Thursday, February 25, 2016

Popovers Postscript



First, let me pour you a steaming cup o' tea. And then you can read my quick follow up on the Popovers we made last Saturday -- since some of you were wondering how they turned out. You will recall this was my very first attempt; I didn't even know what popovers were until I did some online research.


In one word, the popovers were #YUMMY!


Turns out, rather than baking the popovers at our house as first planned, we took the prepared batter to our friends' home for our spontaneous Afternoon Tea Party. We didn't want the popovers getting cold and falling in the middle like a broken souffle.

With the oven already pre-heated to 425F when we arrived, it only took a moment to have the muffin pans greased and batter poured in. While they baked, we put our hands to slicing ripe pears, filling the glass bowl with Saskatoon jam, and grating a bit of cheddar cheese we just knew would m-e-l-t wonderfully into the anticipated warm, hollow middle.


Note: We used muffins pans as neither of us own popover baking pans, which I understand are narrower and taller, and give the finished popover a fluffier, airier lift. People who use the real thing seem to swear by them -- they say you cannot experience a real popover in all its true fluffy lightness using muffin tins. No doubt they are right.

Although our popovers look a little flat, more like muffins in shape, they did not taste or look like muffins on the inside. For, when we broke them open there was that soft, hollow inside just waiting for slathers of butter and jam -- and they tasted somewhat like a dutch skillet pancake (which I love).




We all numm-nummed our way through the whole batch, and I cannot image why I didn't double the recipe ... for, even though they weren't baked in the 'proper' popover pans, we were definitely wishing for more. And, we might have to ask the Birthday Fairy for some real popover bakeware for next time.


 

People have since asked me how to eat these little puffy delights. I'm offering some of the suggestions fellow bloggers have shared with me as well as what I found online:

You can eat popovers at breakfast or afternoon tea, Sunday brunch, with soups and chowders, or with Christmas or roast beef dinner. You can serve them with:

- butter and jam -- see one fellow thoroughly enjoying his buttery popover here;
- lemon curd, creme filling, maple syrup, cranberry sauce, or golden syrup;
- cinnamon and sugar dusted over them -- recipe here;
- with soups or chowders instead of bread or buns;
- roast beef or turkey, with gravy, in place of the traditional Yorkshire Pudding.

In case you are also wondering, from the list of three I shared in my earlier post, I finally chose the recipe from Growing Up Julia. She provides optional ingredients -- we did not include them this time.

Popovers are so simple, easy, and quick. And don't forget, yummy! Four great reasons to have a popover recipe to your collection.

 


Julia Child:
"It's fun to get together and have something good to eat at least once a day."


If you feel the urge to make popovers this weekend, spread the joy
and invite someone to share this yummy pleasure with you.


Wishing you a pleasant day and a beautiful weekend ahead.

Hugs,
Brenda
xox








20 comments:

  1. Any recipe of Julia's is sure to be good. They do look yummy!

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  2. We make mini Yorkshire puddings in little muffin or cupcake tins, they might not be quite the same as in a Yorkshire pudding tin, but are still very good and just have more lovely crunchy and fluffy bits, so don't worry about the tin, just enjoy eating them! xx

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  3. I think half the fun of baking with friends is improvising. Your popovers look really fluffy inside, and I'll take your word for it that they were as yummy as they look! I've never made these before either, as tea biscuits were the staple for biscuit for my family. I still make tea biscuits regularly. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the popovers Brenda, and have a great weekend :)
    Wendy

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  4. LOVE your opening photo of the teacup with you blog name on it! I have never made popovers either but dearly love all the stuff you eat them with or put on them so I will have to give it a whirl!

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  5. I've never heard of popovers until now and already I know that I need one (or more than one) :-)
    Amalia
    xo

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  6. They look yummy, and what fun to have a popover impromptu tea party.

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  7. From what I understand further about the difference between Yorkshire pudding and popovers is that the former uses the meat drippings as the grease and the popovers use butter. Otherwise it seems the recipes everywhere are similar. Everyone has their own theories about how to bake and at what temperatures. So, I think the best thing is to sort it out to your own liking, and then enjoy!

    Thanks to my dear beautiful friends for leaving comments and sharing your ideas with me. You always make my day sweeter!

    Hugs to you all,
    Brenda
    xox

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  8. Brenda: So enjoyed reading about the popovers and it brought back many memories. My Mom and my Grandmother used to make them. I remember thinking they were a grand treat. My mom would serve them with butter and honey and my grandmother would put out her blackberry jam when she made them. Just wonderful however they are served. Thanks so much for reminding me of popovers!

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  9. What a delightful idea to make and share the popover experience with some fortunate friends! Such a treat!! Now I am inspired to do the same, although this weekend is absolutely too full (with good things) to leave room for such inspiration. Soon...

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  10. Now my tummy is growling, Brenda, just thinking of a warm popover slathered with butter and jam! Aren't you nice for sharing with friends....I must bake some of these soon! Hugs xo Karen

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  11. I've never had popovers before, but hope to try them one day. Thanks for sharing these yummy images, Brenda!

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  12. Your pictures are beautiful and make my mouth water.
    How fun to go over to your friend's home and share in the preparation, baking, and eating!

    “There is nothing more beautiful than someone who goes out of their way to make life beautiful for others.”
    ― Mandy Hale

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  13. So happy to hear these turned out so well. I do think you should get popover pans if this is to become a regular feature on your tea table. I'm looking forward to making some soon!

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  14. Mmmm. Your popover options has me hankering for some slathered with butter and dripping with pure Alberta honey! We buy it in gallon pails when we're out visiting family, and it's oh, so delicious! Glad the popovers turned out - they look scrumptious.

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  15. I think I need a special pan because I would love to make some! I can't eat dessert but I can eat some bread with jam that is all fruit. This would be like dessert to me! Hugs, Diane

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  16. I'll never forget the first time I met a popover, when I was a little girl going to brunch with my grandma at her friend's house in the hills east of San Francisco Bay. They made a huge and favorable impression on me, so that when I had a house of my own I very soon got in the habit of making them myself. It's like magic to make something so special from simple ingredients and a straightforward method. Hmm...maybe today!

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  17. Hello Brenda,
    I have made popovers and they are very much like my Yorkshire pudding. Like you said, Yorkshires are made with the drippings from your roast but both of these delights are delicious. Yours look fantastic! Thanks for sharing and enjoy your day.

    Blessings,
    Sandi

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    Replies
    1. By the way, I always use a muffin tin and they always turn out wonderfully.

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  18. This is great. Thanks for sharing. I recently bought pop over pans, so this is perfect timing.

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To My Beautiful Readers,

Some people come into our lives, leave footprints on our hearts, and we are never the same. ~ Franz Peter Schubert

Thank you so much for leaving your 'footprint' here in my comment box. I do appreciate you taking a moment to share your thoughts today.

Brenda xo