Pancake Tuesday

Pancake Tuesday

Shrove Tuesday, or Pancake Tuesday, is the eve of Lent. It is celebrated across the world in many different ways. Brazilians samba in the streets of Rio, and New Orleans throws its most famous party of the year.

In some areas of England, housewives still compete in the unusual tradition of popping on their aprons and racing each other holding pancake-filled skillets. Each contestant must toss and flip her pancakes into the air at least three times before crossing the finish line.

In Ireland, Eggs and Butter were once forbidden during the 40 day Lenten fast so on Shrove Tuesday Irish bakers used to make pancakes to use up their stores of eggs and butter.

Easy Pancakes......

2 large eggs
1 cup/mug milk (do not use low-fat or nonfat)
1 cup/mug flour
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla, extract
1/2 teaspoon salt
Extra butter for cooking

Note: Make sure you use the same sized cup/mug for measuring the milk & flour

1. Crack the egg into a large mixing bowl or food processor

2. Pop in the flour, milk & a half teaspoon of salt.

3. Whisk it all up together until its nice & smooth or turn on the processor and blend until nice and smooth.

4. Heat a non stick pan, pop a little butter to melt and then add the pancake batter. You can cook a couple of small ones together or one large one that fits the pan.

5. Cook for 1 to 2 mins and use a spatula to turn them over or have a go at flipping them (mind the ceiling)

6. Once they are cooked on both sides transfer to a plate, with greaseproof paper between each pancake, this prevents them from sticking . Pop them into a warmed oven .

7. Wipe the pan with kitchen paper before you begin cooking the next batch and continue cooking until you have finished the batter.

American Pancakes

1 egg

1 cup of self raising flour

1 cup of milk

1 teasp of vanilla essence

Pinch of salt

Same method as above...

Traditional fresh lemon juice & caster sugar

Mixed berries , icing sugar & a little fresh cream

Berry Coulis, pop 2 handfuls of berries into a small food processor with 1 teasp of icing sugar

Stewed apple with raisins & ice cream

Fruit of the forest yoghurt with mixed berry jam

Chocolate spread with sliced banana

Chocolate Spread with chopped nuts or dried cranberries & blueberries

Strawberry or raspberry jam with a little cream

Sprinkle drained chopped pineapple with brown sugar, pop on a line baking tray @ 180 for 10 mins, serve with pancakes & icecream

American Pancakes drop a handful of blueberries into the batter and cook

American grate a pear into the batter and cook

American pancakes, top with crispy bacon & maple syrup

Savoury pancakes

Drop the sugar & vanilla essence

Use the exact same method for cooking..

Sauteed chopped Mushrooms with garlic, fresh parsley, white wine & 1 tablespoon of cream

Chopped ham & wilted spinach

Roast red peppers, crumbled feta cheese & fresh basil

Tuna, creamy sauce & little grated mozzarella

Buffalo mozzarella, plum tomatoes fresh basil

Seafood with fresh dill & light cream sauce

Asiany Pancake Stack

50g plain flour

1 egg

100ml milk

½ teasp of chilli powder

½ teasp of ground turmeric

½ teasp of cumin

Salt/ ground pepper

Filling

1 onion finely chopped

2 cloves of garlic finely chopped

2 carrots peeled & diced

1 cup of frozen peas

1 courgette diced

1 handful of broccoli

1 red pepper diced

1 handful of fresh coriander