On Tuesday 16th February 2010 (Pancake Day), BBC Wales head chef Mark Robinson showed Jamie and Louise how to cook perfect plain pancakes as well as American Style pancakes. Here are his not-so-secret recipes

Basic Pancake Mix

Ingredients:

125g / 4oz Plain Flour
Pinch of Salt
1 Large Egg
1 Tbsp Melted Butter, plus extra for frying
300ml / 10fl oz milk

Method:

Sift the flour and salt into a large bowl. Crack in the egg, then add the melted butter and half the milk. Whisk until smooth, then mix in the remaining milk.

Heat a little butter in a frying pan over a high heat then pour in a ladleful of batter, swirling to coat the base of the pan. Cook for 1-2 minutes, then turn over and cook on the other side until lightly golden-brown.

Remove from the pan and place onto a warm plate and repeat with the remaining batter to make more pancakes. Serve with the filling of your choice.

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American Style Pancakes

Ingredients:

125g / 4oz Plain Flour
Pinch of Salt
3 Large Eggs
1 Heaped Tsp Baking Powder
150ml / 5fl oz milk
Oil for Frying

Method:

Separate the eggs, putting the whites into one bowl and the yolks into another.

Add the flour, baking powder and milk to the yolks and mix to a smooth thick batter.

Whisk the whites with the salt until they form stiff peaks. Fold in the batter and it is now ready to use.

Heat a good non-stick pan on a medium heat. Pour some of the batter into the pan and fry for a couple of minutes until it starts to become golden brown and firm.

At this point sprinkle your chosen filling on to the uncooked side before loosening with a spatula and flipping the pancake over.