#FoodPornFriday: Pancake Day

Pancake Day 2017 is just around the corner. With only four days left until pancake aromas permeate your home, you need to make sure the maple syrup, sugar and cinnamon powder are ready.

Although many palates await the tantalising goodness of fresh pancakes, many still wonder why pancakes, of all things, get an entire day in their honour. There are probably a gazillion more important things in life, right?

Here’s why – Shrove Tuesday.

Shrove Tuesday is the day preceding Ash Wednesday. As this is determined by Easter, the actual date changes on an annual basis.

Pancake Day is also more historically known as Shrove Tuesday – this stems from the word shrive, meaning absolution for sins by doing penance. The day itself is named for the tradition of Christians to be ‘shriven’ before Lent, which begins on Ash Wednesday.

The tradition of eating pancakes on Shrove Tuesday came much later, as a way of using up foods such as eggs, milk and sugar before the 40 days of fasting or Lent. These ingredients aren’t traditionally eaten in fasting season, so they need to be indulged upon before.

Come Tuesday, February 28, how will you and your family be enjoying the marvellous invention of pancakes?

Whether it’s chocolate spread, lemon juice and sugar, maple syrup or even goat’s cheese and butternut squash, there are loads of different recipes to tickle those taste buds.

However you choose to enjoy your pancakes, here is the key to serve perfect pancakes (serves four):

• 200g plain flour
• 350-400ml milk (substitute half milk, half water for a thinner, lighter pancake)
• 2 large eggs, lightly whisked
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• A pinch of salt
• Vegetable oil for frying the pancakes