Blintz and Blinis

In Russia, Poland and Ukraine, their version of a pancake is called a blintz or blini. A typical recipe may call for jam, fruit, cottage cheese, or other cheeses rolled into a blintz, which is then lightly fried, sautéed or baked.

Pannenkoeken

In the Netherlands, pancakes are called pannenkoeken, which come in a sweet variety. Slightly thicker than crepes, the pancakes are usually large – measuring 12 inches or more in diameter. An egg-based batter may use fillings, such as sliced apples, candied ginger, and cheese with a thick sugar molasses-like syrup called “stroop.”

photo courtesy of pzado

A crepe is a very thin pancake often associated with France that may include a variety of fillings. Wheat flour is a common ingredient used to make the sweet version of the dish, along with eggs, milk, butter, and a pinch of salt. There are many different variations, including the mille crepe, which is comprised of many layers of the thin pancakes. Crepe Suzette is made with lightly grated orange peel and liqueur (such as Grand Marnier). Cherry Kijafa crepes use a traditional crepe base, but are filled with cherries simmered in Kijafa wine sauce. Strawberries and whipped cream are popular toppings for crepes served in the United States.

Sugar and Spice

Add vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg to your pancake batter to create a sugar and spice combination.

Fruit Toppings

Strawberries, blueberries, and bananas are common fruit toppings for pancakes, but nearly any fruit can elevate the taste. Consider apples paired with a drizzle of caramel; strawberries and a scoop of strawberry ice cream; or peaches soaked in cinnamon sugar.

Honey

Substitute your maple syrup for honey as a pancake topping. Drizzle chopped nuts on top.

Chocolate

Whether you add chocolate chips to the batter, decorate as a topping, or drizzle chocolate sauce instead of syrup – chocolate is another fun way to enhance the taste of your pancakes.

Yogurt

You can add flavored yogurt to a pancake recipe to create a semi-thick, relatively moist texture.

Ingredients:
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
4 large eggs, room temperature
6 T melted unsalted butter
2/3 cup Coombs Family Farms 100% pure organic maple syrup
1 T dark rum
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp lemon juice
Pinch of salt
1 cup shelled, raw pecan halves
1 – 9” partially pre-baked pie crust

Directions:
Preheat oven to 425 F. Beat one egg with 1 T water in small bowl; set aside. Combine brown sugar and 3 eggs in mixing bowl and mix well. Add syrup, rum, vanilla, lemon juice, salt and butter. Pour filling in crust and arrange pecans on top. Using a pastry brush, brush egg wash on crust.  Bake for 20-30 minutes or until knife comes out clean. 

Let stand for five minutes before serving.

About Coombs Family Farms:
100% pure maple has been a way of life at Coombs Family Farms for seven generations. Since 1988, Coombs Family Farms has produced certified organic maple syrup. A champion of small family farming, Coombs Family Farms also sources 100% pure organic certified maple from other small, independent farmers who share the Coombs commitment to quality, environmental stewardship, and sustainable forestry management. To learn more, please visit www.coombsfamilyfarms.com or view their videos on Youtube.

photo courtesy of Coombs Family Farms

Ingredients:
2 large eggs
3 medium peaches
1/2 cup milk
1 cup flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
3 cups vegetable oil (for frying)
1/2 cup Coombs Family Farms 100% pure organic maple syrup
1/4 tsp nutmeg

Directions:
Beat eggs until egg whites and yolks are thoroughly blended. Stir in milk. Sift flour, baking powder, nutmeg, and salt. Blend into egg mixture until free of lumps. This can be made ahead, like pancake batter, but must be covered and refrigerated.
Wash peaches and towel dry. There is no need to remove the skin, unless it has a thick coating of fuzz. Cut peaches in half and remove pit. Cut each half into 4 wedges. Heat vegetable oil in a 6-cup saucepan over moderately low heat until it reaches 350 F. Press a fork at an angle into the peach wedge to hold it. Dip into batter, covering each peach wedge.
Slide off fork into hot oil and cook until golden brown, about 3 minutes. You may need to roll fritters to brown evenly. Remove fritters and place on a paper towel to drain. Keep warm in a preheated 275 F oven (no more than 30 minutes) until ready to serve. Serve drizzled with Coombs Family Farms 100% pure organic maple syrup or arrange on a platter with a dish of Coombs Family Farms 100% pure organic maple syrup for dipping.

About Coombs Family Farms:
100% pure maple has been a way of life at Coombs Family Farms for seven generations. Since 1988, Coombs Family Farms has produced certified organic maple syrup. A champion of small family farming, Coombs Family Farms also sources 100% pure organic certified maple from other small, independent farmers who share the Coombs commitment to quality, environmental stewardship, and sustainable forestry management. To learn more, please visit www.coombsfamilyfarms.com or view their videos on Youtube.

photo courtesy of Coombs Family Farms

Ingredients:
3/4 cup Coombs Family Farms 100% pure organic maple syrup
1 T water
4 T butter, chilled
2 T heavy cream
6 T butter melted
1 cup sugar
4 golden delicious apples, peeled, seeded and quartered
1 box puff pastry dough, cut into an 8” circle
Vanilla ice cream

Directions:
Pre-heat oven to 350 F

To make caramel sauce:
In a small pot, combine maple syrup and water. Without stirring, heat over medium high heat until syrup boils and turns to a dark brown. Remove from heat and stir in butter and cream. Be careful as the syrup may be hot and may splatter with the addition of the butter and cream. Pour mixture into an 8-inch cake pan.

To make apple filling:
In a medium bowl, combine sugar, butter, and apples. Place apples in heavy baking pan, over syrup mixture. Place puff pastry circle on top of apples; prick with fork. Bake for 25 minutes or until apples are tender. Remove from oven and carefully remove puff pastry. Set puff pastry aside. Put baking pan (with apple mixture) over medium heat and simmer until the juices have completely evaporated. Watch constantly so it doesn’t scorch.

To finish the tarte tatin:
Put puff pastry back on top of apples and flip pan onto large round platter. Remove pan. Slice and serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

About Coombs Family Farms:
100% pure maple has been a way of life at Coombs Family Farms for seven generations (since 1840). Since 1988, Coombs Family Farms has produced certified organic maple syrup. A champion of small family farming, Coombs Family Farms also sources 100% pure organic certified maple from other small, independent farmers who share the Coombs commitment to quality, environmental stewardship, and sustainable forestry management. To learn more, please visit www.coombsfamilyfarms.com or view their videos on Youtube.