Pancake Day!
Today is Shrove Tuesday, Mardi Gras, or as most of us say, Pancake Day! It was always a big day when I was a kid growing up in a tiny town in the middle of America. The local Lions Club usually had a big Pancake Day Dinner to raise money for charity and everyone would show up. It was one of the biggest social events of the year.
As I said, it was a VERY small town and a long time ago. Now, living in Britain, I find that Pancake Day is still a big deal. Most people continue to honour the tradition of making pancakes. Instead of the the fat, fluffy version we have in the States, crepes seem to be the pancake of choice. There are lots of topping options but most people simply squeeze over a few drops of lemon juice and sprinkle them with sugar before eating them.
Americans may think flapjacks (not even the same thing in the UK) are our invention but I am sure we nicked the idea from the Scottish immigrants. There are loads of old recipes for drop scones and Scotch Pancakes that look exactly like our maple syrup soaked griddle cakes.
That's the great thing about food, it is a historical link to our homelands and ancient traditions which we share with people all over the world...without even knowing it. The American Diner is the new big thing here in Britain. They are popping up like mushrooms all over the place. I must say I am tempted to visit one and order a 'Short Stack' just to see what they bring out.
AMERICAN DINER LINGO:
Short Stack = Two Pancakes
Stack of Cakes = Three Pancakes
As I said, it was a VERY small town and a long time ago. Now, living in Britain, I find that Pancake Day is still a big deal. Most people continue to honour the tradition of making pancakes. Instead of the the fat, fluffy version we have in the States, crepes seem to be the pancake of choice. There are lots of topping options but most people simply squeeze over a few drops of lemon juice and sprinkle them with sugar before eating them.
Americans may think flapjacks (not even the same thing in the UK) are our invention but I am sure we nicked the idea from the Scottish immigrants. There are loads of old recipes for drop scones and Scotch Pancakes that look exactly like our maple syrup soaked griddle cakes.
That's the great thing about food, it is a historical link to our homelands and ancient traditions which we share with people all over the world...without even knowing it. The American Diner is the new big thing here in Britain. They are popping up like mushrooms all over the place. I must say I am tempted to visit one and order a 'Short Stack' just to see what they bring out.
AMERICAN DINER LINGO:
Short Stack = Two Pancakes
Stack of Cakes = Three Pancakes
Are all those for you Deb x
ReplyDeleteOnly two for me! ; )x
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