And what on earth is a Dutch Baby?
This fluffy German pancake is often called a Dutch Baby, (what?). Aunty Google tells me it is also called a Puff Pancake, Dutch Puff, Hooligan Pancake, and some call it Pannenkoeken or a Hootenanny.
Hooligans
We like to call it a Hooligan. Because when it puffs up you just never know what shape you are going to get. I only make savory ones but many here in America make them sweet.
And you know it is a lost cause trying to sweeten me up!
My Mum would make these straight into the hot fat drippings of a beef roast. She always made a big one – not having the patience for tiny individual pop overs.
Now. When I have help in the farm we make lunch from as much farm food as possible. At this time of the year that means eggs. And greens from the glasshouse. I was going to make quiche then R and I; R is my super co-worker now, got so carried away with farm work that we ran out of time.
R and I. I like that!! All farm work is easier either way two people.
So we made a quick hooligan.
Place your favorite cast iron pan in the oven and preheat your oven to 450F. Get that pan smoking hot.
Whisk in a bowl.
- 3/4 cup milk
- 3 eggs ( room temp)
- 1/2 cup flour (add slowly as you whisk)
- 1 heaped tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons cooled melted butter
- Pepper and salt to taste
I think that was all.
Here is a very pretty recipe to make a slightly bigger one. With lots of words. And more stuff. But. You know me. I just want the recipe!! And as simple as possible.
Whisk together until you have a nice smooth batter. Pull the hot pan out of the oven. Add 1 tablespoon of butter to the hot, hot pan. It will melt fast so have your batter ready. Pour the batter into the butter and return to the oven. Bake 20 – 25 minutes. It will puff up. Then slowly deflate. Make sure your audience (oops I mean farmers) are at the table with forks at the ready. I topped this one with pan fried onions and kale then topped that with Parmesan cheese.
Shenanigans
The chicken tractor tank was moved with great difficulty into the field with the Big Pigs and Two Black Cows.
Jude was very helpful even going so far as to scratch his back on the tractor tire as it was moving!
While FreeBee retired to the back of the field for a sleep (supervising from afar), Jude inspected every step in his self appointed role of foreman.
Rearranging the straw to suit. Helping to shove the buildings as we moved the two huts together.
As well as shelter from the wind this will give them shade from the afternoon sun and a lovely sleeping porch in the summer.
Naturally the black cows were all over it but I had put a bar across the door so they could not get in.
R and I dragged the two broken calf huts into the space left by the tin tank chicken tractor to make a more pleasing arrangement for the chickens.
Because – you know – chickens care about the aesthetics of their environments.
And then we downed tools and called it a day.
Today I pack. I travel tomorrow. And due to this being the year of ‘hand luggage only’ my packing is really about choosing what not to take as opposed to what to take!
Go HERE for ten minutes of me trying to video FreeBee enjoying his new Tin Tank sleeping porch. It is kind of amusing!!
Take care! Talk soon.
Leave me a comment – you know how I love to chat! After all – I would not be here without you.
Celi
The Kitchen's Garden 
30 responses to “Hooligans and Shenanigans”
It looks a bit like a big Yorkshire pudding. I swear hubby asked me to marry him when he learned I knew how to make a Yorkshire pudding!! Travel safely!!
Yes! It is. But not quite as light? Tasty too.
+ 1 from me – it definitely looks like a Yorkshire Pudding.
Such helpful animals! Bon voyage!
you would have laughed. Jude was giddy with excitement!! Yes it is a Yorkshire pudding but served as a meal with toppings. And I still call it a hooligan! 😂😀
Bless him!
I was also thinking it looked like a Yorkshire Pudding, came here to write this and saw the community has already observed that!
Happy packing and safe travels.
our wonderful community!! Good morning Grace!
watched the video last night, it really made me laugh. Nice to read more detail today. Happy travels, will miss the farmy tales and pics but look forward to hearing your travel tales.✈️💕
It always makes me happy how these two publications support each other.
I am going to make this today!! Appreciate you passing along the recipe! I still still make the museli recipe you shared years ago!!
Oh! Nice! I have half a jar left and hate to leave it uneaten! I might take it to eat on the plane. 😂
I used to make these hooligans for our inn guests an it was always a mad dash from the oven to show them what they looked like before they deflated. Always fun, and for me, always savory.
Oh yes! I bet they loved them! I remember making them with my workers- long ago. For second breakfast.
I will make this for sure! We have lots of eggs! I’m thinking using duck eggs might make it even fluffier. What do you think? So excited about your travels! And you only using a carry on suitcase! I always challenge myself to do the same! I think packing cubes are great! (I meant to tell you that on your packing post awhile back.) They enable me to carry more in an organized fashion. Looking forward to traveling vicariously with you! XO
“Because – you know – chickens care about the aesthetics of their environments.” There’s our Celi- ever so subtly tossing in a bit of her wit and humor 🙂 Have a calm and easy day getting yourself sorted and ready to fly
My mother would occasionally make apple Dutch babies for my father. He really preferred regular pancakes or waffles. You just add a tablespoon of sugar and some chopped apples to the batter. My maternal grandmother would put chicken a la king over waffles for dinner once in awhile.
Oo. The apples sound like a lovely addition. I will try that!
I caramelize apples or pears in a cast iron skillet and then pour the batter over them. I call this a Dutch baby, but I love the name “hooligan.”
Yes, Apfel Küchen!: )
I believe you are travelling here to Alberta. Forewarned we are back to snowmagedon again, but it’s warm too.
I heard there was a little snow coming in. Evidently we are going kiting on the lake. Whatever the hell that is. I’m up for it though.
As long as I’m going non-stop, I check a bag, just to avoid having to make difficult decisions. I’m going into warmth when I travel next (Texas) so I may change my mind and just do a back pack. Canada would be trickier. My older daughter makes sweet Dutch babies. I’ve never tried one but would be willing to eat either type!
And the other problem with Canada is it is so bloody cold! But that’s fine. My son has piles of warm clothes.
work is almost always easier shared – have a wonderful trip!
I make Dutch hooligans all the time 🙂 ..usually always savory but since there are kids around sometimes, a slightly sweet one with fresh fruit is always yummy. They are the perfect vessel for whatever you have in the garden or fridge and so impress the breakfast/lunch/dinner guests.
Impressive new piggy, chicky digs!
Have a wonderful time in Canada..one of my favorite places on earth!
My eldest granddaughter makes dutch babies with the sourdough starter I made for her a couple of Christmases ago. She took that starter and ran with it, making way more things than I ever attempted, crackers, tortillas and on and on. It’s important to pass these things on, I also taught her to make a proper Old Fashioned cocktail – have to have our priorities in order, right?
The Old Fashioned is most important!! Sour Hooligans sound pretty cool!
I have never had a savory Dutch baby. We top with berries or bananas and a drizzle of maple syrup.