Celebrated for centuries, Shrove Tuesday sees pancake pandemonium across the Emerald Isle.
A Flipping Great Day for the Irish
According to a 2017 survey conducted by Irish sugar producers, Siúcra, Irish people consume more than 12 million pancakes on Shrove Tuesday each year. This day is a cherished tradition. Marking the final indulgence before the 40 days and nights of Lenten austerity. This begins with Ash Wednesday. Shrove Tuesday offers a last opportunity to enjoy rich foods before the fasting period of Lent. Making it a beloved event across Ireland.
The tradition of making pancakes before Lent has deep roots in the early Middle Ages. It arose from the practical need to use up household staples like eggs, milk, and butter, which were forbidden during the Lenten season. The term “Shrove” is linked to this tradition, derived from the old English word “Shrive,” which means to absolve or forgive sins. It was a time when people sought absolution before entering the solemnity of Lent.
But Shrove Tuesday wasn’t just about indulgence; it also had a romantic twist, especially for young women. In many households, the honor of tossing the first pancake was given to the eldest unmarried daughter. This was more than a simple kitchen task—it marked a moment of fate. A perfect flip ensured she would be fortunate and supposedly have her “pick of the boys” for the year ahead. However, if the pancake fell to the floor or was in any way spoiled, people believed she would remain unmarried for at least a year.
A Quick & Simple Pancake Recipe
Ingredients:
- 125g/4oz Odlums Cream Plain Flour
- Pinch of Salt
- 1 Egg
- 300ml/½pt Milk
- Oil for frying
Method:
- Sieve the flour and salt into a bowl.
- Make a well in the center of the flour, add the egg, and pour in a third of the milk.
- Mix well, gradually pouring in the rest of the milk, and draw in the flour to create a smooth batter.
- Pour the batter into a jug and let it stand for half an hour.
- Heat oil in a frying pan until it’s hot. Stir the batter and pour a thin layer onto the pan.
- Fry until the pancake is golden brown, then flip and fry the other side until brown.
- Stack the cooked pancakes on a large plate.
Serve the pancakes with a topping of your choice. Our favorite is a classic combination of lemon and sugar!
Enjoy the Perfect Hot Brew With Your Pancakes!
Header Image: By Michael Stern (Wall_Food_10060) [CC BY-SA 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
