Poffertjes

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Poffertjes
Poffertjes served with butter and powdered sugar
TypePancake-like
CourseDinner, snack, dessert
Place of originNetherlands
Region or stateNorthwestern Europe
Serving temperatureWarm or hot
Main ingredientsBatter (yeast, flour)

Poffertjes (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈpɔfərcəs] ) are a traditional Dutch batter treat. Resembling small, fluffy pancakes, they are made with yeast and buckwheat flour.[1][2] Typically, poffertjes are a sweet treat, served with powdered sugar and butter, and sometimes syrup or advocaat. However, there is also a savoury variant with gouda cheese.[3]

History[edit]

As food first seen on a fair in Amsterdam in 1746. Poffertjes are also known as 'brothers'. The catholic church claims they invented 'poffertjes', but there are doubts about that claim.

In the churches in the south of the Netherlands, sacramental host was eaten during the communion ceremony. Because the host was very dry, the brothers started experimenting with different recipes. From these culinary experiments the poffertjes that we know today have emerged.{{Citation needed|date=November 2022|reason=the sacramental host is not meant as food, which makes this explanation doubtful. An other explantion is, poffertjes come from France, Bordeaux.

Servings[edit]

Poffertjes are a festive holiday treat in the Netherlands, popular at both summer festivals and Christmas markets.[2] Mainly in the winter season temporary stands selling poffertjes are quite popular and sell portions containing one or two dozen. Usually the cook prepares them fresh for the customer. They are sold on a small cardboard (sometimes plastic) plate and come with a small disposable fork the size of a pastry fork. Poffertjes are not difficult to prepare, but a special cast iron pan or copper pan (also available in aluminium with Teflon coating) with several shallow indentations in the bottom is required.

Almost all Dutch supermarkets (like Albert Heijn, Lidl and Jumbo) sell ready-made poffertjes that only need to be microwaved, and are sold complete with a sachet of powdered sugar and a small serving of butter. Supermarkets also stock mixes for poffertjes, to which only eggs and milk need to be added. Usually they contain a leavening agent such as baking powder.

Poffertjes can also be served with other sweet garnishes, such as syrup, whipped cream or strawberries, for added flavour.

Poffertjes are also known in Indonesian cuisine through its historical ties as the former Dutch colony.[4] Poffertjes are also regularly found on German Christmas markets.

Similar dishes[edit]

Poffertjes are thought to be related to and to have influenced the Indonesian kue cubit. Poffertjes have some similarities with Indian paniyaram and Hong Kong egg waffles, but differ in many aspects. The Danish Æbleskiver pancakes are quite similar.

See also[edit]

  • Akok – Traditional Malaysian snack, a similar Malaysian dish
  • Egg waffle – Hong Kong dish, a similar Hong Kong dish
  • Kuzhi paniyaram – Indian dish, a similar dish from the south of India that comes in sweet and savory varieties
  • Serabi – Indonesian type of pancake, a similar dish utilizing coconuts found in Thailand and Indonesia.
  • Takoyaki – Japanese appetizer, a similar savory Japanese dish filled with diced octopus
  • List of pancakes
  • icon Food portal

References[edit]

  1. ^ Tiefenbacher, K.F. (2017). The Technology of Wafers and Waffles I: Operational Aspects. Elsevier Science. p. 101. ISBN 978-0-12-811452-0. Retrieved 23 June 2018.
  2. ^ a b "Poffertjes". Holland.com. Archived from the original on 2017-09-05. Retrieved 2017-09-05.
  3. ^ Clara ten Houte de Lange (2007). Dutch cooking today. Inmerc. p. 14. ISBN 9789066118454.
  4. ^ Albertin Hoesni. Pedoman Memasak Terampil Kue Nostalgia Belanda (in Indonesian). PT Gramedia Pustaka Utama. ISBN 9789792246285.

External links[edit]