Pancakes are not just for Pancake Day (aka Shrove Tuesday or Mardi Gras). As you can see in this collection of Pancakes from Around the World, almost every country has their own style and they certainly do not keep them for simply one day of the year.
In the UK the most popular time is to eat pancakes on Pancake Day - the day before Ash Wednesday and the start of Lent - known also as Shrove Tuesday, Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday.
Pancake Day is a fabulous day of celebrating the day before abstinence sets in and traditionally a way to use up any stocks of milk, butter and eggs which were forbidden during Lent.
If you fancy a change from the usual crepe-style pancakes this year, here is a selection of pancakes from around the world by the talented food writers at About.com, all perfect for Pancake Day and so good they can be eaten year-round.
In the UK the most popular time is to eat pancakes on Pancake Day - the day before Ash Wednesday and the start of Lent - known also as Shrove Tuesday, Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday.
Pancake Day is a fabulous day of celebrating the day before abstinence sets in and traditionally a way to use up any stocks of milk, butter and eggs which were forbidden during Lent.
If you fancy a change from the usual crepe-style pancakes this year, here is a selection of pancakes from around the world by the talented food writers at About.com, all perfect for Pancake Day and so good they can be eaten year-round.
1. England
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Shrove Tuesday, also known as Pancake Day in Britain , is the day before Ash Wednesday and the start of Lent. Apart from eating pancakes, throughout England there are Pancake Day Races which are always great fun to to watch. The contestants in the race have to run whilst at the same time, toss a pancake from a frying pan. Hilarious.
The typical English pancake is thin and light and not dissimilar to a French crepe and usually eaten with sugar and lemon, or Golden Syrup.
The typical English pancake is thin and light and not dissimilar to a French crepe and usually eaten with sugar and lemon, or Golden Syrup.
2. Scotland, Ireland and Wales
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In Scotland, Wales and Ireland pancakes tend to be thicker, slightly risen and cooked on a griddle. They are also known as Scotch Pancakes, Drop Scones or Griddle Cakes and in Wales, Crempog.
Whatever you choose to call them, the Pancake Recipe is the same.
3. USA
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What would breakfast be without a stack of pancakes drizzled with maple syrup. Delicious. The recipes for them seem endless. Here is a collection of 10 pancake recipes from About.com's Busy Cook Site guide Linda Larsen
4. France and Italy
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French Crepes and Italian Crespelle are not unalike. Both are thin light pancakes and feature heavily in both cuisines as savory and sweet dishes.
Enjoy this collection of Sweet Crepe Recipes from French Food and Crespelle from our Italian Food site.
5. Eastern Europe and Scandinavia
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The cooking of Eastern Europe and Scandinavia rely heavily on pancakes. Unlike the southern European pancakes they tend to be heavier and sometimes use buckwheat flour or potato.
The most famous pancake from Eastern Europe must be the blini, the perfect support for caviar or smoked salmon.
In Sweden Raggmunk is a savory potato pancake, served with bacon and Lingonberries. And, in Finland Pannukakku is oven baked and served with whipped cream and fruit for a lovely dessert.
The most famous pancake from Eastern Europe must be the blini, the perfect support for caviar or smoked salmon.
In Sweden Raggmunk is a savory potato pancake, served with bacon and Lingonberries. And, in Finland Pannukakku is oven baked and served with whipped cream and fruit for a lovely dessert.
6. China and India
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Though from Southern India, Dosas, a thin crispy pancake, are a are popular throughout the whole continent and the perfect accompaniment to chutneys, pickles or served with curry.
Chinese Food Guide Rhonda Parkinson has three recipes for different Chinese pancakes. Scallion - Spring Onion Pancakes for a great breakfast dish. Sweet Red Bean Pancakes and Mandarin Pancakes to go with Mu Shu Pork.
Chinese Food Guide Rhonda Parkinson has three recipes for different Chinese pancakes. Scallion - Spring Onion Pancakes for a great breakfast dish. Sweet Red Bean Pancakes and Mandarin Pancakes to go with Mu Shu Pork.
