Mix it up this pancake Tuesday with some sweet and savoury delights
Today is the most glorious Tuesday of all. We're given free rein to piles our plates high with thin crepes or thick pancakes, slathering them with a selection of sweet and savoury spreads and toppings. It's truly a joyous occasion.
However, have you ever stopped, mid-chew, to wonder why there is an entire day dedicated to eating pancakes? Well, as legend has it, Pancake Tuesday, or Shrove Tuesday as it’s also known, began as a way to use up luxurious ingredients like eggs and milk before the religious season of Lent, a period of fasting and absolution before Easter started. Pancake Tuesday always precedes Ash Wednesday, which marks the start of Lent, meaning that the date of Shrove Tuesday changes every year. Although Shrove Tuesday is now associated with Christianity, it is believed that it was originally a Pagan festival, where round pancakes, which represented the sun, were eaten to welcome spring.
Pancake Tuesday is also celebrated in various other countries under different names: In France, it’s known as Mardi Gras or Fat Tuesday and traditionally people make a wish while trying to flip their pancakes with one hand and holding a coin in the other. Sounds like a challenge!
READ MORE: 10 recipes that are perfect for brunch at home
Mardi Gras is also celebrated in the southern states in America, particularly in New Orleans, where a twisted ring of cinnamon dough with a small plastic baby inside, known as King Cake, is eaten. Finding the baby in your slice of cake is considered a massive honour, meaning you’ll be lucky for the year and must host next year’s Mardi Gras party.
Here in Ireland, Pancake Tuesday is simple. We just whip up a batter and add the toppings of our choice. Whether you choose to eat them for breakfast, lunch, dinner or dessert - or for all your meals today, we won't judge - we've dug through our archives to bring you the best pancake recipes to suit all meals.
Buttermilk pancakes
These American-style pancakes are thicker than crêpes, but they should have a light and fluffy texture. The trick is to not overbeat the mixture. Served with either a berry compote – see our recipe for making one at home below – and crème fraîche, or the classic maple syrup and bacon combination. Get the recipe, here.
Drop scone pancakes
Drop scone pancakes are small, thick pancakes, so named because they are made by dropping spoonfuls of batter on to a hot griddle or frying pan. They are similar to American style pancakes, except drop scone pancakes are slightly thicker and a little smaller. They can be eaten hot or cold and with just about any toppings your belly desires that morning. But as the recipe below suggests, they are – like most things in life – best served with bacon and syrup. Oh, and the best part? This recipe makes 12 delicious drop scone pancakes and will take only 35 mins to prepare and cook. Get the recipe, here.
Banana and peanut butter vegan pancakes
These banana and peanut butter vegan pancakes are the ultimate comfort food for two reasons: They're quick and easy to make, which means you can cram in an indulgent breakfast before your early Zoom call, and they're made using bananas which are high in vitamin B6. This helps synthesise feel-good neurotransmitters (a type of chemical that sends messages between neurons in the brain) like dopamine and serotonin. Separately, they work to reduce depressive symptoms, and together, they form a dynamic duo of brain chemistry to send you tonnes of positive vibes. And they're vegan too, so you can suit all tastebuds. Get the recipe, here.
Japanese soufflé pancakes
If you've been on TikTok over the past year or so, you'll have seen that giant, fluffy pancakes have become a real trend. Fluffy pancakes, aka スフレパンケーキ, aka Japanese Pancakes, aka soufflé pancakes, share the same foundation as normal pancakes — namely, eggs, flour and milk — but are prepared similarly to a soufflé. Egg yolks and egg whites are separated, and the whites are beaten to make a meringue-like mixture. While it takes a little more effort, it’s definitely worth it when you bite into the soft and fluffy goodness that is a Japanese soufflé pancake. Get the recipe, here.
Savoury oat pancakes with avocado, beets and feta
Pancakes don't have to be sweet, of course, and can actually make a great starting point for a more substantial dish. This recipe from Flahavan's pairs oat pancakes with avocado, beetroot and soft, crumbly feta. Get the recipe, here.
Classic rêpes
This is a classic recipe for thin, French-style pancakes. Using half milk and half water allows for a light and thin batter. Unlike the thicker, fluffier style of pancakes, this batter is best made a bit in advance and kept in the fridge until ready to use. Get the recipe, here.
Red velvet pancakes
New York diner-style chocolate pancakes meet red velvet cake in this ingenious brunch dish, stacked up with a sweet maple cream cheese frosting and chocolate chips. Get the recipe, here.
Leftover porridge pancakes
Forgot to buy flour? Don't panic. This recipe transforms basic porridge oats into delicious pancakes. No problem if you don't have any leftover porridge, we also show you how to make it from scratch. They taste so good you may never buy flour again. Get the recipe, here.
Barbecued pancakes with coffee and caramel sauce
You would be forgiven for thinking that barbecuing pancakes on a cold Tuesday in March is a little farfetched. But if you read the February 2021 issue of Food&Wine Magazine, you'll have seen that Conor Wilson makes a strong case for cooking outdoors - in all seasons. Embrace the great outdoors by firing up the barbecue for these tasty grilled pancakes. Get the recipe, here.
Cinnamon roll pancakes
If you love cinnamon rolls but aren't bothered with the hassle, these cinnamon roll pancakes are just for you. Fluffy, perfect pancakes, swirled with a cinnamon-sugar mixture and topped with an icing drizzle - they are truly delicious. Get the recipe, here.
Pancake topping ideas:
This delicious berry compote is a great fruity addition to your pancakes that also adds sharp, tart freshness. Our spiced apple and caramel sauce makes for a lush dessert-style filling, just add ice cream. The whiskey caramelised bananas used here in this decadent French toast recipe also work extremely well on pancakes.
If you want a savoury option, you could try some smoked salmon and avocado as a tasty topping idea. Poached eggs, bacon and hollandaise sauce on top of fluffy pancakes make for a great take on classic eggs Benedict or try the ultimate American classic of fried chicken and maple syrup with your pancakes.
READ MORE: What we're cooking this week
