Hooligans and Shenanigans

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