Currant And Tea Crumpets Recipes

OLD FASHIONED HOME-MADE ENGLISH CRUMPETS FOR TEA-TIME

Steps:

• Note - you will need 4 crumpet rings, or egg rings or 7.5cm (3in) plain pastry cutters, greased.
• Place the flour and salt into a large bowl and stir in the sugar and yeast making a well in the centre. Pour in the warm milk and water and mix to give quite a thick batter. Beat well until completely combined and cover with a tea towel or cling film.
• Leave in a warm place to rise for about an hour until it's a light, spongy texture. Stir well to knock out any air, add the bicarbonate of soda and pour into a large jug - mix well and allow to stand for a further 30 minutes.
• Heat a non-stick frying pan, or a greased griddle, over a very low heat with a drop of oil or butter. Wipe the pan with kitchen paper to remove excess oil/butter. Sit the greased crumpet rings in the pan and leave to heat up for a couple of minutes.
• Pour in enough mixture to fill the rings just over halfway up the sides. Leave to cook until lots of small holes appear on the surface and the batter has just dried out. This will take about 8-10 minutes.
• Remove the rings and turn over the crumpets to cook for a further minute or two on the other side. Sit the first batch of crumpets on a wire rack whilst continuing to cook the remaining crumpets.
• Serve the crumpets warm, generously buttered. If you are making crumpets in advance, then reheat them by toasting lightly on both sides before serving. (Prep time includes rising time for the yeast dough.).

CURRANT AND TEA CRUMPETS

Steps:

• Add tea and currants into a small bowl.
• Allow to steep until tea is cold and currents plump.
• Sift flour into a clean bowl add sugar and combine well.
• Make a well in the center, add tea mixture and egg.
• Mix with a wooden spoon till all the ingredients are incorporated and the batter is lump free.
• Grease a frying pan with a little butter at a time.
• Drop a tablespoon of batter at a time, try to fit a few at a time in the frying pan.
• Cook over medium heat for 2-3 minutes or until bubbles appear on the surface.
• Turn and cook the other side.
• Repeat with remaining batter.
• Serve with whipped cream.

CRUMPETS

Steps:

• In a bowl stir together the yeast and 240ml warm water and let it stand for 5-10 mins. Add the warm milk, butter, salt and sugar. Add the flour and stir until the batter becomes smooth. Let stand for 30 mins.
• Stir in the baking powder dissolved in water, leave to rise for 20-30 mins.
• Grease a heavy-based frying pan with a little vegetable oil and heat over medium-low heat. Lightly grease 4 x 9cm diameter crumpet rings. Spoon batter into the rings so it comes halfway up the sides. Reduce heat to low, cover with an upturned deep frying pan to give the crumpets space to rise. Cook until the tops look dry, about 10-12 mins.
• Flip them over and cook for 5 mins until golden and firm. Repeat with the remaining batter. Serve toasted with butter or with cheese melted under the grill.

CURRANT TEA BREAD

Steps:

• In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in the milk and lemon zest. Combine flour and baking powder; gradually add to the creamed mixture and mix well. Stir in currants., Transfer to a greased 9x5-in. loaf pan. Bake at 350° for 55-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack.

HOMEMADE CRUMPETS WITH RICOTTA, BERRIES & THYME HONEY

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, heat the milk and 60ml water until warm but not hot. Take off the heat, add the sugar and yeast and stir in, then set aside for 15 mins.
• Sift the flour, bicarb and a large pinch of salt into a mixing bowl. Make a well in the middle and add the milk mixture. Stir to make a batter, then cover with a tea towel and leave for 40-50 mins until frothy.
• When ready to cook, heat a flat, non-stick frying pan over a medium-high heat and oil four cooking rings, roughly 8cm diameter. Add a splash of cooking oil to each ring and tip in a ladleful of the batter (you want them between half and three-quarters full). Cook over a low heat for 15 mins or until bubbles form at the top and pop.
• Gently lift off the ring, running a knife around the edge if it's stuck. Flip the crumpets over to cook the top for a minute or so, then take out of the pan and leave to cool on a wire rack while you cook a second batch.
• When ready to serve, toast the crumpets lightly. Spoon over the ricotta, scatter over the berries and finish with a drizzle of honey.