Shrove Tuesday

Shrove Tuesday is the final day of celebration and is traditionally viewed as a day of repentance before the season of Lent. It is a season of cleansing full of abstention and self sacrifice

 The concept behind this practice is found in 1 Corinthians 9:27

Originating during the middle ages Shrove Tuesday would see big feast and include food items such as meat, fats, eggs, milk and fish which are restricted during Lent. The feast in the early days was to eliminate the risk of food wasting and going bad. Pancakes became a tradition as a way to use as much milk, fats and eggs as possible before Ash Wednesday.

In England Shrove Tuesday is also known as Pancake Day where pancake day races take place. Eastern Europe celebrate carnival where  people in large masks parade around and play jokes. The  day is often filled with eating, drinking, fortune telling and practical jokes. In New Orleans and Rio de Janiero will see carnival style atmosphere where goers wear flamboyant and elaborate masks and costumes Rio will host a parade of multi colored feathers with dancers dressed in costumes of feathers all dancing the samba. New Orleans will host a parade with grand floats and giant effigies of eccentric characters.  Both will see a time of drinking, dancing, practical jokes an humorous street play.

Pancake recipe and to find more great recipes check here

• 225g / 8 oz plain flour or all-purpose flour
• Pinch salt
• 2 large, fresh eggs
• 600ml / 2½ cups milk
• 2 tsp melted butter plus extra melted butter for cooking

Preparation:

Makes 12 pancakes

• Sieve the flour into a large baking bowl, add the salt. Make a well in the centre of the flour and add the eggs. Beat well until smooth and lump free.
• Add half the milk and the 2 tsp of butter, beat well. Add the remaining milk and stir.
• Leave the batter to rest for 15 minutes.
• Lightly grease a pancake pan or frying pan with a little melted butter. Heat until very hot and add a ladleful of batter so it evenly and thinly coats the base of the pan. Cook until set and lightly golden.
• Using a spatula or if you are really brave try tossing the pancake in the air,  and cook on the other side for approx 30 seconds.
• Slip the pancake from the pan onto a warm plate. Cover the plate with a tea cloth and keep warm.. Continue as above until all the batter is used up.

To Serve

On Pancake Day, pancakes are traditionally eaten sprinkled with sugar and a squeeze of lemon. However, serve as you like with jam, Golden Syrup, honey, chocolate spread; whatever takes your fancy.