Shrove Tuesday

[callmemadam]

About fifteen to twenty years ago keen types in Wimborne decided to revive the tradition of the pancake race around the Minster church. It's been a huge success and here you see some competitors in a previous year.

Shrove Tuesday was always known as Pancake Day in our family and I think I've probably only missed out on pancakes when I was a student. I'm surprised to see ready made ones available when they are so easy to make and amused to see bags of flour in the Co-op labelled 'ideal for pancakes'.

Lent is so early this year that I'm not ready for it. I always plan to do some Lenten reading but however I fall by the wayside I do read some George Herbert. Here's a famous example:

Love bade me welcome, yet my soul drew back
Guilty of dust and sin
But quick-eyed Love, observing me grow slack
From my first entrance in,
Drew nearer to me, sweetly questioning,
If I lack'd any thing.

A guest, I answer'd, worthy to be here:
Love said, You shall be he.
I the unkind, the ungrateful? Ah, my dear, I cannot look on thee.
Love took my hand, and smiling did reply,
Who made the eyes but I?

Truth, Lord, but I have marr'd them: let my shame
Go where it doth deserve.
And know you not, says Love, who bore the blame?
My dear, then I will serve.
You must sit down, says Love. And taste my meat
So I did sit and eat.

Comments

[huskyteer.livejournal.com]

I have trouble getting non-lumpy batter of the correct consistency, and usually end up with a half-raw, half-charred mess stuck to the pan.

[callmemadam.livejournal.com]

What a shame! I mix electrically. The trick is to use half milk, half water, so the batter isn't too heavy. It's also best to leave the mixture to rest for at least two hours in the fridge before using it. Mix the milk, oil/butter, salt and eggs together before adding the flour.

[huskyteer.livejournal.com]

I'm going out tonight anyway, and I doubt pancakes will be on the menu. Shame, as I love them and it doesn't seem right to have a pile of pancakes and nothing else for supper on any other night.

[callmemadam.livejournal.com]

Oh, why not? There's always too many, they freeze well and then you can use them for a pancake pile or rolled up round a savoury filling, with cheese sauce on top, baked in the oven.

[huskyteer.livejournal.com]

STOP THAT!

Maybe at the weekend...