Shrove Tuesday or Mardi Gras is the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday. At one time, people did not eat eggs or fat during Lent. These foods had to be used up before Lent began, so they would not spoil. One traditional way of using the eggs and fat was to have pancakes for dinner the night before Ash Wednesday.
Pancakes come in many varieties. You may have a favorite recipe already. If not, here are a couple of varieties you might want to try. Set a pretty table. Fix some fruit salad or other favorite dishes to go with your pancakes, and have a special. festive dinner. Rejoice and celebrate the love of our God who invites us to grow in love in the coming season!
Pancakes with Lemon and Sugar or Honey
1 cup flour (white or whole wheat)
4 eggs
2 cups milk
A little butter and salt.
Put the flour into a bowl. Make a hollow in the middle of the flour and gradually whisk or beat in the milk and eggs. Once all of the flour and liquids have been combined, add the butter and salt. Let sit for about 1/2 hour.
Use a little oil in a frying pan, coating the bottom. Put a thin layer of batter into the pan and spread it over the bottom. Brown lightly, then turn and brown the other side.
Pancakes may be served directly out of the pan or stacked, kept warm in the oven, and served later.
Drizzle a lemon juice and sugar mixture, or honey over the top to sweeten the pancakes.
This receipe will make a very thin batter, similar to that for crepes.
Spiced Pancakes
1 1/4 cup flour (either white or whole wheat)
3 teaspoons baking powder
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
a couple of dashes of nutmeg
a dash of cloves
1 egg
1 cup milk
2 tablespoons oil
Sift dry ingredients together. Combine milk, egg, and oil. Add liquid ingredients to the dry ones, stirring until moistened. (Slightly lumpy batter is OK.)
Bake on a hot griddle. For thinner pancakes, add 1-2 more tablespoons of milk to the batter.
Berries or fruit may be added to the pancakes as they are cooking. Applesauce or pureed pumpking also make a nice addition to the batter.
