Tuesday, February 05, 2008

HAPPY PANCAKE DAY!


Today we celebrate Pancake Day in England. Pancake Day or Shrove Tuesday was traditionally a day when Christians went to church to make their confessions and become “shriven” before the start of Lent. Lent begins the day after Pancake Day on Ash Wednesday. As the Lentern period up until Easter was considered a time of fasting, Shrove Tuesday was the day when people would use up all the eggs, fats and sugar in the house by making pancakes and so Pancake Day was born. It still continues to this day. Pancake races are held in some towns in England to celebrate the day. Our American neighbours in New Orleans celebrate Pancake Day in the form of “Mardi Gras” which means literally, “Fat Tuesday”. It's nice to see that they are still able to go ahead with their parades, despite the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina. We wish them well.

I like my pancakes with jam and a dash of lemon juice but however you choose to eat them, pancakes are certainly a delicious way of using up all the leftovers! Many people are opting for ready made versions due to lack of time but I never think they taste as good as home made. For recipe ideas go to:-

Pancake Recipes

My tip for really light pancakes is to add a dash of soda water or lemonade (if you like a lemon flavour) to the batter. I’ll be having my pancakes with some of the Maple Syrup I brought back from my trip to Canada a couple of years ago. Delicious! Bon Appetit!

17 comments:

Unknown said...

I like to eat my pancakes with peanut butter and Maple Syrup!

I came by way of Fuelmyblog and will leave via BLOG VILLAGE!!! Thanks for the fuel!

virtual nexus said...

Just called in to say Hi from another Brit - good to catch up on our news -
I'd forgotten it was pancake day! I think I've got a lemon in the fridge....so just going to check the recipes! Lovely blog - look forward to coming back and having a browse thru.

Marshamlow said...

We have Mardi Gras here in Mississippi, we are right next door to New Orleans, Louisiana and my house is literally only an hour away. I remember the Carnavale when we lived in Italy that was a blast too. I had never heard of Pancake day before, small world.

Sank said...

Love those pancakes, not to be confused with Oatcakes when in Stoke as I was a few years ago. Definitely an acquired taste there. We like them a few chocolate chips and banana chunks thrown in the batter.

Anonymous said...

Pancake day! That's an awesome idea. I wish I would have heard about before today, what with lent and all. I have many wonderful memories of my parents taking me to Sugar Grove Pennsylvania during "maple syrup season" for pancakes, and fresh maple syrup, hot from the vats.

Marion said...

Pancakes with lemon juice...I will have to try that. Try latkes or potato pancakes with maple syrup...that's a great combo!

Naomi said...

Sounds like a great combination Janey. I like peanut butter too but have never tried it with pancakes. Sounds delicious!

Hi Julie

Thanks for stopping by and leaving such a nice comment. I hope you enjoyed your visit here. Look forward to seeing you again soon. I will come over and visit your blog. Virtual Voyage - that's a nice title.

Naomi said...

Didn't realise you were so close to New Orleans Marsha. It's a small world. Venice Carnivale is wonderful with the masks and parades. You'll have to click on the recipe link and try some pancakes. I'm sure you and your family will love them Marsha!

Yes pancakes are delicious Sank. I've had oatcakes they're nice too but I don't personally think they're as good as pancakes. I agree they are an acquired taste. The chocolate chips and banana sounds like a great combination Sank.

Naomi said...

We love our Pancake Day here in England PD Warrior. You'll have to click on the recipe link and try some. I'm sure you and your family will love them as much as we do. I love Maple Syrup too. It's lovely. I know a lot of Americans have a tradition of eating pancakes for breakfast. Here we tend to eat them more as a desert or just save them as a special treat for Pancake Day.

Naomi said...

I've never had potato pancakes Marion but they sound delicious, especially with the Maple syrup. Over here we have the potato cakes. They are usually served with bacon and egg and taste wonderful. You are so lucky over there in Canada having that delicious Maple syrup. It really is lovely Marion!

SandyCarlson said...

I enjoyed Shrove Tuesday, too! I have never tried pancakes with lemon, but that sounds lovely. There's nothing better than a real, homemade pancake.

God bless!

Kilroy_60 said...

Pancakes is one thing that makes breakfast an any time of day meal for me.

...and potato pancakes with sour cream
...and French toast
...and sausage patties with maple syrup
...and, sorry, time for steak and eggs

By the way, you've been tagged!

Miss Trashahassee said...

Naomi,

Pancakes are good for supper, too ...

Sunday dinner ...

With a whole stick of REAL butter per person ...

Every day is pancake day around here.

Yummmmmmmmmmmmmmm!

Great post!

BFF,
Miss T

Naomi said...

I agree Sandy, ready made pancakes just don't taste the same.

Just reading your comment made me feel hungry Kilroy. Potato pancakes with sour cream - that sounds delicious. Thanks for the tag. I'll come over and have a look at that.

Yes they certainly are yummy Miss T - sounds like you an your family love your pancakes too. Lovely to see you again.

Kyle and Svet Keeton said...

Hi, Naomi!

In Russia we have a pancakes week! We call it Maslennica and that is the last week before Lent. Maslennica will start the third of March this year. :)

Thank you for interestin post and useful tip! :)))

Best wishes,
Svet and Kyle

Naomi said...

I didn't realise you had a pancake week in Russia Svet & Kyle. That's interesting and a good excuse to eat lots of delicious pancakes! Glad you enjoyed the post. If you click on the link, there are some good recipes on there too.

Naomi said...

You are most welcome!