She Strengthens

Indulge in the Art of French Crêpes

Renowned chef and Tante Marie teacher Jodi Liano shares her secrets for crafting delectable, effortless French crêpes. With a few simple ingredients and some expert techniques, you can create a culinary masterpiece that will impress anyone.

The Perfect Batter

To begin, combine 1 cup of all-purpose flour, a pinch of kosher salt, and a pinch of granulated sugar in a blender. Add 1 1/2 cups of whole milk, 2 large eggs, and 3 tablespoons of unsalted butter. Blend on high for approximately 30 seconds, until the mixture is smooth and well combined. Allow the batter to rest in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes or overnight.

Cooking the Crêpes

When you’re ready to cook the crêpes, melt 1/2 tablespoon of butter in a 10-inch nonstick skillet or an 8-inch crêpe pan over medium heat. As the butter melts, swirl it around to coat the bottom of the pan. Pour in about 1/4 cup of the batter and immediately swirl and tilt the pan to create a thin, even layer. If the batter sets before the skillet is coated, reduce the heat slightly.

The Flipping Technique

Return the skillet to the heat and cook until the crêpe is golden around the edges and dry in the center, about 1 to 2 minutes. Tilt the skillet, sliding half the crêpe off the skillet and onto a rubber spatula. Flip both the spatula and crêpe over so that the crêpe lands back in the skillet, and cook for about 20 seconds more. Alternatively, use the back of a spoon to spread another 1/2 tablespoon of butter over the crêpe, then sprinkle with a bit of powdered sugar and a squeeze of lemon.

Serving Suggestions

Slide the crêpe onto a serving plate and fold it in half, then in half again. Repeat with the remaining batter, buttering the pan as needed (after about every other crêpe). Serve immediately and enjoy with your favorite toppings, such as jam, Nutella, fresh sliced strawberries, or smoked salmon and crème fraîche. The possibilities are endless!

Tips and Variations

For a delicious twist, try spreading your crêpes with jam or Nutella, or folding them around fresh sliced strawberries or smoked salmon and crème fraîche. You can also experiment with different flavor combinations and toppings to create your own unique crêpe creations. With Jodi’s expert guidance, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a crêpe master!