How to cook perfect pancakes? I know how to make the mixture but I always mess up cooking them! I've practiced over and over... What more can I do?

1: Use a good quality, non-stick pan. Get it very hot and use a small amount of oil and you shouldn't have too many problems.

2: There is several mixtures for pancakes, English ones are like a runny mixture which is basically like Yorkshire Pudding batter. American ones are slightly thicker (more flour) therefore make more 'doughy' ones, I love the American ones as they are easier to turn over in the pan. Use a small frying pan so its easier to control and turn pancakes over. Get the pan nice and hot but keep it on a low heat, you dont want to get it stuck to the pan. Use lard/oil and make sure the pan is slicked. Plus keep moving the pancakes, just shaking the pan gently back and forth or side to side.

3: Firstly, don't put too much batter in the pan. A little goes a long way and it should just cover the bottom of the pan. Using a non stick pan, give the pan a jiggle from time to time to stop it sticking and to make it cook evenly. You will know when to turn the pancake when there is no runny batter on top when you tilt the pan. It will just look pale and glossy. Slide a wide spatula under the pancake and flip it that way. Don't be tempted to press it flat with the spatula. It will only stick. It is cooked when the sides begin to curl inwards. Apply lemon and sugar and invite me round!

4: Expect to sacrifice the first batch to the Gods of Frying Pan. Get the pan hot, go easy on the oil, Canola is good b/c it has a really high flash point.

5: I find using butter to grease the pan improves the flavour, and you don't need much. Depends how you mess up, if they keep breaking, try making slightly thicker ones, but turn the heat down slightly so they cook properly. Are you trying to make crepes or drop scones perhaps? There is very little you can do to mess up pancakes, it's more about the flavour than how they look! You might just be being too hard on yourself. Chocolate spread and crushed digestives or strawberries make an amazing filling!

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