We hardly ever watch any food shows on TV. Once in a while, though, Nate and I will watch Jacques Pépin’s show More Fast Food My Way on PBS. It’s low-key, simple food and I especially like it when his daughter is on. Their interactions are so, I don’t know, un-produced. It’s kind of fun. On a recent episode, Jacques made a simple skillet bread that I quickly jotted down and decided I had to try.
Try I did. This week, in fact. It was good. And I’m naming it Skillet Biscuit Bread because the bread tasted a lot like biscuits. And it really was so easy to throw together. Anna, my 2-year-old, couldn’t stop eating it!
Here’s a side shot so you can get an idea of the texture. The outside is quite crusty and cripsy, while the inside is very moist and biscuity (how’s that for an adjective?). So, if you’re tight on time and ingredients and want a simple biscuit-like bread to go with dinner, give this a try.
Skillet Biscuit Bread
As described by Jacques Pépin on More Fast Food My Way
- 1 1/2 cup flour
- 1 cup water
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp saltMix the dry ingredients, then add water and mix. Heat a 9-inch non-stick skillet over medium heat. Butter all surfaces of pan then pour in the batter, spreading evenly in the pan. Cook until the bread is browned, then flip and cook until that side is browned (probably 5-8 minutes per side or so…I forgot to keep track!) Cut up, butter the bread a bit more and enjoy! Would also be delicious with a bit of honey!
Hello! My name is Jane Maynard and you've landed yourself on my blog, This Week for Dinner™. Every Sunday I share a weekly menu...and then count on you to share your own! You'll also find other deliciousness that I hope you'll enjoy!
Oh, this looks like an awesome savory breakfast bread too. Definitely going to add this to our repertoire.
great idea!
sounds good!
might have to try it if I can borrow a pan from my sister or mom. we only have stainless steel pans
you know…if you buttered your stainless steel pan a lot it might work. it’s such an inexpensive bread, might be worth the test…and if you DO test it (I don’t have a stainless steel pan this size), let us know if it works!
This looks delicious! I love a quick bread recipe, especially since every time I make some, I want it right away. Do you think it would hold up to adding other items to it (like for a savory breakfast mentioned above)?
yes, I do think it would hold up. it’s quite hearty. if you experiment, please report back!
I will take a slice with honey! Thanks Jane:)
I think I may add some herbs to this, maybe a little shredded cheese and serve it with some soup or beans…will probably try this for dinner tonight, thanks!
i love that show too and was intrigued by this recipe – i put my own spin on his gnocchi n eggs a while ago:
http://theactorsdiet.wordpress.com/2010/02/04/lynn-new-staples/
This looks wonderful and so quick and easy. I’m trying it tonight!
Yum! I bet it would work really nicely in a cast iron skillet as well. I’d like to see how it works out with a whole grain flour, like spelt or whole wheat as well. I often do a flat bread on my pizza stone, but it’s a yeasted dough, so you’ve got to factor in rising time. I’ll try this one for sure!
I was thinking of the cast iron and whole grain flour too!!! Worth a try!!
Katie, actually a cast iron pan in the perfect way to cook this!! Trust me, I know this
Please see my comment under Chris’ post 12 comments down from yours. 
Looks terrific, and so simple – I love that!
I would add some fresh herbs like dill and chives and make cucumber sandwiches with it. What an awesome recipe!
I don’t watch much TV… I’ll have to look up that show. It sounds great.
WOW this looks great! I love Jacques Pepin !
I just want to reach into that last photo and take that bread.
An ardent breakfast eater…(Only have breakfast at times)I am..Just love the bread in it…I am sure will fulfill my carbohydrate frenzy in the morning…
Delish + easy = winner! Can’t wait to try it. Thanks!!
This bread is amazing! I tried it tonight and me and my boyfriend couldn’t stop eating it! Thank so much for the recipe! I documented my experience here: misschefy.wordpress.com
I’m always looking for a fast bread recipe for side dishes!
This looks absolutely delicious! I just found your blog – and love it!
I try this bread recipe, and didn´t work for me. I put the mix into the skillet and then turn it 10 min later and wait another 10 min. I thought it was ready because the crust was brown but in the inside was gluey and sticky. I wait for another 20 min and never get cook enought. I am wandering what happened!!.. I will keep trying… Any suggestions?
I made this as a late night snack and it was pretty good. Tasted like a giant tortilla to me.
The picture looks a lot like what my mom made for us as kids; she called it “hoe cake”. Mom has Alzheimer’s and can’t remember the recipe. I so regret not getting it sooner. But I will try this one for sure.
I was born in New Orleans, La and my family is from the bayou in lower La (Cajun & Creole). I grew up on this every morning with coffee (yes we were given coffee(with chickory) at a very young age) and although according to the dictionary its not the correct term, we call it short cake. My maw maw (great grandma) always fixed this especially when we didn’t have much to eat…I’m 29 now, & I actually just fixed some with coffee for breakfast this morning!!! First time I’ve heard of anyone outside our family both speak of & truly appreciate this stuff! The only difference is we add a little oil to the “dough” and we don’t add baking powder (didn’t always have stuff like that in the house when you were poor lol).
chris and april – I love BOTH of your comments, getting a peak into your lives and your family’s lives…thank you for commenting!
Wow!!! First time at your blog and I’m definitely trying this recipe out tonight!!!!
I was very thrilled to find this recipe here. My grandmother made this for me as a young boy. I tried the recipe exactly, but the dough didn’t cook on the inside. Any idea where I went wrong?
my best guess is that your stove may run hotter than mine, so I would try it at a bit of a lower heat and maybe try cooking longer…sounds like the outside cooked to quickly before the middle could cook through. try adjust the heat and let us know if that works!