Eggs and toast tend to be my breakfast of choice.
Most people think of crumpets as slightly sweet, best paired with butter and jam.
Lets make savory crumpets.
What is a crumpet?
Most folks in America are familiar with English muffin.
Thomas made sure of that, and were all better for it.
However, the muffin has an underdog cousinthe crumpet.
Round and puffed much like the English muffin, upon first glance you might mistake it for one.
The differences are few but noticeable.
How to make crumpets
1.
The batter is similar to pancake batter in thickness but even easier to prepare.
Let it proof and butter the rings
Cover the batter and let it sit in a warm place.
I tend to use my microwave with the light turned on as aproofing box.
While its proofing for 20 minutes, butter somemetal rings.
I know, what if you dont have metal rings?
If you dont have rings like this, you could use the sleeve part of mason jar lids.
Cook the crumpets
Heat up a skillet with a small amount of butter in the center.
(If youre using a jar lid ring, start with the lip side facing down.)
The batter will begin to cook and form holes around the edges near the metal.
Flip the crumpet and cook for another minute.
The following recipe is made with thyme, but you could substitute any finely minced herb that you enjoy.
Or just leave it out completely and have a plain crumpet to give yourself some options later.
Crumpets keep in the fridge, covered, for up to five days before they start drying out.
If you have leftovers, I suggest freezing them.
They can keep frozen, well-wrapped, for up to two months.
Let the yeast bloom for a minute or two and stir.
To the bowl, add, in order, the flour, salt, sugar, and baking powder.
Whisk this mixture for two or three minutes straight, to build gluten strength.
Add the thyme and gently mix in, until combined.
Cover the bowl and let rest in a warm place for 20-30 minutes.
Meanwhile prepare the metal rings.
Butter two 3-inch metal rings.
Its better to slather them rather than be stingy with the butter here.
When the batter has many bubbles over the top, put a non-stick skillet over medium heat.
Add a pea-sized amount of butter to coat the bottom and place one metal ring on the skillet.
Add about a 14 cup of the thyme crumpet batter to the ring.
It will bubble and brown along the sidesyou can take the ring off now.
Enjoy fresh with a soft boiled egg and avocado or slathered in salty butter.
To revive, put them in a toaster for a few minutes.
