Next Tuesday, 24February, is Shrove Tuesday, better known to most of us as 'pancake day'. The following day is Ash Wednesday, significant for being the first day of Lent, a Christian festival leading up to Easter Sunday. Shrove Tuesday always falls 47 days before Easter Sunday. Lent is supposed to signal a period of fasting when food such as eggs, fat and butter are forbidden. It was traditional to use up these ingredients before the fasting period began, and pancakes were an obvious indulgence before the sacrifice. The name Shrove Tuesday comes from the old word 'shrive' which means to confess. In the Middle Ages people used to confess their sins, to cleanse themselves, as it were, before Lent began. Other traditions surrounding Shrove Tuesday include 'pancake races', with those taking part racing to the finishing line tossing their pancakes as they go. The most famous pancake race in England is held at Olney in Buckinghamshire, and has been going since 1445. Legend has it that it all started when a housewife from Olney was making pancakes and forgot the time, until she heard the church bells ringing for the service. She raced out of the house still carrying her frying pan and pancake. Every Shrove Tuesday the pancake 'greaze' is held at Westminster School, London. A pancake, reinforced with horse hair, is tossed into the air and the boys try to get as much of it as they can. Many towns in England used to hold a traditional 'mob football match', a ritual that started in the 12th century. A number of towns still carry on the tradition today including Alnwick (Northumberland), Ashbourne (Derbyshire), Atherstone (Warwickshire), Sedgefield (Durham), and St Column Major (Cornwall).
Pancake Batter Recipe
1 large egg or 1 egg and one yolk
1/2 pint/280ml milk
4oz/110g plain flour (4 heaped dessertspoons)
1 tbsp melted butter
By Hand - sift the flour into a bowl and make a well in the middle. Break in the egg (and yolk, if using) and add a pinch of salt and a splash of the milk. Whisk the egg gradually incorporating the flour, to make a smooth cream. Whisk in the rest of the milk and the melted butter.
With A Blender - put all the ingredients in a blender jug with a pinch of salt. Whizz until smooth.
Pancake Batter Recipe
1 large egg or 1 egg and one yolk
1/2 pint/280ml milk
4oz/110g plain flour (4 heaped dessertspoons)
1 tbsp melted butter
By Hand - sift the flour into a bowl and make a well in the middle. Break in the egg (and yolk, if using) and add a pinch of salt and a splash of the milk. Whisk the egg gradually incorporating the flour, to make a smooth cream. Whisk in the rest of the milk and the melted butter.
With A Blender - put all the ingredients in a blender jug with a pinch of salt. Whizz until smooth.
