Hello my Foodie Friends!
Many of our foodies may be traveling to visit family or friends this holiday season or may be hosting a holiday breakfast or dinner. Often times we are not sure what to bring to add to the meal that is being made. One item that is always welcomed is Popovers. When it comes to holiday dining, a special place is held at the table for popovers. But aren’t they difficult to bake? Not at all. In fact, you could even consider them the easiest - and perhaps tastiest - item on your menu this holiday season.
Twisted, warm, light and buttery, popovers are muffin-like pancakes, popovers are baked in melted butter. They are delicious served beside a roast, and are also divine slathered with butter and jam, filled with a poached egg, or dusted with cinnamon and sugar.
Most people fall into a rut when it comes to bread options. However, popovers can be a deceptively simple item that will impress your guests and tickle their taste buds. Not only are popovers cost effective, they’re also a breeze to make as long as you follow a few simple rules: make sure the pan is hot before pouring in the batter, don’t fill the cups more than half full, and no opening the oven while they’re baking.
Having the correct pan is important to making airy popovers with golden domes. The secret is how the batter lies in the pan. Popover pans are used for making popovers. They are specially constructed to convey the heat directly to the batter, which needs to be added to a hot pan, similar to the way Yorkshire puddings are made. Popover pans are also made with tall, narrow cups, which create a distinctive shape. This creates steam that helps the popovers expand and become light and hollow on the inside. Then you can stuff them with things. A popover pan is deep with steep-sided wells. This forces the batter upwards creating puffy domes and crispy sides. Investing in a real popover pan eventually starts to feel quite justifiable. These tins are really only useful for making popovers, but oh, what beautiful popovers they make! The trick is to make sure the pan is very hot before you add the butter and the batter.
At Compliments to the Chef, we carry popover pans from Nordicware and USA Pan. Both the Nordicware pan and USA Pans are made in the U.S.A. These pans are designed to allow maximum airflow so popovers reach their full height.
This holiday season, if you are not sure what to pop on over with to visit a friend or a family member, think about a creative popover to serve with the meal. Come visit your Neighborhood Kitchen and Cutlery store located at 33 Railroad Place, where we have cool tools for cooks! Have fun with family and friends. Remember, “Life Happens in the Kitchen.”
Take Care, John & Paula
