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Staffordshire Oatcakes

Introduction & method

Staffordshire oatcakes are hugely popular in the Potteries area of North Staffs. They are basically pancakes of oatmeal and flour, leavened with yeast, and they are delicious stuffed with bacon and melted cheese.

 Staffordshire Oatcakes Recipe

Prep


Mix the flours and the oatmeal together in a large bowl. Heat the milk and water in a microwave to blood temperarue - 37°C (98.6°F). Add the salt and yeast, make a well in the centre and stir in the liquid.

Wait


Cover with a clean tea-towel, and leave in a warm place to ferment for 1-2 hours. After fermenting, the batter will be frothy and bubbly. The fermentation creates the characteristic holes in the oatcake. I had to leave mine to ferment overnight. Whatever it takes, don't attempt to cook the oatcakes unless your batter is bubbly.

Cook


Heat some fat on a griddle plate or in a heavy-bottomed medium-sized frying pan. When it is hot, add 2-3 tablespoons of batter. Swirl the pan round so the batter forms a disc about 20cm (8 inches) diameter and as thin as you can get it. Use the back of a tablespoon to spread it more if the oatcake looks too thick. Cook for 2-3 minutes each side.

Sprinkle grated cheese on one half of the oatcakes and place under a hot grill (broiler) to melt the cheese. Then add cooked bacon and any other fillings you like, and roll up the oatcakes. Alternatively, if you fancy something sweet, oatcakes are great with butter and jam.


The video above is from the Keef Cooks YouTube channel. Click here to see the video recipe of Staffordshire Oatcakes on YouTube.

 
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Ingredients & Info


BATTER
 225 grams oatmeal
 100 grams plain white flour
 100 grams wholemeal flour
 1 tsp salt
 1 tsp active dried yeast
 400 ml milk
 400 ml warm water

PLUS

Dripping, lard, oil or butter for frying. If you can't get oatmeal, use porridge oats and whizz them in a blender or food processor to chop them smaller.


UNITS:
Metric
US Customary/Imperial

Makes 8 -10 oatcakes
Prep time: 5 minutes.
Fermenting time: 1 hour.
Cooking time: 6 minutes each.
Total time: 1 hour 11 minutes.