Cornmeal Crepes with Figs and Pears
This morning I made cornmeal and flour crepes with fresh figs, pears and a dollop of whipped cream. Sounds kind of fancy right, but really it’s not and this recipe ended up being very easy to put together. The recipe came from the September 2013 issue of Bon Appetite. I have had page 73 torn out since that date. They are “filed” by where they land in the box and left for a rainy day. Apparently this was the day……….
The hardest part of preparing this dish for me was turning the first crepe (see pic below) So for the next one I followed their prep school tip which was; "Once the edge of your crepe is golden and lacy and the center has set, gently loosen it with a spatula. Then, using your fingers pull up the crepe and swiftly pull over.” I used this method and the rest of the crepes turned out near perfect. But there was one more tip to add which was not anywhere in the instructions. The cornmeal easily sank to the bottom of the bowl in between cooking each crepe. I quickly learned that before pouring the batter into the skillet that I needed to re-stir each time so that the cornmeal was throughout the batter and not laying at the bottom of the bowl. Adding the cornmeal in the batter gave the crepes a little more texture than was I was used to but both my husband and I enjoyed the way they turned out.
My last concern was would this combination of fresh pears and figs taste good together as part of the topping. Would the delicate pear pair well with the fruity fig? Most fresh figs have been described to taste like a mix between a strawberry and a peach. I don’t know if that is how I would describe them but they worked together famously. After the first bite I knew this meal was a home run. This would make a wonderful breakfast, brunch or even an after dinner dessert.
Ingredients:
1 large egg
1/2 cup 2% milk
1/4 cup all purpose flour
1/4 cup cornmeal
2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon (divided) sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract (divided)
1/8 teaspoon salt
3/4 cups heavy cream (divided)
1 pear (cored, skinned at cut into slices)
4 fresh black mission figs (cut into half and then each half into 1/3rds)
2 tablespoon roasted pistachios (garnish)
To prepare:
Combine egg, milk, flour, cornmeal, sugar, vanilla, salt and 1/4 cup cream in a medium bowl, whisk until smooth.
Take the remaining 1/2 cup of whip cream, pour into a cool glass bowl (if possible put one in your freezer for about 1/2 hour. Add 1 teaspoon sugar and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla. Beat with a hand beater until soft peaks before. Set aside and put into refridgerator.
Heat a 10" skillet over medium heat. Add a small pat of butter, then 3/4 of a ladle of batter, swirl pan around until bottom of skillet is covered. Cook until edges are golden brown and batter is set, with a spatula lift up and then using your fingers, lift up and turn over, 30 another 30 seconds or so. On to the next one until batter is gone.
Serve crepes folded, topped with cream cream, pears and figs. Then garnish with pistachios. Enjoy!
I've made plenty of crepes, but never cornmeal ones. Like the idea, a lot. Love the combo of figs and pears, so this recipe is for me. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThanks John, we were surprised how much we loved the combo of pears and figs.
DeleteThese look delicious! Good enough to eat :-)
ReplyDeleteAmalia
xo
Thanks Amalia!! thanks for stopping by.
DeleteI recently discovered a love of figs. I thought I hated them, but I tried them again and I loved them. I am going to have to try this now.
ReplyDeleteThanks Dannii, I hope you enjoy this!
Deletethis seems super fancy to me, i've never even attempted to make crepes! plus, figs seem to automatically make a dish more elegant. so bravo to you, it's a magnificent dish!
ReplyDeleteThanks grace, it's a surprisingly easy dish to prepare.
DeleteCheri , this dish is for me , love pears and figs , my family will thank I worked for hours .Pinning thanks
ReplyDeleteThanks Nee, it is so easy to put together, you will be surprised.
DeleteHow fabulous is this, Cheri! Sounds very fancy and very interesting with the cornmeal crepes! I'd love to try that. Don't you love how it pays to hang on to these cut-out recipes...eventually, we often do get to them...glad you saved this one!
ReplyDeleteThanks Monica, it appears that many of us have a trove of recipes somewhere set aside for later I'm not the only one.
DeleteWhat an interesting combination for flavors in this dish. I've never seen cornmeal crepes which are also very intriguing!
ReplyDeleteThanks Amy, the cornmeal gave the crepes a different texture that I really enjoyed.
DeleteLove the sound of this! Your filing system sounds a bit like mine. In fact I think the only difference is that mine is in a drawer!
ReplyDeleteHa! it appears other's have similar systems as well. Maybe because we all love cooking so much.
DeleteI have never made cornmeal crepes..I have a big packet of cornmeal...ll have to make these...
ReplyDeleteHi Moumita, hope you enjoy them as much as we did.
DeleteThat looks delicious!
ReplyDeleteI have never made cornmeal crepes before... might have to add it to the list of things to try.
Thanks for sharing
Julie
Gourmet Getaways
Thanks Julie, I think that you would really enjoy these.
DeleteI love crepes but I've never made them with cornmeal. I do love the pairing of pairs and figs and the pistachios are a lovely garnish xx
ReplyDeleteThanks Charlie, every time I make crepes I always think to myself, why don't I do this more often.
DeleteWow! These crepes look so dreamt, Cheri! Figs and pears combo sounds super delsih and YUM! Lovely share! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Anu, we really enjoyed these.
DeleteGreat job, Cheri! Your dish looks wonderful...love figs and pears. (I always screw up the first couple crepes!) Cornmeal in cakes, cookies, any kind of baking was something I rarely used until my daughter gave me Zoe Nathan's cookbook Huckleberry. She uses cornmeal in everything.
ReplyDeleteHi Barbara, will have to check out that cookbook. Thanks!
DeleteWhat a delicious combination that I would never have thought of!
ReplyDeleteThanks Chris, I was a little concerned but they work together perfectly.
DeleteCheri: Thank you for this. The tastes and textures of this dish look remarkable. I can taste every bite via you description. And you were kind to show us the failed crepe. It seems like the first one always is a challenge. Still, want a wonderful dish. D
ReplyDeleteThanks Dena, I hear you, though it does seem like I have trouble every time with the first or second one. Sigh!
DeletePears and figs are my favourite autumn fruits. A very delicious combination, Cheri.
ReplyDeleteThanks Angie, they are a great combination.
DeleteThis sounds very fancy and very delicious yet possibly not that hard. Yum! Have a great weekend.
ReplyDeleteThanks Mindy, you too have a great week-end!
DeleteDelicious! I have never made a crepe with cornmeal. I bet it has a really interesting texture. Wishing you a super weekend!
ReplyDeleteThanks Bam, the texture is different but very nice. Happy week-end to you too!
DeleteThanks Bam, the texture is different but very nice. Happy week-end to you too!
DeleteTurning crepes and pancakes is always something I struggle with too! Ill have to try these with cornmeal and IVe never tried it. Absolutley loving figs right now also - one of my absolute favourite fruits!
ReplyDeletetheglowwithin.com
Thanks Lucie, hope you have a chance to try this, I think you will like it. Maybe make a cashew cream instead of the regular whip. Take care!
DeleteYou are blowing me away with your beautiful dishes, Cheri. I'm all about different textures with my meals so I know I'd love this. Turning eggs and crepes is a nightmare for me! lol
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend :)
Thanks Robyn, I love the different textures as well, the figs and pears worked so well together, I was a little surprised.
Deletewell I think these look fabulous. I noticed Whole Foods had fresh figs, always looking for something to do with those sweeties!
ReplyDeleteHi Lea Ann, the figs have been so good this year, I made a fig spread too.
DeleteI never would have thought of this combination but I love the idea, Cheri! What a fabulous way to use figs and the pistachios on top sounds wonderful!
ReplyDeleteThanks Susan, I was not sure how fig and pears would taste but I really loved the flavor.
DeleteThese look delicious - and thanks for the tips in the crêpe-making department! I would never have thought to use cornmeal in crêpes - I think I need to give them a try!
ReplyDeleteThanks David, the cornmeal gives them a little more texture, we enjoyed them.
DeleteYour crepes do indeed sound and look fancy, Cheri. Very much appreciate the tips and permission to use my fingers ;) Your post does inspire me to have a go at the gourmet crepe!
ReplyDeleteThanks Kim!
DeleteVery interesting crepe Cheri. I have never made a crepe, but you have inspired me to try. Love the addition of the pears and figs. Happy Sunday.
ReplyDeleteHi Linda, in a way there are kind of like a pancake, most of the time the first one does not turn out properly. Take care!
DeleteWith crepes, the first one is always the worst! Then you fall into a groove after that. I would love to be eating this for brunch!
ReplyDeleteHi Joanne, these would make perfect brunch food.
DeleteCheri love these crepes look wonderful !!!
ReplyDeleteLovely for breakfast or any time :)
wow! Looks amazing! Love the combination of flavors!
ReplyDeleteThanks Marcela!
DeleteUsing cornmeal in crepes is so so clever, I need to try this asap!
ReplyDeleteThanks Mike!
DeleteI've never tried cornmeal crepes but they sound and look wonderful. I messed up way more than one the first time I made them :) Bravo!
ReplyDeleteHi Tricia, sometimes so do I, these were fun.
DeleteWhat a great idea, using cornmeal in crepes–sounds so good!
ReplyDeleteThanks Nancy!
DeleteThese crepes sound so delicious and unique! And I'm the same way with magazines, I'll rip out a page and put it somewhere only to come back years later to make it lol :)
ReplyDeleteHi Phi, your filing system sounds like mine. Thanks!
DeleteThis looks like a very elegant dessert! It is really pretty. I appreciate so much the tips for making crepes. I have been wanting to attempt making them, but was concerned that I wouldn't be able to flip them very well. The combination of these flavors sounds delicious for a crepe. Thanks, Cheri!
ReplyDeleteHi Shari, they are kind of like pancakes the first couple never turn out right.
Delete