Classic English Pancakes

As we said in our feature article on Lent and Valentines Day, pancakes are traditionally served on Shrove Tuesday, which is always 47 days before Easter Sunday, and is the final day before the commencement of Lent.

As Lent is, for Christians, a time of abstinence of some kind - of giving things up - pancakes are the perfect food for the day before, using as they do eggs, fat and flour - foods that were seen as luxurious and that were forbidden for strict Lent observers.

Here is a basic pancake recipe.

Ingredients

(Serves 4)

100g plain flour
1 egg, beaten
150ml milk

Method

* Beat all the ingredients until the batter is smooth.

* Heat the oil in a frying pan and then add 3 tablespoons of batter.

* Tilt the pan to allow the batter to cover the base. Cook for about 1 minute each side.

* Put on a plate in a warm oven to keep from going cold.

Time From Cupboard-To-Table

10 minutes

Notes & Variations

As well as traditional serving suggestions like caster sugar and lemon, or cinnamon sugar, or maple syrup, how about serving your pancakes with lightly sauteed slices of apple, mashed bananas (sea freighted, fair trade of course!) warm, spiced rhubarb compote, or (in honour of Valentines Day) some of our "Love Struck" Pear Ice-cream?

How do you like yours?