#crepes

#crepes

Every year on February 2nd, France celebrates La Chandeleur, also known as Candlemas Day or Crêpe Day. This centuries-old tradition was once linked to candlelight processions and good fortune rituals, but today it is mostly about something far more delicious: making and eating crêpes with family and friends. A famous French custom says that you should flip a crêpe with your right hand while holding a coin in your left-if you succeed, prosperity will come your way in the year ahead.

This easy crepes recipe from French chef Ludo Lefebvre yields delicate, thin pancakes perfect for both sweet and savory fillings-from powdered sugar and berries to ham and cheese. With just a few pantry staples and simple technique, homemade crepes are surprisingly quick to master. It may take a few tries to swirl the batter into a paper-thin layer, but the results are worth it. Once you get the hang of batter consistency and pan heat, you'll be flipping perfect crepes in minutes.

I wouldn't say I had a particularly English upbringing, but there were two things my mum held on to fiercely when it came to her children celebrating cultural holidays. Of the utmost importance was Christmas, of course, but Pancake Day came a close second. I'm not really sure why this day mattered so much, but I have a sneaking suspicion it's to do with eating pancakes for dinner, lovingly doused in lemon and sugar.

There are so many legends about famous dishes that were invented by accident. Ruth Wakefield thought she'd create a chocolate cookie by breaking up bits of a chocolate bar and folding them into her dough, but invented the chocolate chip cookie instead. Chocolate truffles may have been a happy accident, and butter likely came about by mistake as well. Basically, all the best foods are ones we wouldn't have without some clumsy person stumbling around a kitchen,

If chocolate is your favourite food and dessert is the best part of a meal, then you need to get down to Cocomelt. The Soho chocolate cafe - it's the one with flowing chocolate fountains in the window - is one of the city's best dessert spots, where the dishes are fresh, made-to-order and drizzled in premium Belgian milk, white and dark chocolate. The menu features a range of crepes, waffles, pancakes, chocolate-dipped strawberries and fruit sticks, plus a create-your-own option.

Rushing the process is one of the biggest mistakes you can make when whipping up a crepe cake. Let your batter rest for optimal texture.