Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Strawberry Mascarpone Crepes


Are you guilty of buying cooking magazines in the check out line? It's hard to resist, isn't it? There you are standing in line and the magazines are glaring at you, tempting you with their pretty cover dishes. I'm convinced it's a form of torture. I used to be really bad about buying cooking magazines, collecting so many that I couldn't even go through them all. I seem to have a little more control lately, except when it comes those huge Taste of Home Editions. You know the ones I'm talking about? The magazine that is more like a book than a magazine. It's like a mega magazine with 240 recipes. Packed with mostly family style dishes, sweet treats, and breads, they are almost always worth buying.

Armed with my new mega magazine, I can hardly wait to get home and flip through it. This is serious business for me! A new cookbook or magazine is such a delight. An adventure that you can immerse yourself in for a short time. Settled on the couch with a notebook and pen, I'm in pig heaven (literally)!

I have a special weakness for breakfast/brunch recipes and these Strawberry Mascarpone Crepes were seriously calling my name! Even better, I had half a tub of mascarpone and some strawberries to use up. It was like it was meant to be.

Strawberry Mascarpone Crepes
Adapted from Best of Taste of Home 2010
Serves 8, can be halved
Batter:
3 eggs
3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons milk
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
5 teaspoons butter, melted (I think I used 5 tablespoons, oops!)
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
Filling:
1 cup (8 ounces) Mascarpone Cheese
2 tablespoons Confectioner's Sugar
3 to 4 teaspoons minced fresh basil
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1-1/2 cups sliced fresh strawberries (sliced into bite-sized pieces)
Strawberry Topping:
2 cups slices fresh strawberries
1/2 cup sugar
2 tablespoons orange juice (I used lemon juice)
1 teaspoon strawberry or vanilla extract (I used vanilla extract)
Dash of Salt
To make crepes:
4 teaspoons butter, divided (I found I really didn't need any butter when using a nonstick skillet)

For the batter: In a blender, combine the batter ingredients, cover and process until smooth. Cover and refrigerate 1 hour.

Meanwhile, for filling: In a small bowl, combine the cheese, confectioner's sugar, basil and lemon juice. Gently fold in the strawberries. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

For the topping: In a small bowl, combine strawberries, sugar, orange juice, extract and salt. Let stand on counter for 30 minutes.

To make the Crepes: Melt 1 teaspoon butter in an 8-inch nonstick skillet over medium heat; pour about 1/4 cup batter into the center of the skillet. Lift and tilt pan to coat bottom evenly. Cook until top appears dry; turn and cook 15-20 seconds longer. Remove to a wire rack. Repeat with remaining batter, greasing skillet as needed. When cool, stack crepes with waxed paper or paper towels in between (I used paper towels with good results)

Spoon filling over crepes; roll up. Serve with strawberry topping.

Notes/Results: These crepes were heavenly! Delicate, light, creamy and fruity. I really loved them and will most definitely be making them again. I really wish that I had been able to add the minced fresh basil to the filling, but I didn't have any basil on hand. I'm sure the basil is a wonderful addition. I had to laugh when I typed this recipe out. I realized that when making the batter for the crepes I had added 5 Tablespoons of melted butter instead of 5 teaspoons. No wonder the crepes were so good! The crepes are gorgeous when plated and would make a wonderful addition to any Spring Brunch Menu, perfect for Easter or Mother's Day.

33 comments:

  1. those look absolutely amazing! I think I know what I'm making for Easter brunch :)

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  2. What perfect timing. My daughter just asked for crepes for her birthday breakfast later this week! Yum!

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  3. I know what we're having for breakfast this weekend. Strawberries are out and on sale. 5 Tbsp of butter can do magic.

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  4. That looks like something you'd get in a fancy restaurant!

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  5. I agree!!! I have so many cookbooks and magazines...I love them ;-)That looks fantastic.

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  6. These look lovely Kim, how I dream of eating those right now. Im starving. What an excellent recipe.

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  7. awesome looking crepes..awesome :) But kim, is mascapone readily available in groceries? I was thinking..will cream cheese work?

    Thanks

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  8. Those look absolutely delicious! I actually don't think I've ever had mascarpone before.
    ~Jenny~

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  9. These would be instantly addictive! What a great recipe.

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  10. These crepes look delicious! I'm with you. I think it is torture to have to look at those cooking mags at check out. I have very little self control so I end up with way too many!

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  11. Mmm, what a treat! They look absolutely wonderful. I haven't read that mag, I wonder if we get it here.

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  12. Stunning,memorable and luscious. You have me dreaming of them...

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  13. My family doesn't like a ricotta filling in crepes, but I haven't tried mascarpone. It sounds scrumptious!

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  14. Hi Kim! I just stumbled upon your blog because of the crepe posting, and I'm mad about crepes. Yours look yummy! Would you consider posting your opinion on your favorite crepe filling on my page for the best crepe recipe in the world? We've got some friendly dialogue on the subject, and I'd welcome any thoughts on the matter! Thanks for sharing!

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  15. Those are so pretty! I had to ban myself from buying any more checkout recipe mags. I had so many and I knew I could find most of it online. I am still majorly tempted though, they always look so tempting!! :)

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  16. oh I buy wayyyy to many mags...I love crepes...they looks super yummy!!

    sweetlife

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  17. 5 tbsp v. 5 tsp...minor difference :)

    I love crepes and especially with the mascarpone...these must have been deliciously creamy!

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  18. 5 tablespoons of butter? Somehow I feel that your "Ooops" is insincere. lol. Love butter and these look and sound amazing. I do the same thing with cooking mags...snuggle up on my sofa with notebook and pen.

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  19. I am definitely guilty of buying the magazines in the checkout. I try and pass them on when I can. Those strawberry mascarpone creations are gorgeous!

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  20. Your crepes look creamy and delicious. I'm on magazine restriction but, I think the Best of Taste of Home is more like a cookbook, so the restriction shouldn't apply.
    Mimi

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  21. Fabulous looking crepes!! I have never tried to make crepes, but they are on my list of things to make before I die. :)

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  22. I'm whimpering. I want.
    this is amazing, Kim.

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  23. i have made the savory crepes, but have yet to do the sweet crepes! i also love looking through magazines for ideas and recipes, so i totally know where you're coming from!

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  24. I don't even let myself pick them up - avoid all temptation!! These do look mighty tasty, though!

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  25. You know I am more than guilty of picking of cooking magazines even if just one recipe catches my eye! ;-)

    The crepes look delicious--I am coming over for brunch! ;-)

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  26. What a gorgeous breakfast treat. I can't wait to give these a try. They look and sound delicious.

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  27. Oh these crepes look beautiful, Kim! I love that you used mascarpone! I love it!

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  28. What delicious crepes! Your timing is impeccable - I came home with the best looking strawberries yesterday and a fresh tub of mascarpone! It must be fate!

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  29. Wow those crepes look amazingly delicious. Marscapone too? YUM! Can I eat breakfast at your house tomorrow? Please? I don't eat a lot.

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  30. That looks absolutely beautiful!!

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  31. Kim-I made these for breakfast today. They are fabulous and I am addicted. Mascarpone was no where to be found in my small town, so I used cream cheese. Really, really great!

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