With Pancake Day/Shrove Tuesday fast approaching it is time to start thinking about pancakes! I love pancakes all year round, from American to the more traditional.

The expression "Shrove Tuesday" comes from the word shrive, meaning "confess".  It is the day before Ash Wednesday, which symbolises the beginning of lent and people would make pancakes to use up their stocks of milk, butter and eggs which were forbidden during the abstinence of Lent.  I have to admit though, that I just like pancakes, and will be using Shrove Tuesday as the perfect excuse to make some:- lots of them in as many different varieties that I can!  When trying to find some treat recipes I stumbled across these offerings from Waitrose.

You will need:-


Method:-


For the pancake batter, put the flour in a mixing bowl, make a well and crack the eggs into it, then season. Whisk the eggs, incorporating the flour little by little. Thin the mixture with a little milk, then gradually pour in the rest of it, whisking continuously. Add the herbs. Separately, heat the butter in a small pan until golden and foaming, then add it to the batter, whisking all the time. Reserve in the fridge until needed.

For the filling, melt 20g butter in a frying pan on a high heat and throw in the spinach. Cook, stirring all the time, for 2 minutes; season. Drain and chop the spinach; reserve. On a high heat, heat the remaining butter and cook the mushrooms for 2 minutes. Season. Mix with the spinach and stir in the Gruyère. Set aside.

Preheat the oven to 200°C/gas 6. Have ready a spatula, and a tray to place the pancakes on once cooked. Heat an 18cm frying pan over a medium heat, and add 1 tsp oil. Swirl the oil around. (If the pancake batter has separated, give it a whisk.) Add just enough batter to the hot pan to cover the surface when swirled. Cook for 15–20 seconds. Slide the spatula underneath and flip the pancake over. Cook for a further 15–20 seconds. Repeat until all the batter is used up – you should have 8 thin pancakes.

Divide the filling between the pancakes, roll up tightly and place in a gratin dish. Bring the whipping cream to a rolling boil, add the nutmeg and season. Pour the cream over the pancakes and scatter the cheese over the top. Bake the pancakes for 20 minutes until golden.

Read the original recipe here



You Will Need:-

You will need:

Method:-

Sift the flour and baking powder into a bowl. Make a well in the centre, then add the egg. Gradually beat in the milk, bringing in the flour from the edges to make a thick smooth batter. Set aside.

Toss the apple cubes in the sugar and cinnamon. Melt half the butter in a small non-stick pan. Add the apple and cook for 1–2 minutes until golden.

Brush a non-stick frying pan or griddle with the remaining butter, heat over a medium flame, then place a few of the apple cubes on the pan. Drop 1 tbsp of the batter on top. Cook for 2–3 minutes until bubbles burst and the underside is golden. Turn the pancake and cook for 1 minute. Repeat with the remaining mixture while keeping the pancakes warm in a low oven. Serve with the caramel sauce and scoops of vanilla ice cream.