Pancake Challenge #2) French Orange Flower Water Crepes with Cognac

(as adapted from Crêpes au Cognac et arôme de fleur d'oranger)

This one took a little more preparation and searching than I had expected. After failing to find Orange Blossom Water (or sometimes known as Orange Flower Water) in Korea, I had to wait for my next iHerb!

Orange Blossom (or flower) Water is the perfumed water created as a by-product of distillation of fresh bitter orange blossoms (which are distilled for their essential oil). Although it is often used in baking,  cocktails (it's in my favourite gin-fizz!) and even perfumes, it's as commonly found in shops.

I came upon this recipe when I was searching for the recipe of my favourite cognac crepes. When I was a kid, they used to serve it as a dessert at our family's favourite Teppanyaki restaurant we went once a year for birthdays.

After brushing up on my limited French and compiling several recipes found on the internet, we started our Sunday with Crêpes au Cognac et arôme de fluer d'oranger (Crepes with Cognac and Orange Flower Water). I also made a simple orange sauce to drizzle over the crepes, which despite its simplicity was unexpectedly a winner!

Crêpes au Cognac et arôme de fluer d'oranger

(makes 2 - around 6 to 8 crepes depending on size)

Ingredients (Pancake): 

• 3 medium eggs
• 1 1/4cup of milk
• 3 table spoon of butter (unsalted)
• 1 cup of all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon of baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon of salt
• 1/4 teaspoon of vanilla
• 1 tbsp of Brown Sugar (or caster sugar) 
• 1 tbsp of Orange Blossum Water (plus a tea-spoon if you like the scent!)
• 1 tbsp of Cognac (or more)

Ingredients (Orange Syrup):

• 1 cup of Orange Juice (freshly squeezed works best if not 100% natural juice)
• 1 tbsp of brown sugar (or caster sugar)  
• 1/4 teaspoon of Orange Blossum Water (optional)
• 1/4 teaspoon of lemon zest 
• 1 tsp of Cognac (Optional)

Steps:
If you're making the syrup - start with it first and let it simmer whilst you cook the pancakes!

1. In a small saucepan add all the ingredients
2. Simmer the sauce in Low-Med heat until the sauce thickens (10 - 15 minutes)
3. If you're feeling rather indulgent - add in a tablespoon of butter to melt in 

(In the spirit of keeping things simple and 1 bowl)

1. Melt the butter in a bowl (or if you leave it out - softened butter works well too)
2. Whisk in the eggs and whip until well mixed
3. Add in the milk, vanilla and Orange  mix well 
4. Using a sifter add the dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, salt, sugar)
5. Mix until there are no lumps and the batter is smooth 
6. Add in the cognac (seriously go for more if you like it
7. Heat the non-stick frying pan in Medium-High heat and lightly oil the pan with butter or vegetable oil
8. Take 2-3 Tbsp (or a small laddle) of batter and pour in the middle of the pan
9. Taking the bottom of laddle spread out the batter into a thin mixture in a circular motion
10. As the batter is thin it'll be ready to be flipped after 30 - 45 seconds
11. Cook on both sides and transfer to a plate and cover to keep warm!

You can either eat them flat like a pancake (and add bananas like Lee did in an attempt to create 'pancake art' suitable for instagram) or roll them up like I did!
Either way make sure you give a good drizzle of the orange syrup on top... and then eat your heart away on a lazy Sunday :)