It’s Pancake Day (Shrove Tuesday) on 01 March 2022
What does it mean?
Shrove Tuesday precedes Ash Wednesday that marks the start of Lent, the Christian season supposed to replicate the Biblical story of Jesus Christ’s withdrawal into the desert for 40 days.
This is why Lent is traditionally a period of abstinence, with many non-Christians still getting into the spirit of the season by giving up a particular treat.
Why do we have pancakes on Shrove Tuesday?
Lent, particularly when it was adhered to more widely and strictly, marked a time to eat simpler food, and give up things like sweet, rich and dairy ingredients.
The day before the season started was therefore the ideal time to make pancakes as a means to use up leftover eggs, milk and sugar.
Here are some delicious Pancake Day recipes to try:
Original pancake recipe:
Ingredients (makes 8):
- 1.5 cups of plain flour
- 3.5 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon of salt (or to taste)
- 1 tablespoon of sugar
- 1.5 cups of milk
- 1 egg
- 3 tablespoons of butter, melted
Method:
1. In a large bowl, mix all the dry ingredients together. Make a well and pour in the milk, butter and eggs. Mix until it’s smooth.
2. Heat up a frying pan and scoop the batter into the griddle. Use approx. 1/4 cup for each pancake. Make sure that each side is brown. Serve hot with your favourite toppings.
Vegan pancake with grilled mango
Ingredients (serves 1-2)
For the pancake mix:
- 1/2 cup/60g buckwheat
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- Small pinch of sea salt
- 1/2 cup/120ml dairy free milk
- 1 1/2 tbsp agave nectar
- Vegetable oil, for frying
For the grilled mango:
- 1/2 fresh mango, peeled and cut into wedges
- 1 tbsp coconut oil
- 2 tbsp coconut sugar
For the garnish:
Toasted flaked almonds
Almond yoghurt
Fresh passionfruit
Mint
Method:
- Sift the flour, baking powder and salt together into a mixing bowl. To the bowl add the milk and agave nectar. Whisk until it forms a smooth pancake batter. Set the batter aside for a few minutes whilst you prepare your mango.
- Place a non-stick frying pan over a low heat and carefully rub in a touch of oil using a piece of kitchen paper. Ladle the batter into your pan, then using the back of the ladle quickly smooth it out into a circular shape.
- Allow the pancake to cook for around 3-4 minutes on each side or until golden, before removing from the pan. Then make the rest of your pancakes.
- Meanwhile, preheat a griddle pan over a high heat. Add the coconut oil, and then once hot add the mango wedges. Grill the mango until lightly charred and dust with the coconut sugar
- Serve the pancakes with the mango on top, along with toasted almonds, fresh passion fruit, mint & a spoonful of almond yoghurt.
This recipe is by Gaz Oakley (Source)
Buttermilk pancake
Ingredients (serves 2)
- 135g plain flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- 2 tbsp caster sugar
- 50ml buttermilk
- 130ml milk
- 1 large egg, lightly beaten
- 2 tbsp melted butter
- 50g blue berries
- 50g raspberries
- 40g sliced bananas
Method:
- First, sift the flour, baking powder, salt and caster sugar into a large bowl. In a separate bowl or jug, lightly whisk together the milk, butter milk and egg, then the melted butter.
- Pour the milk mixture into the flour mixture and, using a fork, beat until you have a smooth batter. Leave to stand for a few minutes.
- Heat a non-stick frying pan over a medium heat and some butter. When melted, add one or two ladles of batter (it must be thick).
- Once it has bubbled and started to cook, flip it over, so both sides are golden brown.
- Serve with maple syrup, butter or clotted cream and top with the blueberries, raspberries & bananas, if desired.
This recipe is by Aubaine (Source)
Other pancake recipe variations
Do you fancy a savoury pancake? BBC Good Food has ten delicious recipes to choose from. Get the recipes here.
Are you vegan? Why not try out this Vegan American pancakes recipe.
Looking for healthy pancake recipes. Try these ones.
I hope that you enjoy flipping the pancakes and eating them. Please share your delicious recipes with us.
Happy Pancake Day!
Author: Mukesh Malhotra