Saturday, January 22, 2011

Orange Popovers

I suppose I can’t say that I’d never made popovers before. I did make mini popovers in a mini muffin tin a couple of years ago, and technically, you can make even full-sized popovers in a regular muffin tin. But, what I’m showing here today were my first, proper popovers made in a popover pan. I had clipped this recipe from Food and Wine back in September of 2009, and one thing led to another as it often does in my kitchen, and I only recently acquired a popover pan so I could try this. The effort is so minimal and the result so lovely, there are sure to be many, many popovers in my future. How often do you just whisk a few ingredients together with no need for a mixer and no complicated steps and end up with golden, crisp little breads that are so airy, light and delicious on the inside? The orange zest was an added benefit to their flavor, and adorned with a simple berry jam, they made my morning for a few days in a row.

You start with two bowls. In one of them, whisk together eggs, sugar, orange zest, milk, and melted butter. In the other bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Then, whisk the wet ingredients into the dry, but just until only small lumps remain in the batter. That’s it. The cups of the popover pan were brushed with melted butter, and the pan was warmed in a 425 degree F oven for five minutes before each cup was filled halfway. The popovers baked for 30 minutes and puffed and browned.

The flavor, the texture, and even the aroma while these baked, were more complex than the process of making them. I was amazed that such a simple technique produced these delicate yet crisp morning treats. They were divine warm from the oven, and re-heating them the next day and the day after that worked fine too. Now, I can set about altering the flavor or making some just plain or trying a savory version. My new pan will definitely be getting a lot of use.



29 comments:

  1. Uh oh. Now I'm going to have to buy a popover pan! These look marvelous Lisa...bookmarking yet ANOTHER one of your posts! Thank you!

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  2. Popovers are a delicious speciality! That version is so great.

    Cheers,

    Rosa

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  3. I agree with Michelle. Popover pan in my future.

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  4. I had the same popover pan 25 years ago and I foolishly tossed it; now I need to get another one, these popovers are too alluring!

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  5. Oh oh, look how tall they have "popped"!

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  6. That organge zest just looks so bright and beautiful.

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  7. They look delicious and I can't believe how much they popped! I will have to find a popover pan too....

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  8. I hav enever made popovers. Too scary for me.

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  9. Gorgeous! They have the perfect popover crowns! I've been a little disappointed in the appearance of my bouchons that I made in my popover pan. Not sure if I didn't fill the wells enough or if the batter was too dense to rise over but I've never achieved a crown. Must try again- thanks for the inspiration!

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  10. My popovers never look this popped and pretty. But then, I have only ever made them in a big muffin tin. Is all the puff and crown due to the popover pan? If so, I will also be needing to acquire one pronto. (But tomorrow morning I may just try this recipe in my muffin pan to see how it turns out).

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  11. Christine: The pan does help make the popovers nice and tall, but it also depends on the recipe. The baking powder in this one helps the popovers rise.

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  12. Wow they look gorgeous. Will you believe that I've never heard of popovers before?

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  13. These are so cute! I have wanted a popover pan ever since I first saw these babies. I love the citrus infusion you've got going on here!

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  14. I absolutely LOVE popovers! Yours look and sounds divine. Never made flavored ones, always stuck to the traditional ones. These are a must make. Just recently went to Tyler Florence's new restaurant in SF called Wayfare Tavern and they serve popovers versus the standard bread. Perhaps popovers are making a resurgence! :)

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  15. I have a popover pan back home, and love love LOVE popovers, but never made them sweet. Something to consider for sure!

    Lovely, Lisa...

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  16. These make me want to get a popover pan - they look perfect!

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  17. something new to me, in Lithuania I'm sure I havent seen such thing as a popover pan :) they look really lovely

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  18. Love popovers and am such a sucker for anything with orange. These sound amazing.

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  19. I'm lovin' the cool popover pans, don't think I've seen these down under either. These little things sounds wonderful Lisa :)

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  20. Gorgeous, and I can only imagine how nicely they crunch, too. The pans are the coolest ever. You've done it again, Lisa!

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  21. These popovers look divine!! I'm really amazed at how easy these cute stuff were made. Definitely need to try it out. ;)

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  22. Cool. Love the addition of orange. And that is one bodacious popover pan... Beautiful!

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  23. Oh wow...the popovers really pop up SO high! I would surely love them. Must be so fun to make, especially when you see them rise :D

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  24. I have long been wanting a popover pan. I even have one on my Amazon list and just have not executed. I love the idea of being able to make a bread-like thing without all the waiting.

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  25. I love popovers too - so easy but so impressive. Love your idea for adding the orange flavor - now I'm thinking of new flavors too. Thanks!

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  26. count me among the popover virgins--i've never eaten one or made a batch. cool pan, and i like the fact that you could take either a savory or sweet route with them.

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  27. Wow. You can't even buy turnovers this good. Thanks.

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