Panakuchen

A few months ago, some friends talked me into getting on Facebook.

At first I was bored. Then it just became an extra thing to do in my day. But now, a few months into it, I've discovered a great use for Facebook---sharing recipes.

The other day, my friend Ann in Minneapolis wrote in her Status Update that she made panakuchen and ate the entire thing---maybe because of the half a stick of butter she put into it, she joked.

Panakuchen is essentially a German or Scandinavian pancake/crepe. I've seen various spellings, but this is the one Ann used for her recipe, so that's what I'm going with. Commenting on her Status Update, I asked for the recipe. She quickly responded, saying it was her Auntie Anne's recipe and it looked so simple and delicious that I decided to make my own little Private Sunday Brunch.

Auntie Anne's Panakuchen

Ingredients:
2 eggs
3 shakes of nutmeg
1/2 cup unbleached flour
1/2 cup of milk
1/2 a stick of butter
* I added 1 heaping tablespoon of sugar to the recipe, just because I felt like it.

Directions: Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Put half a stick of butter in a glass pie pan. I'm originally from a little further south, so I tend to use salted butter, even in a lot of baked goods---so that's what I used here. Put this in the oven and let it melt and slightly brown. While this is working, beat two eggs with a wire whisk in a small bowl. I used fresh grated nutmeg, and added the equivalent of a little less than three shakes, as fresh nutmeg is more powerful than the pre-grated stuff. I then whisked in the flour, milk and sugar till smooth. By then, the butter had melted and I simply poured the mixture into the pie pan and put it back in the oven on the middle rack. I set my kitchen timer for 20 minutes and just walked away.

However, 15 minutes in, I began to smell yummy buttery goodness emanating from my oven and I couldn't resist taking a peek.

I opened the oven door and was surprised to find a beautiful pop-over rise occuring all around the edges of the pie pan! I quickly shut the door and got out my camera. This baby was Bea-u-ti-ful!!!

Five minutes later, it was perfectly done and was so simple to ease out of the pie pan with a spatula and onto a dish whereupon I began breaking it apart and just eating it plain---it was that good!

A little later, I pulled out the jar of lingonberry jam I'd picked up on my last trip to Ikea and spread bits of jam on each bite. And yes, like Ann, I ate the whole thing! Ann suggested pretty much any topping from fresh fruit to whipped cream, maple syrup, fruit spreads... It's so delicious and attractive, you could easily just dust it with a little powdered sugar and serve it up like that. Or maybe get more elaborate and add some savory toppings like strips of ham or some leftover roast chicken with peppers and mushrooms.

After I ate it, I posted my own Status Update, thanking Ann for the delicious panakuchen recipe and posting the picture I'd taken before I began ripping it apart. Happily, Ann was also on Facebook at the time and was happy that I'd tried it, "Butter-licious, isn't it?" Mmmmm. Butter.

I wonder what all my other Facebook Friends are cooking?