Are Dutch pancakes really the best?

DW (English)

Sweet or savory, morning or evening: In the Netherlands, pancakes are served around the clock - in every variation imaginable- even as a main course!

Transcript

00:01Are these the world's best pancakes?

00:04Dutch pannenkoeken can be made sweet or savory.

00:08Either way, it's a full meal.

00:11Pannenkoeken are thinner than American pancakes,

00:14but thicker than French crepes.

00:18Pannenkoeken bring back childhood memories for the Dutch.

00:25Your mom wakes up early, makes the batter,

00:27makes the pancake for you, and you wake up,

00:29and then a stack of pancakes is ready for you.

00:32Just the perfect childhood.

00:34The Dutch have been dining on Pannenkoeken for centuries,

00:37as evidenced by several historical paintings.

00:41Pancakes can be found in every part of the country

00:44and, of course, in the capital, Amsterdam.

00:46The restaurant upstairs Pancake House

00:49only has four tables, so you have to reserve.

00:54They've been frying pancakes here for 60 years now.

00:57Patrons come from the world over.

01:02Usually I'm not a thin pancake person,

01:04because certain places do make them different back home,

01:07but these are really good.

01:09I had a bacon pancake, and it was very delicious

01:11because it's a little bit salty but sweet too.

01:13We usually have them, like, a bit more fluffy in Australia,

01:16but they're really, really good.

01:20Chef Toto Jansen has been frying Pannenkoeken here since 2012.

01:24The dough recipe is easy, or at least it looks easy.

01:28You just need patisserie flour, pastry flour, and whole fat milk, some eggs.

01:35That's the most important thing.

01:37And, of course, we do something else, but that's a secret.

01:40Before he starts frying, Toto has to put together the ingredients for the toppings.

01:45Some of the items on his shopping list aren't typically associated with pancakes.

01:50From his trusty organic butcher, he picks up some bacon and ham.

01:54Yes, it's more expensive, but we care a lot about animal welfare,

02:03and so that's why we go here.

02:05We know that animals have a happy life.

02:08Also the pigs, they are being raised by monks in the south of the Netherlands,

02:12so that's very important to us.

02:15Pannenkoeken are similar but not identical to Poffertjes,

02:19which are fried in a special pan,

02:21known logically as a Poffertjes pan,

02:24and served up with gobs of butter,

02:29and a sprinkling of powdered sugar on top.

02:34Poffertjes are basically like Dutch mini pancakes,

02:36so they are smaller,

02:37and you get like ten in one serving,

02:40and it's more fluffy.

02:43Toto fries his dough in an oiled pan.

02:46Once the top appears dry, he flips them.

02:51But how does he keep the pancakes from sticking to the pan,

02:55and make sure they turn out nice and golden brown?

03:02Well, there is a Dutch myth that the first pancake always fails,

03:07but the secret is just to have the pan hot enough,

03:10like very hot, and then you can pour the batter in.

03:13I always play a little bit with the fire.

03:16I always keep very close attention to the fire.

03:19A Pannenkoeken can be topped with many things.

03:24Upstairs Pannenkoeken heist offers around 50 possibilities.

03:28This is the bacon we got from our butcher.

03:33So I will make you my favorite pancakes,

03:37the bacon, brie, and honey.

03:40Sweet or salty, morning, noon, or night,

03:43Pannenkoeken are a versatile kitchen classic

03:45that every visitor to the Netherlands should try.

03:48Are you a pancake fan?

03:50And how do you make them?

03:51How do you make your pancakes,

03:53how do you make them?

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