crepes like no others

In addition to sourdough, I like to make other things as well. Crepes are one of those things. They are super easy to make and that’s one of the best ways to use your leftover starter. As a matter of fact, you could make them while your dough is bulk fermenting. Using up your leftover starter here is just for texture and flavor. You could take it out of the fridge, bring it to room temperature and add it to your crepe mixture. Or you could use it right away, after you’ve added the amount needed for your sourdough, and the leftover you can add to the crepe batter.

Crepes are a big part of my childhood. There was this family, which we called “The doughnut family” because they were the only ones in my small town to make and sell doughnuts. There was always a long line in front of their little shop. People would buy their doughnuts and carry them in a small paper bag, eating them on the way home, very often in the late afternoon which spoiled their dinner. I was one of these people.

They were so well powdered that almost everybody was walking with powder-dusted noses without even knowing it. I thought that was hilarious.

So, one day “The doughnut family” got us hooked on their crepes. As if the doughnuts weren’t enough. And again, they were the first to offer crepes to the public. Their name didn’t change though, they didn’t become “The crepe family.” They had two daughters, I went to school with them. We called them “doughnuts” when we were talking about them, didn’t even mentioned their names, we all knew who they were. I didn’t even know their names, shameful but true.

Of course when they started making crepes, they went to a new location and were selling them from a trailer. The crepes were accompanied by very vibrant raspberry juice, for us kids to quench our thirst after running all over town during summer time. And this time our powder-dusted noses were replaced by a red mustache on top of our lips from gulping down the cold and refreshing drink.

The crepes were so delicate, rolled with different kinds of fruit jam. And even though we could make them at home, we chose not to and ran out to the “crepe” trailer. Eating them outside, prepared by someone else was so much sweeter. Like with any other food, it just tastes better when someone else makes it for us.

My crepes, prepared at home, always take me back to those charming moments. Sometimes I just have more need to make them than to eat them so I can take myself to my childhood years and just float there.

My personal choice of making crepes is that I prefer making them with yogurt, not milk. And don’t get me wrong, they are delicious with milk as well. I am Bulgarian, and if you know of our culture, then you’d be familiar with the fact that yogurt is a big part of our cuisine. We eat it with and add it to many dishes. Very often my husband jokes and offers me yogurt with really ridiculous things. It’s like our private joke.

So, that’s why I prefer making crepes with yogurt. But also I find the texture and the flavor very unique. I think with the baking soda they make a world of difference. And the leftover starter is totally optional. If you don’t work with sourdough, and don’t own a starter, feel free to make them without. They will still be fantastic!

STEP BY STEP METHOD

INGREDIENTS:

1 egg

1 tsp sugar

1/2 tsp salt

50g starter(optional)

250g yogurt

150g boiling water

150g all-purpose flour

2 tbsp oil( I used vegetable oil)

1/4 tsp baking soda

1. Add all the ingredients in a bowl. Please add them in that order.

2. Mix to a very smooth texture. No mixer needed.

3. Add a little more water if needed. The mixture should be thin, not too thick. Much thinner than American pancake batter.

4. Cover the bowl and let it rest for 30-40min. You want the baking soda to activate so it will give you this tender and delicate texture. Both, the yogurt and the baking soda are the stars in this recipe.

5. Heat up your crepe pan very well. It must be hot.

6. Brush the pan with very little oil.

7. Start making the crepes. Depending on the size of your pan, from that recipe you can make 10 or more crepes

Enjoy with friends and family!