Shrove Tuesday Pancakes

Our class made pancakes for Shrove Tuesday this morning.  Shrove Tuesday is held on the day before Lent begins.  Shrove means being forgiven for wrong-doings.  Another name for Shrove Tuesday is Pancake Day.  Long ago this was a day for feasting and having a good time.  People went to church to confess the bad things they had done and would be 'shriven' or forgiven before the start of Lent.  As rich foods such as eggs were forbidden during Lent, one way of using them up would be to make pancakes. In France and the United States, Pancake Day is called Mardi Gras which means 'Fat' or 'Grease Tuesday'.

Here is the recipe in case anyone wants to make them at home . . .

Ingredients
1 1/2 cups Flour
3 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 Tablespoon white sugar
1 1/4 cups milk
1 egg
3 Tablespoons butter, melted

In a large bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, salt and sugar.  Make a well in the centre and pour in the milk, egg and melted butter.  Mix well until smooth.

Heat a lightly oiled frying pan over medium high heat.  Pour or scoop the batter onto the frying pan. Brown on both sides and serve hot.