Julia Childs Basic Crêpes Recipes

SWEETEN YOUR DAY WITH JULIA CHILD'S CRêPES FINES SUCRéES

Steps:

• To make the crepe batter: Place all ingredients in a blender. Cover and blend on high for one minute, or until all ingredients are thoroughly mixed. If the flour sticks to sides, scrape it down with a spatula, and blend again for three seconds more. Cover the mixture and refrigerate for two hours or up to overnight.
• To make the macerated strawberries: In a large bowl, season chopped strawberries with orange liqueur and granulated sugar, to taste. Let strawberries marinate for at least one hour before serving.
• To make the crepes: Preheat a 6-1/2- to 7-inch nonstick or iron skillet over medium high heat. Before adding batter, check to make sure the pan is hot enough by flicking a little water inside the pan. If the water sizzles and evaporates quickly, then brush the pan lightly with clarified butter, and let the butter heat until it just begins to smoke. Remove pan from the flame with the left hand and use the right hand to pour 1/4 cup of batter into the middle of the pan. Quickly tilt the pan down and around in a circle so the batter evenly coats the entire bottom of the pan. Return pan to flame and cook for 45 to 80 seconds, or until edges of crepe are golden brown and when the pan is jerked back and forth, the crepe shakes freely. Lift the edge of the crepe with a spatula and check for a crispy, lightly browned crust. Use the spatula to lift the crepe up and hold the edges of the crepe with your fingertips to gently ease it onto the other side. Cook on the other side for about 15 to 30 seconds more, just until it's barely spotted brown. Slide the cooked crepe onto a cooling rack and let cool before stacking them on a plate. Grease the skillet again, heat to smoking, and proceed with remaining batter.
• To serve the crepes: Fold the crepes in half and half again to create wedge-looking triangles. Serve two or three folded crepes on a small dish. Top with 1/2 cup marinated strawberries and generously dust with powdered sugar.

FRENCH CRêPE RECIPE (BASIC CRêPES)

Steps:

• Whisk together all ingredients in a bowl.
• Let batter sit in the refrigerator at least 1 hour (or overnight).
• Pre-heat non-stick pan on high heat, and brush or spray with oil or butter. Oil should shimmer on the pan.
• Holding pan just off heat, add 2-3 TB batter and swirl to coat pan. Place back on heat and cook for about 90 seconds, until the bottom of the crêpe is golden and slides off the pan easily.
• Flip and cook the other side for 5-10 seconds. Move crêpe to a wire rack or plate to cool, and repeat with remaining batter.
• Make Ahead: Stack with wax paper in between crêpes. Refrigerate for up to 2 days, or freeze for up to 3-4 months in an airtight container. Don't skip the wax paper-- the crêpes will stick together.

JULIA CHILD'S BASIC CRêPES RECIPE

Steps:

• Blender: Combine all the ingredients in a large mixing bowl (or blender jug). Blend with an immersion blender until everything is combined, scrapping down the sides of the bowl a few times. If there are lumps, continue blending until the lumps are gone. If there are still lumps remaining, strain the batter and discard the lumps.
• Whisk: In a mixing bowl, whisk milk, water, egg and butter together. In a separate large mixing bowl, whisk flour, sugar and salt together. Pour in the wet ingredients slowly, whisking constantly until everything is incorporated. Strain the batter and use a spoon to press down on the lumps against the sieve to incorporate them back into the batter. Strain the batter and discard any remaining lumps.
• Cover the mixing bowl with a plastic wrap, place the bowl in the refrigerator and chill the batter for at least 2 hours before using to allow flour particles to expand in the liquid to yield a tender and light crêpe. The batter can be made the day before and kept chilled until ready to use.
• Heat an 8 to 10-inch frying pan over medium heat. Sprinkle droplets of water onto the frying pan and if the water sizzles immediately, it means the frying pan is hot enough for use.
• Brush a thin layer of softened or melted butter on the frying pan. Give the crêpe batter a stir and scoop ¼-cup of batter.
• Hold the frying pan in your dominant hand and pour the crêpe batter into the middle of the pan with another hand, tilting the pan in all directions as you pour (the batter should set almost immediately as you pour in the batter) so that the batter coats the bottom of the frying pan in a thin layer.
• Cook for about 30 seconds until the edges begin to brown, then loosen the crêpe with a spatula and turn to the other side to cook for another 30 seconds. Transfer the cooked crêpe onto a plate. Repeat until all the batter is used up.After cooking the first crêpe, determine if ¼-cup of batter is too much or too little and adjust the batter amount for the subsequent crêpes. The crêpe batter consistency should be that of a light cream, just thick enough to coat a spoon. If you find the batter too thick or heavy you may whisk in water, tablespoon by tablespoon.If the crêpe is burning or setting too fast for your comfort, lower the heat slightly or place the frying pan on a wet tea towel for 5 to 10 seconds to cool down the frying pan slightly.

CREPE BATTER A LA JULIA CHILD

Steps:

• 1 Crack eggs into a blender container. Add milk, 1 cup cold water and salt. Blend to mix. Add flour and butter. Blend 1 minute, scraping down sides of container if necessary. Cover; refrigerate 2 hours or up to 24. (Leave in the blender container if desired.).
• 2 Heat an 8-inch well-seasoned crepe pan or nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Dip a paper towel into a little vegetable oil; carefully wipe it over the inside of the hot pan. Set the pan over the heat to heat the oil. Pour in a generous 2 tablespoons batter. Immediately pick up the pan and swirl it gently to coat the entire bottom evenly with the batter. Pour any batter that does not adhere to the pan back into the container of batter. Return the pan to the heat; cook until set, light brown and little beads of moisture are visible on the surface, about 30 seconds. Use a heatproof spatula to help loosen and flip the crepe. Cook the second side to brown it lightly, about 30 seconds more.
• 3 Transfer the cooked crepe to a covered baking dish. Keep warm in a low oven while you cook the remaining crepes. Top each crepe with a couple of tablespoons of the desired filling. If using the Florentine filling, roll up the filled crepes and serve sprinkled with chopped parsley.
• SUGGESTED FILLINGS:.
• Florentine: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large nonstick skillet. Add 1 halved, thinly sliced onion; saute until golden, 5 minutes. Add 2 cups chopped mushroom caps; cook until golden, 4 minutes. Stir in 2 bags (6 ounces each) spinach and 2 finely chopped cloves garlic (add spinach in batches if needed). Cook and stir until the spinach just barely wilts, about 3 minutes. Transfer to a plate to cool. Stir in 4 ounces crumbled goat cheese, and salt and pepper.
• Jam and creme fraiche: Spread hot crepe lightly with a scant tablespoon of creme fraiche. Top with dollops of your favorite jam; smooth with a rubber spatula. Fold crepe into quarters. Sprinkle with confectioners' sugar.
• Caramel and banana: Spread hot crepe lightly with a scant tablespoon of caramel sauce or Mexican cajeta. Top with sliced bananas. Fold crepe into quarters. Top with more caramel and banana slices and sprinkling of confectioners' sugar.