ENJOYING SHROVE TUESDAY!
Today, February 17th is Shrove Tuesday. The date can be anytime between February 3rd & March 9th. It is exactly 47 days before Easter Sunday, based on the cycles of the moon.
For centuries, the consumption of pancakes has widely been regarded as a popular way to celebrate Shrove Tuesday, which takes place the day before Ash Wednesday in preparation for Lent. However, the day is celebrated in a variety of ways around the world with many different foods.
The final day before Lent has many meanings, both spiritual and practical. The spiritual purpose of Shrove Tuesday is to take stock of the year and determine what things one must bear in mind during repentance.
Practically speaking, Shrove Tuesday is the last day before the great ‘fast’ of Lent. As a result, many would take it as an opportunity to have a final feast and party. Because this holiday marked the last day to use up one’s stocks of fats and eggs, a British tradition was born –Pancake Tuesday. Pancakes make use of ingredients that were banned during Lent and would spoil before its end.
Although many traditions of the past have gone by the wayside, whether you know its history or not, Pancake Tuesday seems to still be a ‘thing’.
I’m sure you are probably quite familiar with the Dutch Baby or German pancake. I have featured them on the blog numerous times over the years.
A cross between a pancake and a crepe, a Dutch baby begins with the thin pancake-like batter which is poured into a hot skillet or an oven proof dish. When the edges of the pancake are brown, it is ready to come out of the oven. The center is perfect for adding sweet or savory ingredients.
Brion & I eat pancakes regularly and enjoy them whether they are sweet or savory versions. As always, I can’t resist a different combination, so today we are having some baked pancakes with pears & cardamom. Yum!
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- 4 Tbsp butter, divided
- 3/4 cup flour
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 4 eggs
- 1 cup milk
- 1 tsp pure vanilla
- 2 medium pears, ripe but firm, cut out core & slice about 1/4-inch thick
- 1 tsp cardamom
- 3 Tbsp lemon juice
- 1/4 cup sugar
- powdered sugar for dusting (optional)
Ingredients
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- Melt 2 Tbsp. butter in a 10" cast iron (or other oven proof) skillet. Toss in sliced pears, cardamom, lemon juice & sugar. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the pears are tender & the sugars are beginning to caramelize, anywhere from 10-20 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 400 F.
- Combine flour & salt in a large bowl, make a well & add eggs. Whisk to combine, adding the milk a little at a time until batter is smooth. Whisk in vanilla & 2 Tbsp melted butter.
- Pour the batter into the hot pan over the pears & place it in the oven.
- Bake until golden & dramatically puffed, about 30 minutes.
- Dust with powdered sugar & cut into wedges. Serve immediately.
This baked pancake is good reheated or eaten cold should there be any leftovers.
Brion & I really enjoyed this pear pancake with some sausage & eggs on the side for a nice sweet/savory meal.