What did one pancake say to the other pancake?
See you on the flip side.

What is pancake and where does the word originate from?

Well, it is a cake made of batter, fried in a pan – simple as that!

What is Pancake Day all about?

Also known as Shrove Tuesday [the day before Ash Wednesday] – it is the first day of Lent.

Pancakes are associated with the day preceding Lent because they were a way to use up rich foodstuffs – or fatty foods -  such as eggs, milk, and sugar, before the fasting season of the 40 days of Lent.

If you are watching your weight and trying to eat healthily, what is the best pancake recipe?  Traditional pancakes are delicious but not such a good choice and what are you going to put on top?  Jam or chocolate spread or maple syrup?

For a healthy variation to the traditional wheat flour pancakes, I like this one the best:

The most important thing is the temperature of the frying pan and the preparation of the batter. The perfect temperature of the frying pan is when oil starts lightly smoking. This is the time to pour the mixture in.

Low Fat Pancake Recipe [sourced from weightlossresources.co.uk]

 Ingredients

2 medium Eggs plus 4 ozs/112g Plain Flour
7fl oz/210 ml Semi Skimmed Milk
3fl oz/90 ml Water
20 sprays low cal Olive Oil Spray

Method

1. Combine the milk and water. Sift the flour into a bowl.
2. Make a well in the middle and break the eggs into it.
3. Begin whisking the eggs incorporating flour as you do so. Gradually add the milk and water mixture, still whisking, until all the liquid has been added and you have formed a smooth batter.
4. Heat a frying pan over a high heat until hot.
5. Whilst pan is heating, measure 2 tbsps of batter into a ladle ready for making your first pancake.
   [When pan is hot, reduce heat to medium].
6. When pan is hot, reduce heat to medium. Spray pan with 2 sprays of oil per pancake.  Add the ladle of batter to centre of pan – tip from side to side to evenly coat the bottom. Check when edges become loose (about 20 seconds) and the batter has solidified, then with a spatula, turn the pancake over.
7. Cook the second side for few seconds.
8. Remove from pan onto a plate and keep warm* whilst you make remaining pancakes.

*(Layer pancakes onto a plate with greaseproof paper between)

What about the filling?  How about cinnamon with softened apples or some raspberries with a scoop of icecream or half fat crème fraiche? Lemon juice is a popular one or perhaps some melted dark chocolate!

Finally – here is a fun video on how to make pancakes, enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PnCVZozHTG8&feature=relmfu

This blog was sent in by Ros from WeightExpectations.