Shrove Tuesday

Since this observance is made all over the world, here are some variations you might want to try.

Cooking: Fry the pancakes in a lightly oiled non-stick pan. When bubbles appear (after about 1-1½ minutes) flip or turn the pancake. Stack them up and keep them warm while you cook the rest.

American Pancakes

Ingredients:
6oz self raising flour
4oz caster sugar
1 tbsp baking powder
2 eggs
9fl oz milk
butter, for frying
Serve with: bacon, cooked until crisp and maple syrup

Russian Salmon Blini

For the blinis:

2¾oz plain flour
1 tsp baking powder
2 medium eggs
full fat milk
pinch salt
1oz unsalted butter
For the salmon topping:
5¼oz salmon fillet, skinned and very finely chopped
1 tsp olive oil
2 spring onions, finely chopped
salt and freshly ground black pepper
yogurt, for serving
paprika, for serving

Crepe Suzette

For the crêpes suzette:
1 medium orange, grated zest only and 1 tbsp sugar mixed into any standard pancake batter

For the sauce:
5fl oz orange juice (from 3-4 medium oranges)
1 medium orange, grated zest only
1 small lemon, grated rind and juice
1 tbsp sugar
3 tbsp Grand Marnier, Cointreau or brandy
2oz unsalted butter
a little extra Grand Marnier, for flaming

English Banana-Toffee Pancakes

For the Batter:
8oz plain flour
2 medium eggs
up to 17fl oz milk
For the Filling:
9oz good quality butter toffee (broken up if in a block)
3 tbsp milk
6-8 (one per person) ripe bananas, sliced
(Cooking variation: liquify toffee in double boiler and serve over bananas and pancakes)

Here's wishing a painless Lent to everyone who observes.