Pancake Day is flippin’ amazing! But how did it all start?
Why does the date of Pancake Day change every year?
Pancake day is determined by Easter which can fall any time between 22nd March and 27th April. The original name for Pancake Day, Shrove Tuesday, always takes place the day before Ash Wednesday which is the first day of Lent, marking the start of the 40 days leading up to Easter. This year, pancake day is on Tuesday 1st March.
Why do people celebrate Pancake Day?
As mentioned above, Shrove Tuesday is the last day before the start of Lent. Traditionally, many Christian’s fast during Lent in memory of Jesus who fasted for 40 days in the desert. It is common that those who celebrate Lent give up some food that is rich such as chocolate and cake. Pancake Day is seen as the last day to use up all of those rich ingredients in your cupboards such as sugar and butter in preparation for Lent.
What can people give up for Lent?
Traditionally, Lent was seen as a time for sacrifice and fasting. Today, people try to go without luxuries for the 40 days, giving up things such as fizzy drinks, sweets or social media. However, some people like to celebrate Lent by taking up a new activity for good, such as a daily run, litter picking to help your community or helping your parents do the dishes. This is seen as sacrificing time for the greater food, rather than something more tangible like food.
What pancakes can I make?
Okay, enough about the origins of Pancake Day. Let’s talk more about pancakes! Pancakes are such a versatile food so you can make both sweet pancakes and savoury pancakes. You can make them thick or thin, big or small, circle or shaped like Mickey Mouse – the possibilities are endless.
Which recipe should I follow?
If you’d like to make pancakes, following a recipe can guarantee an easy and yummy treat. Check the recipe before you start to see which ingredients you need. Here are some ideas of pancakes you could have a go at:
What should I put on my pancakes?
If you’re starting with savoury pancakes, cheese, ham, tuna, salmon, egg and spinach are all popular options. Take a look at a few recipes for some inspiration on the best savoury food combinations for Pancake Day! For those of you with a sweet tooth, chocolate spread, maple syrup and honey are also popular toppings for sweet pancakes. Using fruit as a topping is a great way to make your sweet pancakes healthier. Use whatever you like best whether that’s lemon, orange, banana, strawberries or blueberries – or go wild with a fruit frenzy!
Remember: Be sugar smart!
As much as pancakes are yummy, it’s easy to get over-excited and indulge in all the sweet treats. Just remember that sugar is okay in moderation, but too much sugar too often is not good for the body or health. If you want to know more about sugar, check out this blog on TheSprout about being sugar smart.
