Mirrors for life. And Crepes with Caramelised Oranges and Spiced Orange Syrup.

16|04|2013

“There were once two sisters
who were not afraid of the dark
because the dark was full of the other’s voice
across the room
because even when the night was thick
and starless
they walked home together from the river
seeing who could last the longest
without turning on her flashlight,
not afraid
because sometimes in the pitch of the night
they’d lie on their backs
in the middle of the path
and look up until the stars came back
and when they did,
they’d reach their arms to touch them
and they did.”
-The Sky Is Everywhere

April is a month when I run high on emotions. Two birthdays that are very special to me. Today is my Sister’s birthday and I long to be with her…talk away into the night…giggle ourselves to tears..till someone in the family exclaims aloud ‘but what are you laughing at?’ Just thinking about the annoyed-puzzled expression of my Dad makes me smile.

A Sister is a world of fun. She is the hand that will catch you every time you fall…the nose that can sniff whatever you have been up to, the eyes that are always lusting after your clothes (size never matters)..the ears that can pick up all the words you don’t say…your defender, your significant other in crime, your secret keeper…and in my case, the stern doctor. ‘So the name is Sugar et al…when did you go for your last health checkup?’

My sister loves Crepes. I have never understood why..I mean its the same ingredients (eggs, flour, butter, sugar) that can translate into something more fancy..like a cake or pudding. But she would always insist on Crepes. The last time I saw her (close to a year), she convinced me to make them right before she departed to catch her flight. And she kept running around the house with a plate of crepes, stuffing them into her mouth as she filled up her suitcases with last minute items.

This is a no alcohol version of the Crepe Suzette. Had T been here, I would have loved to add a tumbler of Cointreau into it but at present the audience are 3 year olds who could definitely do without it. I have also added a twist by including spices in the syrup.

Happy Birthday Dear Sister! You are the knowledge I carry that I can never be alone, my ‘voice in the dark’. In you, I see my childhood…the ‘stars’ I reached for and the ones I will reach for..and my retirement (when we will discuss grandchildren)…

You are my Mirror for Life!

Crepes with Caramelised Oranges and Spiced Orange Syrup

Serves 5

For the Crepes

1 cup plain flour

11/2 cups milk

2 eggs

2 tbsp butter, melted

For the Syrup

1/4 cup sugar (or as per sweetness, reduce the quantity)

1 cup freshly squeezed orange juice

1 tsp grated orange zest

1 tsp powdered ginger

3-4 star anise

2 sticks cinnamon

2 tbsp orange liquor (optional)

For the Caramelised Oranges

2 Navel Oranges peeled and sliced into circles

3-4 tsp castor sugar

Whipped cream to serve

Chopped Toasted Pistachios to serve(optional)

Sift the flour into a bowl and make a well in the centre. Whisk the eggs and milk together in a separate bowl. Add the egg-milk mixture and the melted butter into the flour and whisk together. Let stand for 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, make the syrup by adding all the ingredients into a saucepan. Heat over medium heat till the sugar dissolves and the mixture is reduced to a thick consistency(10-12 mins). Keep warm.

Make the crepes. Heat a non stick frying pan over medium-high heat. Add 1/4 cup batter and swirl the pan to evenly spread out the batter. Cook till the edges start to turn brown (longer if you want them crispy). Turn over the other side and cook for another 30 seconds till golden. Transfer to a plate. Repeat with the remaining batter.

Sprinkle sugar over the orange circles. Caramelise with a blow torch. (Alternatively, if a blow torch is not available heat 1/2 tsp butter and 2 tsp sugar in a pan. When the sugar starts to caramelise, add the oranges and cook for 30 secs till brown..turn over and cook the other side. Remove from heat and keep aside.

To serve: Fold the crepes into triangles and place 2-3 on a plate. Pour the warm spiced orange syrup over the crepes. Add a dollop of whipped cream and garnish with chopped pistachios.

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Comments

Dhanish says

16/04/2013 at 4:07 am

Convey my birthday wishes to your darling Sister, May god bless her. I was so touched reading “You are my Mirror for Life” Love to both.
- Sugar et al says
  
  17/04/2013 at 11:09 am
  
  Thank you so much Dhanish…love to you too:-)
Dhanish says

16/04/2013 at 4:09 am

Caramelised oranges are looks really stunning!
Loved the recipe. Must try soon. 🙂
Nilu A says

16/04/2013 at 6:12 am

May happy returns of the day to your sister Sonali… I am extremely nostalgic reading this post.. I have three sisters and we do share a special bond. We get to meet only once in a year as they stay abroad and everybody coming down at the same time is very difficult… May your love for each other be always the same (Nazar na lage!) The caramelised oranges are so eye-catching! Loved this recipe dear 🙂
- Sugar et al says
  
  17/04/2013 at 11:11 am
  
  Thanks a lot Nilu. Having a sibling is so special:-)
Pavithra R says

16/04/2013 at 9:14 am

Hey Sonali, loved your nostalgic description about your sister and childhood!! Also crepes are essentially an awesome invention in itself. Light, subtle – yet creamy delicious, add in some sauce or cream and it melts in mouth.
Your’s look perfect and agree with the rest on caramelized oranges, also loved the aniseed and cinnamon sticking out – It is a visual treat 🙂
- Sugar et al says
  
  17/04/2013 at 11:14 am
  
  Thank you Pavithra! Yes crepes are so versatile. And caramelised oranges…well I have a version of ‘everything’ caramelised…the blow torch is my favourite tool:-)
techie2mom says

16/04/2013 at 10:05 am

Awww…That was sooooo sweet Sonali…May you sis have very long and a very happy life!!! And it was sooooo sweet of you to make her favorite food on her birthday (well, on the 2nd thoughts – did you do it to tease her?! Just asking 😉 )
But seriously this is such a mushy post, loved it 🙂
Your recipe of Crepes sounds really good, and i want to try the candied oranges…hope to do it soon…
- Sugar et al says
  
  17/04/2013 at 11:18 am
  
  I know…too mushy when I read it now post the emotional hangover. I would love to tease her but I can imagine her reading the post teary eyed. Thank you for the lovely note:-)
Carol Z says

16/04/2013 at 10:55 am

What a lovely post and what a great photo! I like crepes, too. They always seem so special. There is a little French restaurant near my office that specializes in crepes and it’s like a party when we go there. Happy birthday to your sister.
- Sugar et al says
  
  17/04/2013 at 11:20 am
  
  Thank you Carol…very sweet of you:-) Crepes are simple to make but can turn into a fancy dish…there is so much that one can do with them.
Gloria Baker says

16/04/2013 at 12:07 pm

Sonali happy birthday to your sister this is a lovely post! and I love crepes too! and these look delicious!:)
- Sugar et al says
  
  17/04/2013 at 11:21 am
  
  Thank you so much Gloria:-)
Gloria @ Simply Gloria says

16/04/2013 at 3:45 pm

Gorgeous, Sonali! These almost look too gorgeous to eat! I, in fact made my sister some crepes last week…it’s her favorite treat from me that she thinks is super special! Sisters are very special!
- Sugar et al says
  
  17/04/2013 at 11:24 am
  
  Sisters are special indeed! And anything to make them feel special. Thank you Gloria:-)
Deepti says

16/04/2013 at 5:51 pm

Happy belated birthday to your sister! Lovely crepes… In fact I just had crepes with different filling yesterday for breakfast.. love it anytime!
- Sugar et al says
  
  17/04/2013 at 11:26 am
  
  Thank you Deepti! Me too…can have them anytime!
Cheap Ethnic Eatz says

16/04/2013 at 8:06 pm

Happy birthday to your sister, a beautiful post for her. The the crepe (and pics) look so gorgeous.
- Sugar et al says
  
  17/04/2013 at 11:27 am
  
  Thanks a lot Evelyne:-)
Anonymous says

16/04/2013 at 9:14 pm

Beautiful post…
- Sugar et al says
  
  17/04/2013 at 11:32 am
  
  Thank you!
Coffee and Crumpets says

16/04/2013 at 9:46 pm

What a lovely tribute to your sister. I have two myself so I understand the sentiments….though I never told mine my secrets…they would just tell my parents!!
Love the crepes, your sister has great taste because I would pick these too….so does my hubby, he loves crepes and would definitely devour these in no time.
Your photos are gorgeous too Sonali!

Nazneen
- Sugar et al says
  
  17/04/2013 at 11:32 am
  
  Thank you for your kind words Nazneen. My sister is my best secret keeper till date. I know what you mean..I had to keep secrets from my brother when we were small. It would reach my parents without a doubt:-)
Guru Uru says

17/04/2013 at 9:34 am

Happy birthday to your sister my friend, this is such a lovely post and recipe for her!

Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
- Sugar et al says
  
  17/04/2013 at 11:34 am
  
  Thank you so much Uru:-)
Mary says

17/04/2013 at 4:40 pm

What a lovely way to celebrate your sister’s birthday in absentia. The crepes look delicious. Almost as lovely as the words you used to start your post. Have a wonderful day. Blessings…Mary
Soni says

18/04/2013 at 12:24 pm

We love crepes over here and my kids demand them for breakfast every weekend!I love the addition of orange zest and ginger and the caramalised orange sounds fantastic! Can’t wait to try 🙂