How to Impress The Morning After

Your in-laws dropped by unannounced to stay the night.

You met a hottie at the book club and convinced them to come home with you.

Maybe you're trying to break some important news to that special someone.

My impressively awesome solution: crepes. Yes, the really thin French pancakes. They require few ingredients that you already have at home and are easy to make. Plus you can adjust the filling to any occasion.

Note: this is for people who like French cuisine. It's easy, but that doesn't mean it isn't rich.

I use the Better Homes and Gardens New Cookbook recipe which goes as follows:

2 Eggs (beaten)
1.5 cups milk
1 cup flour
1 tablespoon cooking oil
0.25 teaspoon salt

What I use for filling and cooking:
butter
chocolate chips
confectioner's sugar
cocoa powder

Mix the ingredients together in a medium sized mixing bowl until they are smooth. Usually I get a few clumps of flour even when I'm mixing really well. Don't worry if that happens to you, it won't impact the texture of the crepes (they'll still be delicious).

Heat your skillet on medium (play until you find the right temperature). Take a stick  of butter to your skillet and rub it around until you have a nice coat of bubbling butter. If you butter is smoking (burning), the pan's too hot. If the butter isn't crackling, it's too cold.

Use a 0.25 cup measuring cup to scoop crepe batter into pan. Let the batter spread (swirl around if necessary). When the batter no longer gives to slight pressure (of your spatula) or when it is solid, your crepe is done.

Place it on a plate. For chocolate crepes, place a maximum of 6 chocolate chips in crepe. Fold crepe around chips. Once you have 4 small crepes on a plate, sprinkle confectioner's sugar and cocoa powder over top. Place on a charger and serve with coffee or strong black tea. Mmmm! Delicious! Serve this to your family, friends, or lover and know that you are impressively awesome.



NOTE: Extra batter should not be kept. Make all crepes storing with wax paper between each crepe and foil around. They can be frozen or kept for 1-2 days in fridge (though I suspect you'll eat them immediately!). Other delicious fillings are fruit sauces, vegetables or meat in cream sauces, or whatever you love! My second go-to is a berry reduction (wine takes that up a notch if you want to blow people away). In that case, skip the cocoa powder and stick with the confectioner's sugar, or drizzle a little sauce on side and garnish with fresh berries and a mint sprig.