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Craving Some Crumpets & Pikelets

Whenever we’re sat in bars, restaurants or wherever and we get chatting to non-Turkish people, we’re always asked, ‘What do you miss about England? You must miss different foods.’

Well, we wouldn’t be normal if we didn’t miss anything.

We miss the Lake District in the Northwest of England as we used to go trekking and camping there a lot. Happy memories…but we’ll trek there again sometime.

When it comes to food and drink, we’ve never really craved much. We both love different foods so past cravings are usually forgotten about.

Barry has asked for friends to bring out Midget Gems (sweets) on occasions but apart from that…well, one day we were chatting and I can’t remember how we got onto the subject but we ended up really craving crumpets!

And as we talked more about them, ohhh, how we wanted a crumpet. So, when we have friends coming to see us, they always ask us if we need anything.

This time’s request was a pack of crumpets (little treat) and crumpet rings – we can sort the craving as and when if we learn how to make crumpets.

Homemade Crumpets
Our first attempt at homemade crumpets

Fortunately, we have the sort of friends who don’t feel the need to say, ‘What?‘ when we make odd requests.

These two friends hunted around for some crumpet rings for us and finally found some a day or two before they flew to Turkey.

We ate the packet of crumpets they brought out for us and then, the other day, we christened the crumpet rings.

Make Crumpets
Not bad for a first attempt

If you know crumpets, you’ll be able to see that the consistency wasn’t quite right. But it wasn’t far off – and the taste was absolutely perfect.

Butter and jam on top. Mmmmm. That sorted the craving.

We’re wondering if maybe the room wasn’t warm enough to kick the yeast into action because it was a bit of air that was missing from the crumpet…and so we decided to give pikelets a go.

The flat crumpet.

Homemade Pikelets
An array of homemade pikelets – the flat crumpet

A work of genius.

And actually, I should point out that I’m using the royal ‘we’ here. Barry is in charge of crumpets – and pikelets.

The mixture made 4 experimental (and good) crumpets and, as you can see, numerous pikelets. We’ve just finished the last two today…

Homemade Pikelet With Butter And Jam
Hot homemade pikelets topped with butter and jam

…served hot with butter and jam…craving abated. Let’s get back to all things Turkish…

If you’re reading this and wondering what on earth a crumpet is, you’re missing out. It’s a Delia Smith mixture of 1 tablespoon of yeast, 225 grams of flour, 1 teaspoon of baking powder and some salt.

Once cooked, you stick them under the grill, crisp them up a little, let your butter melt on top and then, if you want, add jam. (We highly recommend the jam!)

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Turkey's For Life

Wednesday 17th of November 2010

We do our best Inka - to be international :) You're missing out if you don't try a crumpet!

inka

Wednesday 17th of November 2010

I don't have a clue either what crumpets are, so I can't crave them. Now, thanks to you, I read a blog about Turkey and learn about crumpets. That I call a truly international spirit.Thanks you for your kind words about Agatha and the Pera Palace.

Turkey's For Life

Tuesday 16th of November 2010

From this Amy, I'm guessing you're not British. :)Crumpets are a very simple dream food - as you can see from thbe other comments. They should be much more airy than this but our mixture didn't quite work out.

Amy

Tuesday 16th of November 2010

I have never had a crumpet, or knew what went into making them! They look delicious, thanks for sharing :)!

carolinefo

Monday 15th of November 2010

@Natalie And you are STILL married to this man......?