Easy & Elegant Crêpes

Crepes make any breakfast feel special. (And *shh* they’re no more difficult or costly to make than pancakes). I like to whip these up for my family on birthdays and holidays, or serve them to friends for an elegant brunch with bacon and coffee.

I perfected this recipe when I worked as a chef at a bed and breakfast, and it was so rewarding to see the guests feel extra pampered and taken care of. Try it out on your loved ones this coming holiday weekend!

A few tips to make it low waste:

• Flour – buy in a paper bag and be sure to compost OR open, shake the bag outside and recycle. Or if you have access to bulk bins – use those!
  
• GF Flour – search your local health food store’s bulk bins for a blend or some oats. I blended my oats in the food processor, then sifted for a smooth texture. (I skip the sifting for cookies, muffins, and breads).
  
• Eggs – buy in paper cartons and recycle.
  
• Milk – buy in glass if available, or the largest recyclable plastic container you’ll use.
  
• Butter – buy a paper box and recycle it. Sadly the wax paper contains paraffin so toss the wrappers.
  
• Vanilla Extract – Trader Joes offers a glass bottle option!
  
• Salt – buy in paper or from bulk bins.

INGREDIENTS:
(makes 6-7 Nine inch crêpes)

• 1 C flour of choice
• pinch of salt
• 1 C milk of choice
• 3 eggs
• 3 T melted butter
• 1 t vanilla extract

DIRECTIONS:

• Mix flour and salt in a small bowl.
• Whisk together milk, eggs and vanilla in a medium bowl.
• Slowly pour melted butter into wet ingredients *while whisking* to avoid lumps.
• Whisk dry ingredients into wet ingredients.
• Heat a 9″ (or so) stainless steel pan over medium heat with a tablespoon of butter.
• Pour 1/4C batter into the pan while swirling the pan to disperse the batter in an even layer.
• Cook until the crêpe is no longer wet to the touch, but not yet crisp (about one minute). Flip onto a plate and serve with desired toppings!

SERVING SUGGESTIONS:

• Bananas, peanut butter and fair trade chocolate chips
• Thinly sliced apples and cinnamon
• Raspberry jam
• A squeeze of lemon juice and powdered or granulated sugar
• Savory: cheeses, breakfast meats, sautéed veggies