The Covered Dish - Basic Crepe Batter

So; I’m not sharing my new soup recipe this week. It came out just fine, but I’m not sure it displays the quality I like to share, so it is on hold a bit longer. Instead I’d like to focus a little on our upcoming Valentine’s Celebration, tips and ideas to make it a joy for the cook and the recipients.
I’m actually doing a dinner for the event this year. There were a number of reasons why I decided to host a Valentine function. Probably the biggest was my desires for quality and cost. By the time the Valentine dinner is wrapped the bank account will still be intact, the dinner crowds will have been left behind and the quality of the evening will have soared.
As I always point out ‘simplicity’ is your friend for a comfortable-stress free night of entertaining. Everything on the menu does not have to be made from scratch. In fact, I highly recommend it not be. I recently found a local who sells delicious sour dough (mine is dormant at the moment) and I plan on picking up her bread for my dinner.
You don’t have to make the dessert, it could be purchased from another local individual. Make as many things in advance that you can. Table decor should be done ahead of time. (I made mine last week.) The fewer do’s for the dinner night the better.
Beverages can be ahead of time with small garnishes made in advance. This is a night for real napkins, DO NOT use paper napkins! Strategically place candles around the home, and if weather allows have the fire going. Plan the music while you’re driving to work one morning. Have ‘fresh’ cozy blankets in the living room for dessert and coffee. Also make the bathroom a little special with a fresh flower or candle.
The meal can be as simple as spaghetti, salad and bread or as elaborate as steak and seafood. I’ve chosen shrimp and grits as my entree with an elaborate salad and bread. For dessert I’m serving 2-3 presentations. One being this week’s feature strawberry crepes. Everything about crepes can be made ahead of time.
Be sure and pull out a special plate for the dessert. I use clear glass dessert plates which shows off the dessert nicely.
While many reach for heavier Valentine desserts like cheesecake, (Which can also be made in advance.) heavy chocolates and the like I prefer a lighter approach to the closure of a meal. Don’t think I’d turn down the cheesecake, not happening, Under no circumstances do you use Valentine’s Day or any other dinner party as an experimenting ground for new dishes. This is a time for signature dishes, and no big surprises. Oh boy, I’m going against the grain here, as my shrimp dish will be a bit new, which is why we are having it for just the 2 of us ahead of the dinner party.
This dessert is not difficult, you can make the crepe shells, it just takes time ahead of the event. I’ll be making mine at least a week to 2 weeks ahead of the event; then putting them in the freezer. The filling can also be made 4-5 days before the event, adding the fresh fruit at the end. Let’s get rolling on Strawberry Crepes!
Simply yours, The Covered Dish.


Basic Crepe Batter
2/3 cup unsifted flour
2 eggs, lightly beaten
3 tablespoons, cooled, melted butter
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 cup milk or light cream
Oil of choice for cooking the crepe shell
Mix all batter ingredients together with only 1⁄2 cup of the milk. Use a submersible blender or small mixer, as ingredients need to be very smooth. After blended well add the remaining 1⁄2 cup of milk. Refrigerate overnight or for at least 3 hours.
Slowly heat up a 7 inch skillet brushing with the oil of choice. Usually it takes me close to 3 tablespoons to cover the bottom of the skillet, lifting and turning to cover. Use medium heat, when lightly brown lift with tongs to turn, browning other side. Remove to cool. Stack with parchment paper or wax paper between each shell. Should yield a dozen shells.
Cream Filling
8 ounces softened cream cheesecake
1 cup sour cream
6 ounces strawberry yogurt
1 teaspoon vanilla
1⁄2 cup powdered sugar
1 tablespoon grenadine
Blend all ingredients until smooth.
3 cups fresh strawberries for fill and for garnishing
Hold back strawberries with stems in tact, for the top garnish.
You will fill the crepe with a row of cream and then layer on a few sliced berries, before rolling and placing on the serving plate. Squirt a little of the filling over the top with an angle cut strawberry, sprinkle with powdered sugar and serve. Other additions could be chocolate, whipped cream, mint leaves, etc.
Yep, ‘A Recipe for Love’.