THE PANCAKE TUESDAY

''Shrove Tuesday, the annual pancake feast, takes place on February 12th.  This night before the start of the Lenten fast, commonly known as "pancake night," 

For us, it starts in the morning:)

In Ireland generally, large, thick pancakes are simply sprinkled with lemon juice and sugar, rolled into a cigar shape and eaten as a sweet. In Canada butter and maple syrup...yamm...

''The survival of this old custom is interesting, since the rigorous Lenten fast is not as widely observed as it once was, though a fair number of people still abstain from alcohol, cigarettes and candy for Lent. Shrove Tuesday, however, is as popular as ever. The ritual is linked to the great European carnival tradition of Mardi Gras ("Fat Tuesday") when people ate as much fat and meat as possible, knowing that these were forbidden for the next forty days. From the early Middle Ages, the Catholic Church forbade the consumption of meat, eggs and dairy produce during Lent. On Shrove Tuesday, thrifty housewives made use of the perishable eggs, milk and butter in the preparation of pancakes.

One social aspect of the night, however, has fallen into disuse - the link between Shrove Tuesday and the romantic fortunes of the unmarried. Traditionally in Ireland, marriage was forbidden to take place during Lent, so in the weeks before Christmas and "Shrovetide," as it's sometimes called, matchmakers busily tried to find suitable candidates for marriage before Ash Wednesday arrived. Households left with unmarried daughters on Shrove Tuesday tried to imbue them with better luck for the coming year by allowing them to toss the first cake. Their pancake-making skills, for better or worse, were seen as an indication of their romantic chances for the next year.''

source:http://www.ireland-fun-facts.com

Let us share with you the Hungarian pancakes:)

*Most favourable the Cottage cheese pancake:

*You can fill them with cacao, cinnamon, jam:

*The most ugly(colourless) and 'poor' but popular pancakes are made in Hungary summer time in the water-parks and at the lakes like the Lake of Balaton. Our Mum always said:- It is not good, it does not have eggs and milk. I will make better at home.

She did not understand how tasty could be this viscous, lack-of-ingredients one, after a couple of hours pool-time and sunbathing session. 

Sorry, no pics it has to be your own experience:)

*A little more work but the result is worth it well:) the Layered pancake: 'Csusztatott-Palacsinta',with walnut feeling and chocolate on the top... only problem, you slice it like a cake, so goes  very quick:) 

 And last but not least the famous Gundel pancake...you have to put on fire..I mean light it with a lighter as you serve. The important ingredient is the rum:)

Enjoy the heaven of pancakes today!

A.