Shrove Tuesday, or Pancake Day as it is often called, falls on Tuesday 16th February 2021. Shrove Tuesday is 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. On Shrove Tuesday, Anglo-Saxon Christians went to confession and were “shriven” (absolved from their sins).
For many of us who don’t observe Lent, it is an opportunity to make pancakes and enjoy these lovely treats.
Pancakes can be turned into a sweet or savoury meal and can be big and fluffy or thin, like a crepe.
In this blog we will take a closer look at how to serve up the perfect pancakes on Pancake Day.
Making your own pancakes
If you want to start from scratch and make pancake batter then this recipe will do the trick. Follow these simple instructions to make six amazing pancakes.
Ingredients
- 100g plain flour
- 2 large eggs
- 300ml milk
- 1 tbsp sunflower or vegetable oil, plus a little extra for frying
- lemon wedges to serve (optional)
- caster sugar or maple syrup to serve (optional)
Method
- STEP 1 Put 100g plain flour, 2 large eggs, 300ml milk, 1 tbsp sunflower or vegetable oil and a pinch of salt into a bowl or large jug, then whisk to a smooth batter.
- STEP 2 Set aside for 30 mins to rest if you have time, or start cooking straight away.
- STEP 3 Set a medium frying pan or crêpe pan over a medium heat and carefully wipe it with some oiled kitchen paper.
- STEP 4 When hot, cook your pancakes for 1 min on each side until golden. Make sure you practice your pancake tossing skills to impress your audience.
Buy a pancake batter mix
What could be easier than buying a pancake batter mix and following the simple instructions. The batter mixes cost about £1 and you simply add water and shake. Once shaken, add the mixture to a hot pan and your pancakes will be shooting off your pancake conveyor belt. The batter mix is great if you are short on time or don’t have all the separate pancake ingredients. The batter mix can be found in most supermarkets.
Shop bought pancakes
There are times when shop bought pancakes can save the day. These fluffy pancakes, often known as scotch pancakes, can be bought in packs of around five. They are cheap at about £1 and all you need to do is heat them up. Many of the supermarkets offer them in flavours such as lemon and maple. If you are feeling adventurous the why not go for white chocolate chip.
Best pancake toppings
Sweet or savoury? That is the question you have to ask. The most popular topping for pancakes is maple syrup but you can always experiment. In America they love pancakes for breakfast, served with syrup, butter and bacon.
Other popular choices include chocolate spread with banana and chopped nuts. Maybe you prefer ice cream and toffee sauce, or whipped cream and chocolate chips. If you prefer a crepe style pancake then add a squirt of lemon juice and a sprinkle of sugar. Here are two slightly different ideas to try;
Indulge with twenty layers of light, moist pancakes sandwiched with gorgeous vanilla custard, topped with fresh whipped cream and sweet raspberry sauce. This flipping marvellous pancake tower is a real show-stopper that’s sure to impress friends and family!
Vegan coconut pancakes with caramelised bananas
Thick fluffy pancakes make a great weekend breakfast, and this vegan coconut pancakes recipe is no exception. Served with sticky, sweet caramelised bananas and cool coconut yogurt, these should be the star of your next brunch for family and friends.
If you have a savoury taste then try ham and cheese, hoisin duck or salmon and spinach. The possibilities are endless, as pancakes go with nearly everything. Why not try these recipes;
Serve the Peking duck with some warmed mango chutney for a fruity twist. For a more traditional accompaniment, make the duck sauce. There is a type of duck called a Pekin that is bred to have less fat, making it perfect for this recipe as the skin crisps up easily.
Spinach pancakes with smoked salmon
This link will take you to a vibrant recipe with soured cream, smoked salmon and dill. These easy spinach pancakes make for a lazy weekend brunch recipe.
The perfect camping breakfast
Pancakes aren’t just for Pancake Day, they are ideal when camping and caravanning. The batter mixes are easy to transport and with a bit of water you are ready to cook. They cook really well on a Cadac, Weber, or Cobb and make a brilliant breakfast. You can use your Colapz 7-in-1 utensil to tuck in to your stack of hot syrupy pancakes!
That should have given you some inspiration for Pancake Day, enjoy your pancakes and happy flipping!
