Shrove Tuesday

It is SHROVE Tuesday, or more famously Pancake Day!!! :D

Shrove Tuesday is a day of celebration as well as penitence, because it's the last day before Lent. Lent is a time of abstinence, of giving things up. So Shrove Tuesday is the last chance to indulge yourself, and to use up the foods that aren't allowed in Lent. Pancakes are eaten on this day because they contain fat, butter and eggs which were forbidden during Lent.

It's a common tradition of my housemates, just like last year where I was flippin' pancakes in the kitchen. And yes, a few stuck to the wall, but heck, it's REALLY fun, and its probably the only thing I dare to flip (not even omelettes) and laugh about it, :P

So come on, take a break today, flip a few pancakes for dinner! You can make sweet or savoury ones, and here are a few suggestions with a basic recipe :)

You will need:

150g (5oz) self-raising flour

50g (2oz) soft brown sugar

1½ tsp ground cinnamon125ml

(4floz) soya milk or semi-skimmed milk

1 egg yolk

2 egg whites

4 medium bananas

100ml (3½ floz) maple syrup

3 tbls raisins, soaked in warm water, then drained

2 tbls icing sugar

Method:

1. Place the flour in a bowl and add the sugar, cinnamon, milk and egg yolk. Whisk until thoroughly combined. Beat the egg whites until they form soft peaks, then gently fold them into the yolk mixture.
2. Heat a small non-stick frying pan. Pour approximately 65ml (2½floz) batter at a time gently into the centre of the pan and tilt the pan to ensure even coating of the base. Cook over a moderate heat until golden brown on both sides, flipping over once during the cooking. Prepare 7 more pancakes in this way and keep warm.
3. Peel the bananas and cut into thick slices. Heat the syrup and raisins in a small pan and, when boiling rapidly, add the bananas and 2 tablespoons water. Continue cooking over a high heat until the bananas are golden and caramelised, this will take about 2-3 minutes.
4. Divide the pancakes on to 4 serving plates and dust liberally with icing sugar. Top with the caramelised bananas, and drizzle over any remaining raisin syrup to serve.

Pancakes are remarkably versatile snacks! Here are some other tasty sweet and savoury combo's that can make pancakes a delicious treat:
Sweet

Apple and cinnamon

Sugar, lemon and honey (my fave!)

Jam and whipped cream

Apricot and almonds

Chocolate and banana (oooh, my 2nd favourite!)

Savoury

Mushrooms with cheese sauce

Sweetcorn and black pepper- cooked into the pancake mix!

Ham and cheese

Spinach and bacon

Roast vegetable, olive oil and garlic

So come on, start FLIPPIN' them tonight!!!