A Pancake Extravaganza by Rachel Allen

Tuesday is pancake time. In all their shapes and forms, they are a real favourite in our household. It isn’t just our children who get excited – I adore pancakes and love an excuse to make a real feast of them. There’s something so pleasingly simple, so supremely comforting about a perfectly browned pancake, unchallenging and uncomplicated, but always delicious.

We’ll make all different sorts of pancakes on different years, and often on the same day. I love thin pancakes – they’re called crepes in France, where they’re usually made with some buckwheat flour. I like to eat them rolled up with lemon and sugar, or the perennial favourite, Nutella! We like to make thin pancakes as a savoury treat too, omitting the sugar and making a creamy mushroom filling with bacon and perhaps some Gruyere cheese.

If you’d like to make your pancakes a little more elaborate than just a squeeze of lemon and sugar, you can try this divine orange butter recipe, opposite, that we often make at the cookery school.

At other times, we like to make big, fluffy American pancakes, served with rashers and plenty of maple syrup. I’ve written recipes for blueberry and lemon pancakes in these pages before, as well as in a number of my cookbooks.

The Italian recipe here is a totally different take on pancakes that I’ve made on Pancake Tuesday in previous years. It was inspired by a conversation I had with the great Italian chef, Aldo Zilli. He told me a wonderful story about his mother using light pancakes as an alternative to pasta in certain dishes, and I’ve discovered that they work wonderfully with rich tomato sauces. The Italian baked pancakes with tomato sauce recipe, opposite, uses the pancakes in place of lasagne sheets, which adds a fluffiness to the dish. It’s a perfect family dish and would make a great centrepiece to a Shrove Tuesday dinner table.

Tip

Adding melted butter to the pancake batter will make a real difference to the pancakes’ flavour and texture. It also makes it possible to cook them without having to grease the pan every time.

Pancake Recipes:

http://www.rachelallen.com/blog/pancake-extravaganza

February 16, 2026

Buttermilk #pancakes @simplybetterds by @nevenmaguire @macneanhouse

https://www.instagram.com/tv/CaSTyzcJjo8/?igshid=MDJmNzVkMjY=

simplybetterds

Pancake Tuesday is only one week away! Watch our brand ambassador @nevenmaguire show you how to prepare these delicious Buttermilk Pancakes with a range of Simply Better toppings using our Handmade Toffee Sauce from @whatsforpudding.ie our Mixed Berry Preserve from @wexford_preserves and our Frozen Irish Strawberries from @clarkesfreshfruit
Shop the Simply Better Collection in your local @dunnesstores

Simply Better Pancake Board
Ingredients (Serves 4)
2 Simply Better Free Range Corn Fed Large Eggs
2 Cups (250g) Plain Flour
2 Tbsp. Caster Sugar
½ Tsp Baking Powder
½ Tsp Baking Soda
2 Cups (480ml) Buttermilk
Pinch of salt
40g Butter, melted plus an extra 10g for frying the pancakes
To Serve:
For the Blueberry Sauce:
100ml Simply Better Organic Grade A Canadian Maple Syrup
1 Punnet of Fresh Blueberries
Juice and zest of half a lime
1 Tsp Cornflour, mixed with cold water (Optional)
For the Mixed Berry Compote:
1 Bag of Simply Better Expertly Grown Irish Strawberries
1 Jar of Simply Better Handmade Mixed Berry Preserve
1 Tsp Vanilla Extract
For the Caramelised Bananas:
Simply Better Handmade Sea Salted Toffee Sauce
3 Bananas
100g Pecan Nuts
Method:
1. Place all of the pancake ingredients in a large bowl and whisk to combine. Leave to rest for 10 minutes before using.
2. Add the butter to a pan over medium low heat. Once the butter begins to bubble, add ⅓ cup (80 ml) of batter to the pan.
3. Cook until the top side begins to bubble and the bottom is golden brown. Flip the pancake and cook until the underside is golden brown. Repeat with the remaining batter.
4. To make the blueberry sauce, add the maple syrup, lime juice, zest and blueberries to a saucepan and simmer over a medium heat. For a slightly thicker sauce, add the cornflour to the sauce and cook through for 1-2 minutes.
5. To make the fruit compote, add the frozen mixed berries, berry preserve and vanilla to a saucepan and simmer over a medium heat for 4-5 minutes.
6. To make the caramelised bananas, heat the toffee sauce in a small frying pan over a medium heat. Slice the bananas and add to the sauce pan along with the pecan nuts. Toss to combine.

#brandambassador #pancakes #recipe #recipes #cooking

51w

February 11, 2026

White Soda Bread recipe @Ballymaloe Co.Cork ❤️

INGREDIENTS

Preheat the oven to 250deg C

Makes 1 loaf

450g (1lb, 31/2 cups) plain flour
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
300-600ml (1/2 – 1 pint, 1 1/4 – 2 1/2 cups) sour milk or buttermilk

METHOD

Sieve the dry ingredients. Make a well in the centre.

Pour in all the milk at once. Using 1 hand, with your fingers stiff and outstretched like a claw, stir in a full circular movement from the centre to the outside of the bowl in ever increasing circles. The dough should be softish, not too wet and sticky. When it all comes together, turn it out onto a well-floured work surface. Wash and dry your hands. Tidy it up and flip over gently. Pat the dough into a round, about 4cm deep.

Cut a deep cross on the loaf and prick in the four corners.

Bake in the oven for 15 minutes then turn down to 200deg C for 30 minutes until cooked. If you are in doubt, tap the bottom of the bread, when it is cooked it will sound hollow. Cool on a wire rack.

Tip! Soda breads are best eaten on the day they are made, but are still good the next day.

Spotted Dog

Follow the recipe above adding: 1 dessert spoon of sugar, 100g sultanas, 1 egg.

Add the sugar and the sultanas with the flour and drop the egg in with the milk before missing. Spotted dog is also called railway cake in some parts of Ireland.

Stripy Cat

Follow the spotted dog recipe replacing the sultanas with 75g of roughly chopped best quality chocolate.

Come to savour culinary delights at Ballymaloe House Hotel.BOOK YOUR STAY

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February 10, 2026February 10, 2026

Saffron,Honey and Ricotta ice cream.🌹@HaughtonHoney

Haughton Honey‏ @HaughtonHoney Apr 20

This Saffron, Honey and Ricotta ice cream isn’t too sweet – perfect for after a big meal http://ow.ly/JzY8309yutW #honey #icecream

Ricotta adds an interesting texture here, and the saffron makes it wonderfully fragrant.

Serves 6

500ml/17 fl oz whole milk

1 tsp of saffron threads

5 egg yolks

200g/7oz sugar

250ml/8½ fl oz double cream

500g/1lb 2oz ricotta

2 tbsp honey, plus extra to serve

2 handfuls of toasted pine nuts, to serve

Bring the milk and saffron to a simmer and keep warm.

In a large bowl, combine the yolks and sugar and beat until pale.

Add half the warm milk to the egg mixture and whisk again until combined. Pour the mix into the saucepan along with the remaining warm milk. Cook over a low heat, stirring constantly until the mixture thickens into a custard and coats the back of a wooden spoon. Remove from the heat and whisk in the double cream, followed by the ricotta and the honey, until blended.

Churn in an ice cream maker according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Serve sprinkled with toasted pine nuts and a little extra honey.

February 8, 2026

Egg & dairy free pancakes – toppngs: peanut butter, sliced banana, squash blueberries. Recipe by @babyledfeeding @dunnesstores

dunnesstoresVerified
The perfect snack for your little ones this Pancake Tuesday 🥞 Try this Egg and Dairy Free Pancakes from @babyledfeeding, full recipe below!

Makes 12 Pancakes

1 tbsp milled chia seeds
3 tbsp warm water
180ml (3/4 cup) almond milk
140g (1 cup) self-raising flour
Drizzle olive oil

Toppings

Plant-Based 🌱
• Smooth peanut butter, sliced banana, squash blueberries and a sprinkle of milled chia seeds.
• Chocolate spread (made with mashed banana + 1/4 tsp cocoa powder), sliced strawberries, passionfruit and mint leaves.

Dairy Toppings 🧀
• Smooth goat cheese, sliced avocado, finely chopped coriander.
• Greek yogurt (or swap for a plant-based yogurt), sliced kiwi, finely crushed seeds.

Add chia seeds and warm water to a small bowl, stir then leave to sit for about 2 minutes until it turns into a jelly substance.

Pour the almond milk into a mixing bowl then add the chia mixture and flour, then stir until it is smooth and combined.

Heat a little olive oil on a pan, then divide the mixture into small portions. Fry both sides until golden.

To serve pick your favourite topping choice. Smooth on the sauce then top with your choice of fruit, crushed seeds or finely chopped herbs.2d

February 6, 2026

Neven Maguire’s mushroom & leek strudel with madeira wine sauce from Neven’s Portuguese Food Trails

Neven Maguire’s mushroom & leek strudel with madeira wine sauce

Ingredients

Serves 4-6

For the strudel

2 tbsp olive oil, plus extra for oiling
1 small onion, peeled and finely diced
2 garlic cloves, peeled and crushed
225g mixed wild mushrooms roughly chopped
1 small leek, washed and finely sliced
2 tbsp double cream
2 tbsp Madeira Wine
2 tbsp chopped parsley
4-5 sheets filo pastry, thawed if frozen (about 100g/4oz in total)
1 egg, beaten
salt and freshly ground black pepper
mixed salad leaves, to serve

For the madeira wine sauce

700ml beef stock
1 tbsp tomato purée
3 tbsp Madeira Wine
3 tbsp cream

Method

For the strudel

Preheat the oven to 190°C/375°F/ gas mark 5.
Line a baking tray with parchment paper.
Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan.
Add the onion, garlic and mushrooms and cook over a medium to high heat for 2-3 minutes until almost tender.
Reduce the heat, add the cream and Madeira to the pan and cook for another minute.
Add herbs and salt and pepper to taste.
Sauté for another minute until the spring onions are just tender and the liquid has almost completely reduced.
Allow to cool completely.
Unroll the sheets of filo pastry and place them all, one on top of the other, on a work surface.
Brush the top sheet of pastry with beaten egg and then spread over the mushroom mixture to within 4cm (1½in) of the edges.
Fold the short ends inwards a little to meet the mushroom mixture and then, starting with a long edge, roll up the pastry fairly tightly like you would a Swiss roll, keeping the mushrooms in place as you roll.
Place the strudel seam-side down on the parchment paper and brush it all over with the remaining beaten egg.
Bake for 20-25 minutes until crisp and golden brown.
Allow to cool for a few minutes before carefully placing on a chopping board.
Cut the strudel into thick slices and arrange on warmed plates. Drizzle some sauce beside it and serve with some mixed salad leaves.

For the madeira wine sauce

Heat a heavy based saucepan, add the Madeira Wine and reduce by half.
Gradually whisk in the beef stock until smooth, followed by the tomato purée.
Simmer for approximately 5 minutes, stirring occasionally until slightly thickened.
Whisk in the cream, bring to the boil, season to taste and thicken with some diluted cornflower.
Set aside until required.

Salmon Teriyaki Bowl with Broccoli and Avocado 🥑 @dunnesstores

dunnesstores

Verified

•

Liked by

collettefinne and others

dunnesstoresVerified
Healthy ✅ Tasty ✅ Affordable ✅ Try this tasty Salmon Teriyaki Bowl using ingredients from our own label range 😋

Ingredients:
1 tbsp sunflower or olive oil
2 salmon fillets
100ml teriyaki sauce
200g broccoli, cut into florets
1 avocado, sliced

To serve:
Basmati rice, cooked
1 red chilli, sliced (optional)
1 spring onion, sliced (optional)

Method
Marinate the salmon fillets for 10 minutes before cooking. Heat a frying pan over medium heat and add in the oil.
Once hot, brush most of the marinade from the salmon and cook skin side down on the pan for 3 minutes. Flip and cook for another 3 minutes. Remove from the pan and pour the remaining teriyaki sauce into the pan and cook for 2 minutes on a low heat.
Meanwhile, steam or boil the broccoli until al dente.
Serve the salmon on a bed of basmati rice along with the broccoli and avocado. Drizzle over with remaining sauce and garnish with chilli slices and spring onion.4d

January 28, 2026

.@nevenmaguire makes simply delicious Pad Thai @dunnesstores with Chef Yo.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C7AAVU2MowW/?igsh=MWZsNXNwcW1vdHhrdA==

dunnesstores
We have partnered up with @sabarestaurantdublin to create our new @simplybetterds Thai Food range. Watch our brand ambassador @nevenmaguire learn how to make this delicious Phad Thai with Chef Yo. Find the full recipe below and shop the ingredients in your local @dunnesstores.

Phad Thai
Ingredients (Serves 2)
• 200g Rice Stick Noodles
• 6 Raw Tiger Prawns, shell removed
• 175g Simply Better Irish Corn Fed Chicken Breast Fillets, thinly sliced
• 2 Tbsp Simply Better Cold Pressed Rapeseed Oil (for wok)
• 2 Simply Better Free Range Corn Fed Large Eggs, beaten
• 1 Tbsp Simply Better Cold Pressed Rapeseed Oil (for eggs)
• 80g Bean Sprouts
• 40g Spring Onions, diced 1cm
• 100g Simply Better Thai Phad Thai Wok Sauce
• 1 Tbsp Unsalted Roasted Peanuts, crushed
• 1 Tsp Dried Crushed Chillies
• 20g Fried Shallots

Method:
1. Soak the noodles in cold water until soft, about 30 minutes, then rinse under cold water and keep to one side.
2. Bring a wok to a medium to high heat, add the oil, then the chicken and stir for 2 minutes before adding the prawns and stir for another minute.
3. Bring the chicken and prawn to one side of the wok. Add the remaining oil and the beaten eggs.
4. Stir quickly and mix the egg with the chicken and prawns.
5. Add the noodles, stir for 1 minute until the noodles start to soften.
6. Then add the sauce and stir well to cover the noodles.
7. Add the bean sprouts and spring onions. Toss them through quickly for just 30 seconds to make sure the vegetables remain crunchy.
8. Serve in warmed bowls with a sprinkle of the crushed peanuts, fried shallots and dried chillies.2d

January 27, 2026

Crêpes with banana, salted caramel and cream, wholemeal pikelet with blueberry 😋compote @rachelallencooks

rachelallencooks

and

ballymaloecookeryschool

Liked by ma.rcie8679 and others

rachelallencooks
‘Give your pancakes a French, Australian or American twist with Rachel Allen’s delicious recipes’

“If you’re looking for a new take on this age-old recipe, try a crepe with banana, salted caramel and cream, wholemeal pikelet with blueberry compote, American pancake with maple syrup and rashers, or buckwheat blini with salmon and creme fraiche

The cooking of pancakes dates way back to prehistoric times where batters made from stoneground flour and water were cooked over fire. Sometimes leavened with yeast and other raising agents, pancakes can take on many slightly dissimilar guises. Essentially flat cakes, pancakes in France are thin and sometimes a little crisp around the edges as the name crepe would suggest: like the thin fabric with a wrinkled surface. Serve with this salted caramel sauce recipe, below, as well as banana slices and softly whipped cream. Once made, the sauce will keep for a month or more. It gets thicker in the fridge so just reheat to serve.”

Swipe along to one of the recipes, to see the others please go to:
https://www.independent.ie/life/food-drink/recipes/give-your-pancakes-a-french-australian-or-american-twist-with-rachel-allens-delicious-recipes/a2132557155.html

@independent.ie @tonygavinphotography.ie
#rarinaallen #irishexaminer #food #chef #cook #recipe #ballymaloecookeryschool6h

January 27, 2026

Chrissy Teigen’s Roasted Butternut Squash & Pomegranate with Garlicky Honey-Dijon Dressing

Serves 4 – 6

Ingredients, Squash

3 tablespoons olive oil

4 cups ½-inch cubes peeled butternut squash (1½ pounds; from a 2¼-pound whole squash, if that’s where you’re starting from)

1½ teaspoons kosher salt

½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

¼ to ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper, to taste

Ingredients, Dressing

2 tablespoons white wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar

1 tablespoon Dijon Mustard

1 tablespoon honey

1 clove garlic, grated or smashed into a paste

¼ teaspoon kosher salt

¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

3 tablespoons olive oil

Ingredients, Salad

5 cups baby arugula

½ cup pomegranate seeds* (see Tip)

¼ cup pumpkin seeds, lightly toasted

½ small red onion, thinly sliced

½ cup crumbled goat cheese (4 ounces)

Freshly ground black pepper

Method

Roast the squash. Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil and pour 2 tablespoons of the oil on the lined sheet. Place the oiled sheet in the oven (yep, nothing on it) and heat until very hot but not smoking, about 8 minutes.

In a large bowl, toss the squash with the remaining 1 tablespoon oil, the salt, pepper, and cayenne until coated. Using an oven mitt, remove the hot baking sheet from the oven and quickly pour the squash onto the sheet (you should hear some sizzling); take a few extra seconds to make sure the flat sides of the squash are hitting that hot oiled pan. Roast until the undersides are golden, about 15 minutes. Remove the squash from the oven, shake the pan (or flip the squash with tongs if you’re down with OCD, yeah you know me), return to the oven, and roast until the new underside is golden brown,10 to 15 minutes. Let cool to room temp or just warm (so it doesn’t murder the greens when you drop them on).

Make the dressing. In a screw-top jar, shake the vinegar, mustard, honey, garlic, salt, pepper, and oil until it’s creamy. (If it separates, just shake it again.)

Makes the salad. Arrange the arugula on a platter. Top with the roasted squash, pomegranate seeds, and pumpkin seeds. Scatter the onion and goat cheese on top. Drizzle with the dressing to taste and sprinkle with pepper.

*Or finely diced green apple if you can’t find pom seeds.

Tag: recipe