YOGHURT DROP RECIPES

Steps:

• Tip the milk into the slow cooker. Cover and heat on High until the temperature of the milk reaches 82C, this will take a couple of hours. Turn off the slow cooker and allow the temperature to drop to 43C for a further 2-3 hours. Take a mugful of the warm milk and mix it with the yogurt then pour the mixture back into the slow cooker and stir really well. Cover, wrap the slow cooker in a big towel and then leave undisturbed for 9-12 hours until the mixture has set.
• Eat on top of cereal or porridge, topped with fresh fruit, in marinades or drink in smoothies. If you want it thicker, for dips for example, line a large sieve with muslin and place it over a bowl, tip in the yogurt and allow some of the whey to strain off until you get the consistency of yogurt that you like. The longer you leave it, the thicker it will become. Store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

Steps:

• 1. Measure the flour, baking powder and sugar into a large bowl and add the orange zest. Mix together, then make a well in the centre and add the egg and half the milk. Beat well, with a whisk, until you have a smooth thick batter, then beat in enough of the remaining milk to make a batter the consistency of thick pouring cream.

  2. Heat a little oil in a large non-stick frying pan over a high heat. Drop the batter in dessertspoonfuls into the hot pan, spacing each dollop of the mixture well apart to allow it to spread. Cook for about 2 minutes or until bubbles start to appear on the surface, then turn over with a non-stick blunt-ended palette knife or spatula, and cook on the other side for a further 30–60 seconds or until lightly golden brown on both sides.

  3. Use the palette knife to lift the scones on to a wire rack, then cover them with a clean tea towel to keep them soft and warm. Continue more scones in the same way with the remaining, adding a splash more oil if the pan gets too dry.

  4. Serve at once spread with butter, syrup or honey, or with Greek yoghurt and blueberries or raspberries or other seasonal fruits.

  Cook time: 2-3 minutes per batch.

  Prepare Ahead:

  Can be made up to 6 hours ahead and reheated to serve. Arrange in a single layer on a baking tray, cover tightly with foil and warm through in a moderate oven for about 10 minutes.

  Freeze: The drop scones freeze well (see tip); defrost and warm through as above.

  Mary’s Classic Tip:
  * Before freezing the drop pancakes, wrap them in greaseproof paper and pack in a freezer-proof container to prevent them getting damaged edges.