Pancake Day is very well ‘observed’ by many in the Western world and has become a popular day, but few people may realise that it has roots in Christianity.
Shrove Tuesday is now more commonly known as Pancake day – the day before Lent starts on Ash Wednesday. Lent is the period of time 40 days before the Christian festival of Easter, and gives Christians that chance to reflect and replicate Jesus Christ’s sacrifice of withdrawing to the desert. During Lent Christians remember the events leading up to Jesus’ crucifixion, marked by Good Friday.
Traditionally, Shrove Tuesday was the last day to feast before people fasted over Lent. It was seen as the last chance to indulge oneself and use up foods that weren’t allowed during Lent (sugar, eggs, and dairy). It is thought that pancakes became associated with Shrove Tuesday because they were an ideal way to use up the leftovers before Lent.
Pancake Day is now celebrated and loved by many even with the emergence of pancake races. Time Out have a list of pancake-related events happening in London here.
This is a very simple recipe to make pancakes.
Basic Pancakes
Makes 12-14 small pancakes
Ingredients
4oz/110g plain flour, sifted
Pinch of sat
2 eggs
10fl oz./275ml milk
Oil for greasing the pan.
Method
Sieve the flour and salt into a large mixing bowl. Make a well in the centre of the flour and break the eggs into it, then whisk in the eggs.
Gradually add small amounts of milk, whisking as you go. (any lumps will disappear as you continue to whisk). You want the mixture to be the consistency of thin cream.
Add some oil to a frying pan and heat until almost smoking. Now turn the pan down to a medium heat. Spoon about 2 tbsp. of the batter into the pan using a ladle if you have one. Tip the pan from side to side so that the batter covers the pan. Fry for a couple of minutes on each side until golden. (Flip the pancake with a pan slice if you’re not feeling confident enough to slip it in the air!)
When the pancake is done, side it on to a plate and top with anything you like – get creative!
My favourite toppings include;
- Lemon and sugar
- Golden syrup
- Maple syrup
- Lemon, sugar and Cointreau (a favourite of my grandad’s which I didn’t appreciate until recently!)
- Nutella and banana
- Peanut butter and banana
I hope you have a delicious pancake day! Use #thesimplenutritionblog on your pancake pics so I can see all your wonderful creations.
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