We are excited its Pancake Tuesday next week and we love pancakes!

When is Pancake Tuesday?

Pancake Day has been celebrated by Britons for centuries.  Known also as Shrove Tuesday, its exact date, rather confusingly, changes every year, because it is determined by when Easter falls. But it is always the day preceding Ash Wednesday (the first day of Lent), and always falls in February or March. This year, you’ll need to get your pans ready for Tuesday, February 9th.

Why Do we Celebrate Pancake Tuesday?

Pancake Day, or Shrove Tuesday, is a religious festival and the traditional feast day before the start of Lent on Ash Wednesday. Lent – the 40 days leading up to Easter – was traditionally a time of fasting and Shrove Tuesday was the last opportunity to use up eggs and fats before embarking on the Lenten fast and pancakes are the perfect way of using up these ingredients.

Recipe

100g plain flour

2 eggs

300ml milk

pinch of salt

oil or fat for frying

Put the flour and a pinch of salt into a large mixing bowl and make a well in the centre. Crack the eggs into the middle, then pour in about 50ml milk . Start whisking from the centre, gradually drawing the flour into the eggs, and milk. Once all the flour is incorporated, beat until you have a smooth, thick paste. Gently pour in the rest of the milk beating all the time. Leave for at least 30mins in the fridge or can be left over night. Heat the pan over a moderate heat, then wipe it with oiled kitchen paper. Ladle some batter into the pan, tilting the pan to move the mixture around for a thin and even layer. Quickly pour any excess batter into a jug, return the pan to the heat, then leave to cook, undisturbed, for about 30 secs. Pour the excess batter from the jug back into the mixing bowl. If the pan is the right temperature, the pancake should turn golden underneath after about 30 secs and will be ready to turn.

Toppings

The list is endless

Lemon and Sugar, Golden Syrup, Maple Syrup, Jam, Ice Cream – what is your favourite?