Am I the only person who only ever thinks of making pancakes on Shrove Tuesday? I’ve no idea why this is the case because every pancake day I remember how much I like them – especially with plenty of lemon juice and sugar.
What does ‘shrove’ mean?
Have you ever wondered what ‘shrove’ means? I’ve Googled it this year and apparently it’s taken from the word ‘shrive’, which meas ‘absolve’. So the whole idea is that believers should “make a special point of self-examination, of considering what wrongs they need to repent, and what amendments of life or areas of spiritual growth they especially need to ask God’s help in dealing with.”
Shrove Tuesday is, of course, the last day before Lent, when people traditionally give something up e.g. chocolate, alcohol, cakes – or beer, fags and rollerblading to quote a Father Ted episode. In other countries it’s called Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday) and is traditionally a way of eating up all the
Shrove Tuesday, or Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday), of course signals the last day before Lent. It was traditionally a day of gorging on fatty food before the fasting period of Lent begins – hence the pancakes.
Below are a couple of simple pancake recipes for you to try – but remember, food safety first – if you toss them onto the floor or they stick on the ceiling, throw them in the bin (if the dog doesn’t get to them first…).
Easy pancake recipe
Ingredients
100g flour
2 large eggs
300ml milk
Oil for frying (sunflower or olive oil)
Pinch of salt
Obviously, wash your hands, put on an apron and tie any long hair back before you start. Then:
Whisk flour eggs and milk together and add a pinch of salt.
Take a non-stick skillet and add a few drops of oil.
Heat the pan until it is so hot the oil is smoking.
Then take a cupful of mixture and and pour it into the pan. Tilt the pan until the whole surface is covered with the mixture.
Leave it on the heat for a minute or so. Lift the pancake using a palette knife to see if it is cooked underneath.
When cooked on one side, make sure it is not sticking to the pan and then TOSS THE PANCAKE IN THE AIR and catch it in the pan, ready to cook the other side.
Ta –dah! Tip onto a plate and add whatever topping you choose.
Easy Gin and Tonic pancake recipe
Ingredients
100g flour
2 large eggs
300ml milk
Oil for frying (sunflower or olive oil)
Pinch of salt
120g chocolate
Pour a large glass of gin and tonic. Drink it.
Pour another. Drink it.
Forget about pancake mixture.
Watch box set. Eat chocolate.
Happy pancake day, everyone!