tips for stress-free seasonal gatherings
The art of hosting – 3 experts share their top tips for stress-free seasonal gatherings

Sarah Finnan

Creative last-minute gift wrapping ideas to do at home
Creative last-minute gift wrapping ideas to do at home

Lauren Heskin

7 tips for a carefree Christmas according to professional chefs
7 tips for a carefree Christmas according to professional chefs

Sarah Finnan

The 12 fights of Christmas that every couple will recognise
The 12 fights of Christmas that every couple will recognise

Amanda Cassidy

Stuck for a vegan Christmas starter? These smoked ‘salmon’ and ‘cream cheese’ canapés will go down a treat
Stuck for a vegan Christmas starter? These smoked ‘salmon’ and ‘cream cheese’ canapés will go...

Meg Walker

Christmas with disordered eating: ‘stop talking about how we’re going to ‘be better’ in January’
Christmas with disordered eating: ‘stop talking about how we’re going to ‘be better’ in January’

Hannah Kingston

This is Ireland’s most magical Christmas road trip
This is Ireland’s most magical Christmas road trip

Edaein OConnell

This Portobello home has been injected with light, flow, and zingy colour
This Portobello home has been injected with light, flow, and zingy colour

Megan Burns

WIN a €300 voucher for a luxurious stay at the Dylan Hotel
WIN a €300 voucher for a luxurious stay at the Dylan Hotel

Edaein OConnell

3 high-protein sweet treats to enjoy this Christmas
3 high-protein sweet treats to enjoy this Christmas

Edaein OConnell

Image / Living / Food & Drink

5 TV chefs give their tips and tricks for the perfect pancake


By Erin Lindsay
15th Feb 2021
5 TV chefs give their tips and tricks for the perfect pancake

Why not surprise your bubble with perfectly fluffy pancakes tomorrow thanks to these expert tips and tricks.

A romantic cooking session, or a food fight with the kids — however you are spending your Pancake Tuesday, it’s always a great excuse to indulge our collective sweet tooth. After all, today is the last day you can pig out freely before Lent arrives — if you’re planning to give up the junk food for the foreseeable (well, until Easter), this is your chance for a last hurrah.

If you’re wondering how the pros navigate Pancake Tuesday, the answers vary. Some stick to the traditional route, others experiment a little — but these little tips and tricks from the professionals will make your pancakes better than ever.

Nigella Lawson adds baking powder

Adding baking powder to your pancake mix, or using self-raising flour instead of plain, will add volume to your mix — perfect for spongey, thick, American-style pancakes. However, it should be no more than one teaspoon of baking powder to every 100g of plain flour, otherwise you’ll test it in your pancake.

Jamie Oliver recommends wholemeal flour

If you want to switch up the flavour of your pancakes, Jamie Oliver recommends swapping for wholemeal flour. It will give the mixture a nuttier taste.

 

Darina Allen’s ‘Dutch Babies’

Fancy a savoury solution to the recipe? Pancakes are the perfect binder for lots of different ingredients —  leave the fruit behind, and go for ham and Gruyere cheese for this recipe.

Mary Berry gives a super easy recipe

Pancakes may seem easy to get right, but as Mary Berry demonstrates, you only actually need three ingredients for the perfect easy pancake — plain flour, one egg and one egg yolk, and milk.

Heston Blumenthal chills his overnight

Blumenthal is known for his wild and wonderful recipes but his pancakes are relatively tame. Lemon curd will give it a nice kick, but the real trick is to leave the pancake batter to chill in the fridge for four hours to set. Thick, luxurious pancakes await.