Come tell me I’m an awful mum

[PancakeDisaster]

Pancake day obviously

I always dread it. I’m a fairly ok cook but there are two things I can’t do, fry anything or mash anything. I burn fried stuff or undercook it and I can never get none lumpy mash.

I had ago at making pancakes for DD and I.

Whatever I did it didn’t work as it came out lumpy and uncooked in the middle.

DD (aged 7) is now crying saying all her friends at school will be having pancakes and it’s not fair – she’s right, from FB I can see at least 20 of the 26 in her class have had pancakes today. She’s stomped off to her room after telling me she hates me.

Just me and her at home so no-one else to have another attempt. I’ve used all my milk, flour and eggs trying to make them, I had several attempts.

Why am I so useless? Tell me I’m an awful mother and she’s never going to forgive me.

DD doesn't like the ready made pancakes (finds them salty) and last year I had one of those ready made batters and it still went wrong!

Yr daughter is being ridiculous as only a 7 yr old can be🤓
Tell her she can just say my mum is rubbish at pancakes, to any friends.
Pancakes are not a sign of good or bad motherhood. Don’t feel bad be glad your not a stereotype!🤣

Did you look on YouTube to see how others do it? Step by step instructions. You can't be that bad...or can you? 🙄

Practice makes perfect

I make pancake's about once a year. Im really crap. The first two were awful but then they get better but ill have Forgotten again by next year

Get a small and new pan? No good using a crappy old pan or one that's too big

Pancakes are overrated anyway

@TheProvincialLady

Your daughter has behaved really badly. Saying “I hate you” for some failed pancakes is just horrible. I wouldn’t bother trying to make any more this year if that’s her attitude.

This

Don't use oil at all.
Use a really good non-stick pan. Melt a couple of dessert spoons of butter and add to the pancake batter, stirring very well. This stops it from sticking when you're cooking them.

The pan needs to be hot but not red hot. Put your batter in a jug and when the pan is ready pour some batter into the pan, taking it off the heat and swirling it about to make sure the bottom of the pan is evenly coated with the batter. If you've poured too much pour the excess back into the jug.

Let the pancake cook, you will see bubbles forming on the surface, use a spatchula to turn the pancake over, once cooked both sides slide onto a plate and eat or keep warm in the oven till you've cooked them all.

Main mistakes are: too much batter; too hot pan; not using a heavy based non stick pan.

I make pancakes very regularly

My pancakes were as you described but me and DS (7) ate them anyway. My concern is that your DD threw a tantrum and told she she hates you. Over pancakes.
If that was my DS, I'd be more concerned about that rather than the fact I'd apparently let him down over the pancakes not being cooked properly. At least you tried, but she clearly doesn't appreciate that

Sorry, just read your updates. I'm glad she apologised

Tip for none lumpy mash, use an electric whisk-game changer… also I bought a crepe maker - fab to use www.aldi.co.uk/ambiano-crepe-maker/p/717774562712900?gclid=CjwKCAiAyPyQBhB6EiwAFUuakkM26CB0t493-HOQyJYn9wXg5Z8ndryk6xQqeI9Mid6FFPhMQG9noRoC8CUQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

You're a terrible mum lol but I'm worse cause I forgot that it even was pancake day so DS didn't even get a failed attempt x

Have you tried watching a YouTube tutorial whilst making the recipe? You can get cheap electric hand whisks in Wilko too x

I think if that's all your daughter has to cry about then you're doing a fine job. Don't be so hard on yourself ❤️

Whizz it all up in a blender if you have one, for a super smooth mix.

If all DD can complain about when she's older is not having had pancakes on the right day then you're doing a pretty splendid job 😎

I do vegan pancakes using this recipe and oat milk: www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/easy-vegan-pancakes

Fry it in coconut oil, it's absolutely banging.

I have a flat panini press and I make mine on there. 1 cup four (250ml), 1 and a half cups milk and 2 eggs, optional pinch of salt and 1 tablespoon of oil (veg or sunflower) good whisk in a jug and I literally pour the batter from the jug on to the panini press plate move it around by picking the press up by its handle and tipping it and making sure the mix goes to all corners. Wait until it evaporates the moisture from the top then I put the lid down for about 30-45 seconds depending on thickness. They never stick, are huge so one is enough and always perfect. Before this I was another “can’t fry them in a pan for toffee” person 😆 Obvs no good if you don’t have a flat press or hot plate, but perfect and very little mess if you do.

You are absolutely not an awful mother. I can't make pancakes either and was really relieved when I saw toddler had them at preschool and I wouldn't have to worry.

The BBC American pancakes recipe is the best. Literally can't f* it up.

Well done for trying, sorry it didn't go well.

Sounds like you maybe put too much batter in? You only need about half a ladle full each time and then quickly tip it around the pan to spread it out.

Your daughter is being a bit unreasonable, you tried your best!

Buy the pre made ones. They are fine.

I feel your pain. I’m ok at pancakes, but cannot make decent Yorkshire pudding! I’ve read the theory, tried different recipes, bought the right equipment all doomed to failure and I’m a good cook! My late MILs yorkshires were to die for!

I’m sure you are a super mum and I’m sure your daughter loves you very much. Why not get her to try making some? At seven with supervision obviously, she might enjoy it and will learn that sometimes things are not as easy as they seem.

Y'all just need on of these:

[[https://www.robertdyas.co.uk/tefal-simplicity-b5821002-25cm-pancake-pan?gclid=CjwKCAiAyPyQBhB6EiwAFUuakr7n7_qbnNJsaALx6RCCrGYE8oZEB-WpUtYv_c_h8zhv7hVRP0BB5hoCZxQQAvD_BwE pancake pan]

• heat oil until you can see it smoking slightly
• pour off excess oil
• pour in batter and tip round pan to cover pan fully
• when cooked, either toss or flip with a wide spatula

Oops, link: pancake pan

It took me until I was in my 40s to get pancakes Scotch ones right I still can't do crepes

For mash, make sure you are using floury potatoes eg Maris piper, not waxy potatoes such as baking potatoes, and boil/steam for 15 minutes. Drain, add a knob of butter and mash, then add milk and mash some more. Be careful not to over-mash.

Ooo this pan's a bargain £7.99

You need drop scones (aka Scotch pancakes)! They are the easiest of all and children love them. 2 eggs, 100g flour, about 150-200 ml milk, a pinch of salt and a spoonful of golden syrup. Put all ingredients in a bowl, beat hell out of them with a hand blender. Put to one side for 10 minutes. Heat frying pan thoroughly over a medium flame (or electric equivalent), brush pan with a little oil and then drop in 4 splodges of batter, smallish ones. Watch carefully, you will see the tops sort of dry out a bit and a few small bubbles form. Turn with a spatula, cook a little longer. Slide onto plate and cover with a tea towel. Repeat, repeat, repeat. They will get better and better as you get more familiar with the method. Serve with butter and more golden syrup, butter and jam, whipped cream, nutella, whatever you fancy. Because they are small they are easy to turn over and a great size for children. Have a practice before next pancake day, you can make them any size you want. Once you have mastered these -which you can & will - you can thin the mixture with more milk and make 'normal' pancakes using the same cooking method.

I’m a terrible cook too! I find the thicker American pancakes easier to cook than the thinner crepe style. That batter is thicker, so you cook until the batter starts to form bubbles and then flip and cook for a minute or two more.