there’s a glut of Autumnal fruit coming in huge waves direct from the Gunby Hall gardens at the moment… if it’s not one of 27 varieties of pear or 48 varieties of apple then it’s the Damson’s or Greengages… we even have a Mulberry bush in the middle of the formal lawn… it doesn’t produce leather handbags though… the wasps are having an absolute field-day… the air is positively slick with sugar and the last few days of warm sunshine have helped push the fruity plumpness to the max… but you can tell it’s all coming to an end… as the UK is currently experiencing the tail-end of hurricane Katia it has meant the loss of a lot of leaves… the air is turning crisper and the mornings are definitely cold… in fact we’re forecast frost tomorrow… so preserving a little of this fruit before decay… or the wasps get to it… is the obvious answer.
this month’s Breakfast Club, hosted by Sonia’s Kitchen is all about conserves… perfectly timed. I’m not a massive jam fan, I really have to be in the mood… but the lovely Sally recently made this stunning jam in the Gunby tea room… Victoria Plums, Vanilla and Star Anise… so how could I resist… and to be honest, all this jam needs is the ultimate carb vehicle… no, not scones… pancakes!
Bruce Paltrow’s world-famous pancakes
as the name suggests these are taken from Gwyneth Paltrow’s cook book Notes from my Kitchen Table… her recipe yealds 36, so i’ve reduced it by two thirds… if you want more you can do your own maths
116g plain flour
25g granulated sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
250ml buttermilk
25g butter, melted and cooled plus more butter for cooking
2 large eggs
milk to loosen batter
– whisk the dry ingredients together in a bowl
– whisk the buttermilk, butter and eggs together in another bowl
– add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, whisking just enough to combine, let the batter sit, covered, overnight.
– in the morning, heat up your pan and slick it with butter.
– add enough milk to the batter to thin it to your desired consistency… there is no correct thickness, it all depends on how thick you like your pancakes
– cook the pancakes in the pan, flipping them after bubbles appear on the surface of the uncooked side. let them cook for 2-3 minutes more then remove from the heat and serve with the gently warmed up jam
… breakfast of champions my friends!
eat and of course, enjoy!
LOVELY! Although I have been in my jam factory nearly everyday recently, windfalls amassing with every zephyr of wind ~ I am not a huge jam lover either, but I DO like a bit on toast or pancakes, and those look the business! GREAT entry!
Karen
I love jams, marmalades, preserves and pancake. Why have I never slathered the latter with any of the former?
Seems like a great idea.
Best,
Bonnie
I have made no jam for ages following the extensive Chutney Audit earlier this year.
It is a shame, as preserving is one of my favourite things to do.
Lovely breakfast. Thanks for taking part!
I love the writing on that first paragraph … so descriptive of the Fall in an orchard … those wasps get positively drunk on all the sugar at their disposal! Those pancakes … what can I say? They look the breakfast of champions!
There is just something about pancakes that always remind me of being a kid! I love it!!
Ooooh! Yum! We often have pancakes and jam for tea! And your right perfect for breakfast.
Pancakes and jam are a childhood favourite…wel I love them as an adult too. IC that you made Gweneth's dads pancakes as well Dom:D
I don't believe I have ever made pancakes, but my mother made them for us many years ago. You have a very appealing blog.
I've never seen a Mulberry tree – pictures would be nice – pancakes are always a winner. I have a fab handed down recipe. Just remembering I still haven't done my Random Recipe,must schedule that for this weekend.
The pancakes look delicious. When my kids were younger as a treat we would have pancakes for supper. You are so lucky to have all that fruit at your finger tips.
If only I had this in front of me right now. Man that stack just calls to me.
[Sniff] I have a cold! Another sure sign that the 'summer' has long gone ;0(
But I don't think some of your pankcakes and jam for breakfast would help cheer me up [sniff … sniff … cough … splutter … whimper]
Fancy a trip to Edinburgh? ;0)
I've been fighting with myself about making pancakes whole week and now you've ruined me 😀
These look so tasty combined with jam!
Oh, how I love jam 🙂
I love pancakes, especially with jam – have been making loads of damson jam this year but I am VERY jealous of your greengages. I haven't seen any around here in Derbyshire for years, except for a well-overpriced punnet in the supermarket. In France they're called “reine-claudes” and they're very abundant and cheap, but seem to come earlier in the year, in July.
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Dom, you are doing so well with Gunby Hall – how fabulous to have access to all that fruit. I've persuaded my mother, who has a garden big enough, to plant a black mulberry along with a quince and a medlar. I love mulberries – only have to wait a few years now 😉 That pile of scones looks truly decadent and truly scrumptious.
What a brilliant breakfast Dom! Now this is my kind of start to the day. I have to agree with Choclette- it must be so wonderful to have access to all these wonderful foods at Gunby. Next time I'm in your neck of the woods I'm definitely paying the Hall a visit!
They look fab – I'd love pancakes for breakfast slathered with jam, it's just a shame I'm so lazy!