If ever there was a day to eat pancakes, it’s TODAY!

WHY?

Because it’s official Pancake Day today … Tuesday 9th February 2016! In case you’ve never heard of it before it’s also known as Shrove Tuesday! It’s always the day before the first day of Lent, a Christian observance which begins on Ash Wednesday {which happens to be tomorrow} … and the actual date each year depends on the timing of Easter.

Since many people voluntarily give up something during Lent {Ash Wednesday until Easter Sunday} a 40-day stretch of time associated with “fasting” and avoiding the rich fatty foods, it just happens that many of us choose to refrain from “naughty unhealthy foods” … you know, the sugary sweet, fattening stuff and other over-indulgences, or bad habits that might not be in our best interest from a health standpoint!

Shrove Tuesday {known as Fat Tuesday in France} permits an overindulgence feast on the day and throws the “health” aspect out the window for 24 hours, giving permission to eat up all the sugary, floury, creamy, sweet things so as to clear them out of our pantries and refrigerators and prepare ourselves for the “fasting” of Lent tomorrow.

So what does all that have to do with pancakes? LOL!

It all seemingly started because pancakes are an easy way to use up sugar, flour, eggs, cream and other rich, fatty, sweet edibles. Who knows how long ago it all started. Some say Shrove Tuesday was more of a pagan ritual before it was associated with Lent.

All that be as it may, today is pancake Tuesday! Try one of mine! Scroll down for recipe.

Personally I think Pancake Tuesday is celebrated more in Britain and Europe than over here in the U.S. … in fact when my Dad and I had our daily chat today, he reminded me that HE had pancakes for dessert today 🙂

My mother ALWAYS provided us with pancakes on Shrove Tuesday when I was growing up in England. I managed to carry that tradition forward while the kids were at home, but somewhere along the way after they all grew up and left home, I forgot about Shrove Tuesday and the pancake tradition.

Mum’s pancakes were the thinner crepes variety and were very yummy. They were large and papery thin and we squeezed the juice from fresh oranges on them, sprinkled sugar all over them, rolled them up and devoured them! A pretty healthy version if you think about it!

I’m bringing back the tradition of Pancake Tuesday in our home! I think it’s pretty cool! So to celebrate I’m sharing one of my favorite recipes for pancakes – NO they’re NOT out of a box, they’re my own-from-scratch-creation! Not the healthiest of my recipes, but today’s not about that! These rascals are not the heavier, dense variety that I also make …. but these are by far the lightest, fluffiest ones that will ever melt in your mouth!

Enjoy them anytime you feel like eating a pancake! They’re even great later, cold and spread with butter {must be REAL organic butter!} and topped with home-made blackcurrant jam ~ just like my hubby loves!

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Anthea’s Light Buttery Pancakes
2 eggs slightly beaten
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup milk
2 tablespoons white vinegar
1 Tablespoon fresh-squeezed lemon juice
2 tablespoons butter
2 cups sifted all-purpose organic flour
2 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt

Combine milk and cream, stir in vinegar and lemon juice {makes a rich home-made “buttermilk”} and set aside to mature. Next, sift together the flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder and salt and set aside. Meanwhile melt the 2 T butter in a small container in microwave, set aside. Heat your griddle to 375’.

Lightly beat the 2 eggs and whisk in the milk, cream combination. Drizzle in the melted butter while continuing to whisk. Pour this liquid into the flour mixture and gently stir with a wooden spoon until barely mixed. Don’t beat or over mix or they’ll be tough! Consistency of batter may be thick, light and slightly lumpy. That’s all good.

Lightly butter the griddle and pour 1/3 cup of batter for each pancake onto griddle. Cook until bubbles barely form, then gently flip over. Pancakes will be light golden brown and very fluffy! Serve immediately with your favorite accompaniments.

Makes 10-12 pancakes

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Just so you know, pancakes and crepes don’t ALWAYS have to be sweet nor do they HAVE to be served with syrup or jam. You can serve with just about anything you choose and of course they’re healthy with sliced fruit, or add blueberries to the pancake mix, but if you’re going to add a fat, you MUST use real organic creamery BUTTER on top. NO fake butter or margarine allowed on my pancakes.

And the thinner variety crepes {recipe not included here} lend themselves really well to encasing savory fillings such as mushrooms and chicken, or ham and veggies.

So it’s your choice! Savory or sweet! And eat pancakes whenever the spirit moves you, but for goodness sake DO EAT PANCAKES ON SHROVE TUESDAY!