German Apple Pancake

***APPLE TOPPING***
1 1/2 teaspoons butter
1 1/2 teaspoons canola or vegetable oil
4 granny smith apples -- peeled, cored and sliced
3 tablespoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 cup apple cider
***PANCAKE**********
3 large eggs
1/4 cup flour
2 teaspoons sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup milk
confectioners' sugar -- for dusting

TO MAKE TOPPING: 1. In a large nonstick skillet, heat butter and oil over medium heat until melted. Add apples and sugar; cook, stirring, until apples are tender and golden, about 20 minutes. Stir in vanilla and cinnamon. 2. Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan, bring apple cider to a boil over medium-high heat. Cook until reduced to 1/3 cup, 10 to 15 minutes. Stir into sautéed apples. Set aside. (The topping will keep, covered, in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat before serving.)

TO MAKE PANCAKE: 1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Lightly oil a 12-inch cast-iron or other ovenproof skillet or coat it with nonstick spray. 2. In a mixing bowl, whisk eggs, flour, sugar and salt until smooth. Gradually add milk, whisking until smooth. 3. Pour batter into prepared skillet and bake for 15 minutes. 4. Reduce oven temperature to 350°; bake for 15 minutes more, or until pancake is golden and puffed. (Pancake will deflate when removed from oven.) 5. Dust pancake with confectioners' sugar and cut into wedges. Serve immediately, with warm apple topping.

MAKES 4 SERVINGS.




Oven Pancake


1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup milk
2 eggs, lightly beaten
pinch of nutmeg
4 Tablespoons butter
2 Tablespoons confectioners sugar
juice of half a lemon


Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Combine the flour, milk, eggs and nutmeg. Beat lightly, leaving the batter a little lumpy. melt butter in a 12 inch skillet with a heatproof handle. When very ot, pour in the batter and bake 15-20 minutes or until the pancake is golden brown. Remove from oven and sprinkle with confectioners sugar and lemon juice. Serve with jelly, jam or marmalAde. Serves three.



Swedish Oven Pancakes

4 eggs
1 tsp salt
1 qt milk
2 cups flour

Melt 1 stick of butter in a 9"x13" pan. Beat eggs and salt together. Add milk and flour. Pour mixture into hot pan and bake 30-45 minutes at 425°.

Serve with frozen strawberries, blueberries, whipped cream and your choice of syrup.