In Italy it is Mardi Gras, for others still Pancake Day but, despite the many different names, it is always the same thing: it is the Tuesday before the beginning of Lent, the 40 days before Easter Sunday.

 

The idea behind the feast is to get rid of all the fatty foods in the house, in preparation for the gastronomic penance before Easter.

This was a way of freeing oneself from the “culinary temptations” deriving from milk, sugar, butter and eggs, such as “chiacchiere”, simple pancakes, apple or sultana pancakes, zeppole and krapfen.

A way to enjoy the last “sins of gluttony” before culinary penance.

 

Pancakes are one of the typical treats found in both the USA and the UK, and are quick and easy to make.

 

 

Ingredients for 12 pancakes

• Butter 25 gr
• 00 flour or wholemeal flour 125 g
• Medium eggs 2
• Fresh whole milk 200g
• Baking powder 6 g
• Sugar (caster or cane sugar) 15 g

 

 

Break the two eggs into a bowl, add the flour and milk and mix until well blended.

Then add the sugar and baking powder and give a final stir.

 

In an already hot frying pan, add a knob of butter, melting it all over the base of the pan.

Using a ladle, pour some of the mixture into the centre. There is no need to spread it out.

 

When bubbles begin to appear on the surface and the base is golden brown, it is time to turn it over to the other side, using a spatula, until it is cooked through.

Continue with the rest of the batter and gradually arrange the pancakes on a serving plate, stacking them one on top of the other.

Ideally, they should be served warm with maple syrup, icing sugar, jam or hazelnut cream to taste.

 

Happy Pancake Day to all!