Shrove Tuesday (Pancake Day)
By Christopher Tait

Shrove Tuesday falls on Tuesday the 5th February 2008. Shrove Tuesday is the day before Lent. Thus the glutton and "forbidden" foods are eaten on the day before Lent. Some of these foods are Fat, Butter and Eggs which are 3 of the items used to make Pancakes. See it as a cleaning out of the larder before the fasting.

Pancakes in Britain are slightly thicker than their French counterparts - the crepe and tend to be server with a mixture of sweet and savoury fillings.

As well as a basic Pancake recipe we also have some suggestions for fillings. After trying these you may be want to be giving up anything remotely fattening for Lent!

To make around 9 Pancakes

12oz Plain Flour
3 x Eggs
1 & ½ pints milk
Pinch Salt

Mix well the Eggs, Flour and Milk until smooth
Leave to stand for at least 30 minutes
Heat a little oil in a frying pan
When hot drain off the oil (place into a cup so you can reuse for the next Pancake)
Pour in enough of the batter to give a thin covering over the bottom of the frying pan
Cook over a high heat using a palette knife to help loosen the edges
Toss the Pancake over (or flip over with the palette knife)
Cook the other side (will only take around 30 seconds)
Serve immediately or keep warm in a oven covered with buttered greaseproof paper until all have been cooked if serving together

Classic Fillings / Toppings
Golden Syrup
Sugar and Lemon
Jam
Butter
Sugar and Orange Juice
Honey
Jif Lemon

Sweet Items
Ice Cream with chopped nuts
Bananas, chopped nuts and chocolate sauce
Wrap your Pancake around a mars bar ice cream
Whipped cream and strawberries
Peanut Butter

Savoury / Something diffferent
Crispy Duck - with shredded lettuce, cucumber and plum sauce
Chilli
Bolognese Sauce
Ham, Cheese and Pineapple - or just about any pizza topping you can think of
An excellent replacement to dumplings or Yorkshire puddings so pop your stew on it!
Black pudding, caramelised apple and maple syrup