Shrove Tuesday is the day preceding Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent and determined by Easter. Historically, Shrove Tuesday was the last day you could enjoy fatty foods, before the ritual of fasting of forty days of Lent. Pancakes became a popular choice because they used up perishable ingredients such as eggs, milk and sugar.
A typical English pancake, resembles a thick crêpe. We traditionally smother them with lemon juice and sprinkle them with sugar. New topping flavors such as Lyle's golden syrup, maple syrup, jam, Nutella and even savory options have crept in but I can't resist a sugary, lemon fix.
Here is my simple English Pancake Recipe (serves 4) :
1 cup flour
1 pinch salt
1 egg
1 1/4 cups milk
1 tablespoon oil (or butter) for frying
Directions:
- Sift flour into a bowl, add salt and stir with a hand whisk.
- Add egg and slowly add milk while whisking (batter will be runnier than American pancakes).
- Refrigerate for half an hour (it can stay overnight in the fridge as long as you stir it the next day).
- Put a little oil or butter in a medium sized frying pan and warm over medium heat.
- Pour 1/4 of a cup of batter in the pan and tilt so a thin layer of batter covers the bottom of the hot frying pan.
- Flip pancakes after about 1 1/2 minutes. Family members can take turns to toss it the highest.
- EAT while hot!
St Mark's Episcopal Church in New Canaan are hosting a 'Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper' on Tuesday, February 17th from 5-7pm with pancakes and bacon! Suggested donation is $10 / person and $30 / family
Proceeds to Benefit St. Mark’s Youth Mission Fund.