Most of us have heard of Mardi Gras, but unless you are part of a liturgical tradition, you may not know Mardi Gras’s twin- Shrove Tuesday.
What is Shrove Tuesday?
Shrove Tuesday, also known as “Pancake Day” is the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday. The word “shrove” means “to make merry.” This was originally a pagan holiday in which participants celebrated the arrival of spring.
During this time, the pagans would eat mountains of pancakes. The round shape of the pancake symbolized the “sun,” and they believed by consuming them, they could bring the warmth of the sun into their own bodies.
I mean, who hasn’t felt warm and fuzzy while eating a pancake?
Eventually, Shrove Tuesday became a day to use up all of the rich ingredients in the house (eggs, butter, sugar, and milk) before Ash Wednesday, and the 40 days of fasting that followed.
Everybody Loves Pancakes
My family just loves any excuse to eat pancakes for dinner. Why don’t you join us tonight? My favorite pancake recipe is below. Then, for those of us who are too tired for that nonsense, I will link to the best pancake mix you have ever tasted. Seriously, it is next level.
Happy Shrove Tuesday!
Delicate Fluffy Pancakes
(From the Betty Crocker Picture Cookbook. I am not sure of the year, but it was back when women wore pearls to vacuum the house. See picture below.)
Beat well with a rotary blender…
3 egg yolks (save the egg whites for use seperately)
Beat in…
1 2/3 cups buttermilk
1 tsp. baking soda
Sift together and beat in…
1 1/2 cups sifted Gold Medal flour (all purpose flour)
1 tbsp. sugar
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
Beat in…
3 tbsp. soft butter
Gently fold in…
3 egg whites, stiffly beaten
Best Pancake Mix Ever
Aretha Frankensteins Insanely Great Pancake Mix
(I feel like there should be a drum roll or the sound of angels singing….)
I buy mine at Publix. One important note- You have to add buttermilk and eggs to this, so be sure you read the back of the box for the list of required additional ingredients before you leave the store.
Happy Shrove Tuesday!
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