Primary Times West London Feb 17

Cook up a treat for Pancake Day!
Some people like to keep it simple, with just a squeeze of lemon and a
sprinkle of sugar, whilst others prefer to indulge with lashings of toppings or a
sophisticated savoury approach. Whatever your style - grab your trusty frying
pan and get ready to flip homemade pancakes this coming Shrove Tuesday!
What and when is Shrove Tuesday?
This year, Shrove Tuesday, or Pancake Day
as it’s known in the UK, falls on Tuesday 28th
February. Shrove Tuesday is the traditional
feast day before the start of Lent on Ash
Wednesday. Lent - the 40 days leading up to
Easter - is marked by fasting, from both food
and festivities, and is a season of reflection and
preparation before the celebrations of Easter.
Shrove Tuesday gets its name from the ritual of
shriving. In shriving, a person confesses their
sins and receives absolution for them. Shrove
Tuesday is a day to clean the soul but also a
day of celebration whilst embracing the last
chance to feast before Lent.
Why do we eat pancakes on
Shrove Tuesday?
The custom of eating pancakes on Shrove
Tuesday comes from the tradition of using
up rich foods, such as eggs, milk and sugar,
on the eve of Lent. During Lent, people
eat plainer food and refrain from food and
treats associated with pleasure. The filling of
pancakes can be either sweet or savoury. To
go with the tradition of using up ingredients,
it can be the perfect opportunity to clear out
the baking cupboard, and stuff your pancakes
with the contents of those half-finished packs
of mini marshmallows, chocolate drops and
hundreds-and-thousands to create a sweet
extravaganza!
What’s the origin of Pancake Races?
Pancake races are thought to have begun in
1444 in Olney in Buckinghamshire. The story
goes, that a woman of Olney was so busy
making pancakes that she completely lost
track of the time, and on hearing the church’s
shriving bell, went running to the church in her
apron, still clutching her frying pan! The Olney
pancake race is now world famous and other
towns across the UK have followed holding
their own pancake races. Pancake races today
are often for charity with local businesses
competing against one another.
Celebrating around the world
Around the world, Shrove Tuesday is
celebrated in many different ways. In
Newfoundland and Cape Breton Island off the
coast of Canada, pancakes are made, but
instead of edible fillings, small gifts are hidden
inside. Children delight at discovering the
objects, which are intended to be divinatory.
So, for example, the child who receives a coin
will be wealthy and a nail indicates that they
will become or marry a carpenter. Remember
to warn the recipient that the pancakes aren’t
edible if you’re going to try this at home! In
many countries Shrove Tuesday is known as
‘Mardi Gras’, the French for ‘Fat Tuesday’, the
last day of ‘fat eating’ before the start of fasting
for Lent. Most of us know ‘Mardi Gras’ for its
more popular meaning as carnival day, and
will have seen the colourful street processions
and flamboyant fancy dress costumes of
the world famous Rio de Janeiro Carnival in
Brazil. Venice also celebrates carnival in style.
Leading up to Shrove Tuesday Venice
bursts into life with partying, dancing
and people dressed in elaborate
costumes and masks attending
the famous Venetian masquerade
balls in the great palaces lining
the Grand Canal in the centre of
Venice.
So banish those winter blues
with the carnival spirit this
Shrove Tuesday. Pump
up the volume of some
samba beats, get the
family together and
cook up a treat!
Easy Pancake Recipe
To make approximately 8 pancakes
you will need...
100g plain flour
2 eggs • 300ml milk
1 tbsp sunflower or vegetable oil,
plus a little extra for frying
Method
Sieve the flour and a pinch of salt into
a bowl and make a well in the centre.
Crack the eggs into the well.
Add 50ml milk and 1 tbsp oil.
Whisk gradually bringing the flour into
the eggs, milk and oil until a smooth,
thick paste. Keep adding more milk
and whisking until the mixture is the
consistency of slightly thick single cream.
Heat the pan with a little oil over a
moderate heat.
Ladle some batter into the pan, tilting
the pan to move the mixture around for
a thin and even layer.
The pancake should turn golden
underneath after about 30 secs and
will be ready to turn.
Ease a fish slice under the pancake,
then quickly lift and flip it over.
Fillings to try
A quick squeeze of lemon and
a sprinkle of sugar
Lashings of chocolate spread,
banana or a dollop of cream
For a savoury pancake, a combination of
cheese, onions, and tomatoes
works well
Create your own!
Get creative and make your own dream
pancake. Why not be brave and try
some of your favourite foods all together
in one tasty pancake!
After you’ve made your very own
original pancake make sure you give it a
personal name and don’t forget to
take a picture to share with us on
facebook and twitter.
www.primarytimes.net/west_london
Primary Times, West London • February Half Term 2017
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