Popovers

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon shortening or nonstick spray coating
• 2 beaten eggs
• 1 cup milk
• 1 tablespoon cooking oil
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions

1. Using 1/2 teaspoon shortening for each cup, grease the bottom and sides of six 6-ounce custard cups or the cups of a popover pan. Or, spray cups with nonstick coating. Place the custard cups on a 15x10x1-inch baking pan; set aside.
2. In a mixing bowl combine beaten eggs, milk, and cooking oil. Add flour and salt. Beat with a rotary beater or wire whisk till mixture is smooth. Fill the greased cups half full. Bake in a 400° oven about 40 minutes or till very firm.
3. Immediately after removal from the oven, prick each popover with a fork to let steam escape. Then, if crisper popovers are desired, return the popovers to the oven for 5 to 10 minutes more or till desired crispness (be sure the oven is turned off). Serve hot.
4. Blender Popovers: Prepare as above, except combine eggs, milk, cooking oil, flour, and salt in a blender container or food processor bowl. Cover and blend or process about 30 seconds or till smooth. Scrape sides of blender or bowl, if necessary.
5. Whole Wheat Popovers: Prepare as above, except reduce all-purpose flour to 3/4 cup and add 1/4 cup whole wheat flour.
6. Parmesan-Basil Popovers: Prepare as above, except add 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese and 3/4 teaspoon dried basil, crushed, with the flour.
7. Onion and Garlic Popovers: Prepare as above, except add 1/4 teaspoon onion powder and 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder with the flour.
8. Cinnamon Popovers: Prepare as above, except add 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon with the flour. Serve with honey and margarine or butter, if desired.