Tuesday 25 February 2014

10 Flippin' Good Pancake Toppings!

Pancake day is this coming Tuesday! So instead of scrimping on those ready mix pots (which we all know taste disgusting!) why not try some of these sweet and savoury ideas to challenge the classic lemon and sugar?


Yoghurt, lemon and raspberry

If you’re after a fresh, lemony pancake topping, look no further. Just stir the zest of half a lemon into 2 tablespoons natural yoghurt and spoon over warm pancakes. Top with fresh raspberries and a drizzle of maple syrup.


Apple and cinnamon pancakes

Once you’ve made your pancake batter, stir in about 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (less if you don’t like it so strong). Core, peel and slice an apple and heat gently in a small saucepan with a tiny splash of water and half a teaspoon of vanilla sugar. Make your pancakes, spoon the soft, warm apple over them, and top with a scoop of ice cream. You can add a pinch of cinnamon to the apples in the pan instead of the pancake batter, if you prefer. 



Vanilla pancakes with raspberry jam and ice cream

Make your pancakes in the usual way, but trickle in half a teaspoon vanilla extract into the batter along with the milk and egg. Warm a couple of teaspoons of raspberry jam until runny and spoon a little over the cooked pancakes. Top with some vanilla ice cream. If you have any fresh raspberries, scatter these over the top too.



Smoked bacon and maple syrup
This classic American pancake works so well by combining sweet, salty and smoky flavours. Just grill a couple of rashers of smoked bacon until crisp. Melt a small knob of butter over some warm pancakes, top with the cooked bacon and drizzle over a little maple syrup.


Caramel, whipped cream and chocolate

For this gorgeously decadent pancake, spread a dollop of caramel over your pancake, and then dot with whipped cream. Fold up the pancake, and grate a little dark chocolate over the top.



Chocolate pancakes with strawberries, cream and hazelnuts

Add a 2-3 teaspoons of good quality cocoa powder to your pancake batter along with half a teaspoon of vanilla essence. Cook in the usual way, then fill with a little double cream, sliced strawberries and drizzle over some melted plain chocolate. Top with roasted, chopped hazelnuts.



Banana, honey, yoghurt and toasted almonds

If you fancy a healthier treat with your pancakes, try this one. Top a warm pancake with a couple of spoonfuls of natural yoghurt and a sliced banana. Drizzle over some runny honey and scatter over a few toasted almond flakes for crunch.



Blueberries and honey with vanilla ice cream

Cook or warm your pancakes and put to one side. In a small frying pan, tip in a handful of blueberries along with a small splash of water and put on a medium heat. When the berries begin to sizzle and pop, drizzle over a tablespoon of runny honey. Squash a couple of the berries, and as you stir, a sticky, dark purple sauce will start to develop. This just takes about a minute. Spoon over your pancakes and top with a scoop of good-quality vanilla ice cream. 



Chilli con carne and cheese

We often tend to think of pancakes as sweet, but they make an excellent base for rich, savoury flavours too. Just top with some hot chilli con carne and finish with grated cheese for a light and tasty lunch.


Spinach pancakes with egg and mushrooms

Add a couple of blocks of defrosted and cooled frozen spinach (or some fresh, chopped spinach) to your pancake batter. In a separate pan, gently cook a handful of sliced chestnut mushrooms in a little butter and olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Cook the pancakes as usual, spoon the mushrooms over and top with a poached egg. Breakfast sorted.

 
Twitter: @PikaJules @Accomforstudent @afs_canterbury @GlideStudent
Instagram: @RaiJules @Accomforstudent
www.accommodationforstudents.com

Monday 3 February 2014

9 Cheap dates for Students

As Valentine's Day draws closer, and the pinch of our student loans rapidly running dry, our other half may or may not be too satisfied with another night doing nothing. Why not try these student-focused date ideas?! (Special thanks to Alex for letting me showcase these embarrassing old images of us!)

1. Take a walk
Every university city has something exciting to offer you can't see anywhere else. Whether it be natural beauty, historic features, architectural feats - there is something in your city to walk to and see. Even if it just be what your city looks like in snow.





2. Home cooked meal
This is a great way to sit down and get to know each other - plus a great way to flaunt your cooking skills! (
 



3. Game/Movie night
Assassins Creed is at the top of the list for my favourite game to play together. He's good at large scale fights, but I rule when it comes to stealth missions: together we make one passable assassin! Wether it be a console game, a PC of even a board game, you're bound to find something that entertains you!

Failing that, cuddling up to a good movie is a safe bet. (Alex, I'm sorry for making you watch Frozen, but hey, Love is an open Doooooooooor!!)



















4. Study buddies
For your inner geek! Or a date when finals are drawing ever nearer! Get your work done whilst spending time together :) I promise its more fun than we make it look!







5. Play games
We've already mentioned board games and video games; but there's plenty more out there! I used to like Nerf til he got a semi-automatic gun that fire 48 bullets in 15 seconds.....
https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/264072_10152478734705235_1570216800_n.jpg






6. Beach
A walk along the beach may sound cheesy, but a change of scenery can bring up stories you never even thought of sharing. Plus you cant beat a good ice cream while topping up your tan!


















7. Stargazing
Another cheesy date - but all the best ones are! Find yourself a steep hill in the dead of night, snuggle up with a blanket and just watch the world go by
















8. Sledding
Seasonal date, obviously, but with the upcoming warnings this may become inevitable! Building snowmen and having snowball fights can also be incredibly fun (if he lets you win!)





9. Local events
Most universities or the nearest city have events going on that will appeal to anyone! Here we are at the Red Bull Soap Box Derby Race, only £10! Check your local media and try something new!





Twitter: @PikaJules @Accomforstudent @afs_canterbury @GlideStudent
Instagram: @RaiJules @Accomforstudent
www.accommodationforstudents.com