When I was growing up a favorite holiday outing was an annual trip to The Magic Pan restaurant for a meal of crepes. Originally started at Ghirardelli Chocolate in San Francisco, The Magic Pan became a nationwide chain of restaurants all serving up both sweet and savory crepes. It was all very exotic to me; the finely rolled, airy crepes filled with warm, rich fillings. I remember dressing up and usually going to the restaurant after a city outing to see the Nutcracker Ballet, another annual celebration of the season.
When my children were younger I was flooded with the magical memory and wanting to afford them a visit to the popular creperie. But alas when sleuthing I learned they were no longer in business. Having since become gluten free I put crepes in the ‘won’t have that again’ category until recently.
One benefit of eating gluten free is the exposure to the variety of flours available. Loving a novel or unique find, when I ran into Italian Chestnut flour* I had to buy it. Made from 100% ground chestnuts it harkened to the rustic, cozy quality I love about fall and winter. I noted a little crepe recipe on the back of the bag which really piqued my curiosity. I went home and began to experiment.
I served these crepes with homemade Spiced Hazelnut Milk
After a few rounds of changing around ingredients I was delighted to have fashioned a lovely crepe that cooked quickly as a crepe is meant to do and was pliable to roll around delectable filling, in this case of Whipped Nutella Cream. The crepes bear a more rustic appearance than those paper-thin served at the Magic Pan but I did not care. I love things that look ‘real’ and these were welcoming and delicious. My success gave way to many ideas both sweet and savory crepes, and the satisfaction that crepes are back in my now gluten free repertoire.
*I purchased the Dowd & Rogers Italian Chestnut flour locally at Vitamin Cottage in Lafayette Colorado.
marla says
Beautiful! Love these crepes. Will be linking back to this in my upcoming post 🙂
Daniela @ FoodrecipesHQ says
Perfect food composition. I have never come across chestnut flour in Italy although I am Italian. It is not something you find everywhere. I like that it’s possible to buy it from Amazon, though. There are many products, especially organic, that are produced in Italy but exported to other countries (Italian don’t buy much organic, still too expensive).
Great recipe, amazing pictures.
marla says
Oh wow do these sound great Toni! I have never worked with chestnut flour but I am sure I would LOVE it. Lovely crepes and the hazelnut milk sounds great too!
Shanna says
Lovely! I recently purchased some chestnut flour as well, it is an absolute treat! These crepes look so good I can fully imagine the way they would ooze with creamy deliciousness!
Toni Dash says
What have you made with the flour Shanna? This was my first dip into the Chestnut Flour pond! It certainly gave me interest in trying it in more things.
Viviane Bauquet Farre says
Wow, what a marvelous treat, Toni. Crepes and Nutella are a classic duo, but to throw chestnuts in there is just too good! Well done!
foodwanderings says
OMG chestnut flour crepes?! I am absolutely flipping over the,. Just beautiful. You left me speechless!
Toni Dash says
Thank you! They were pretty delicious!
Jennifer-The Adventuresome Kitchen says
Love, love, LOVE cooking with chestnut flour! It’s naturally sweet and makes great cakes and pastas too. I always make the traditional savory buckwheat gallettes from Normandy when I need a crepe since they are naturally GF. But now you’ve got be in the mood for something sweet. Btw- I too have very fond childhood memories of the Magic Pan. Did you know that there’s a creperie in Writer Square that serves lovely GF crepes? We found them this summer after our meal at Euclid Hall and I’ve been meaning to write about it ever since. I can’t remember their name at the moment but I have it written down and can post it here when I find it.
Toni Dash says
Hi Jennifer! Thanks for the tip on the GF crepes. I have not had crepes since becoming GF 7 or 8 years ago now. I’m looking forward to working with the flour more. Feels so apropos for this time of year, don’t you think?
Kayle (The Cooking Actress) says
Omigoodness these crepes look delectable! Pure perfection!!
Toni Dash says
Thank you Kayle! They really turned out well!
Batya says
Toni, This looks delicious! Chestnuts are *the* most perfect thing this time of year (I was in Rome a few Decembers ago and ate my bodyweight in roasted chestnuts)…and wouldn’t you know, I have a whole tub of Nutella just staring at me, right this very minute! Can’t wait to make this one. Happy holidays. -Batya
Toni Dash says
I agree about the seasonality Batya. I conjured this idea about a month ago and have not been able to let it go! Had no idea how they’d turn out and I was more than pleased. I’m looking forward to experimenting more with the flour too!
Claire Walter says
I first encountered Nutella in Europe (Italy? Switzerland? Austria?), where little individual servings were available at breakfast, along with jams and marmalades. I see great possibilities for your Nutella whipped cream in addition to those wonderful-sounding (and -looking) crepes. Layer cake filling? In a tart shell and topped with fresh raspberries? Alongside vanilla gelato, perhaps?
Toni Dash says
You know Claire I really don’t have a long history with Nutella. I’m sure I too crossed paths with it on my many trips to Europe but candidly have looked the other way of late feeling it’s taken on a trendy culinary status in the blogosphere (perhaps with good merit but I find over popularity a turn off!). I thought of this and frankly tried to think of something else besides Nutella due to the popularity but kept looping back to it. After thinking of it for 6 weeks I was glad I gave into my gut; they are delicious! I love all of your ideas too!
Meeling says
Looks & sounds delicious!!
Toni Dash says
Thank you! They will be a staple in our house I feel sure of it!