Shrove Tuesday always falls 47 days before Easter Sunday. Pancake Day is often another name.
The day proceeds Ash Wednesday as the start of when we Christians celebrate Lent.
The name Shrove Tuesday comes from ‘shrive’, meaning cleansed (forgiven) from sins.
In some parts Shrove Tuesday is referred to as Mardi Gras aka ‘Fat Tuesday’ in French – mainly because we use up the fatty foods before Lent.
Pancake Day itself came much later as a way of using up rich foods. The idea was for families to clear out their cupboards and remove the fattening foods like eggs, milk and sugar which weren’t traditionally eaten in fasting season, so needed to be scoffed down beforehand.
There are numerous ways to make pancakes – after all, the day originates from using up what is left in your cupboard.
While you may be fan of thick style pancakes, or thin crepes, this traditional pancake recipe is bound to win you over – and it’s super easy too.
You will need:
- 125g of plain flour
- 2 eggs, medium sized
- 300ml of milk
- Pinch of salt
Method
- Beat the eggs together with a fork
- Pour the flour into a bowl and make a well in the middle
- Pour the eggs into the well and whisk together
- Gradually, add in the milk
- Put the mixture in the fridge for at least 30 minutes
- Rub oil around a non-stick pan
- Ladle out your mixture – one ladle equals one pancake
- After a couple of minutes, give your pancake a jiggle and when it no longer sticks give it a flip to do the other side
ENJOY!