The day before Ash Wednesday is known throughout the world by many names (Fat Tuesday, Shrove Tuesday, Tuesday...), but in Ireland, it is known as 'Pancake Tuesday.' This title seems to originate from the need to rid the house of flour before Lent (a practice with which I have been unfamiliar until now), and the best way to do that seems to be by converting the flour into pancakes.
As the token Yank, I was placed in charge of the pancake making this year, since apparently Americans have an innate pancake-making skill. I haven't made pancakes in years, and the ones I used to make on the griddle back home were small and somewhat thick. In Ireland, however, pancakes are the size of the pan, and quite thin. Nonetheless, I resolved to flip them to the best of my ability, regardless of the damage to the ceiling of the kitchen.
Thus, last night, I whipped up some pancake batter, and with mild trepidation, poured it into the pan. After seeing the telltale bubbles, I boldly seized the handle of the pan and flipped. The pancake barely flopped at the edges. With less temerity, I flipped again, and this time the pancake hopped up in the pan, but unfortunately landed on the same side. Knowing that this next toss would make or break my unearned pancake reputation, I flipped a third time, and the pancake soared into the air...
... and landed perfectly in the pan, right side up. Well pleased with myself, I slid the cooked pancake onto a plate, and proceeded to successfully cook the rest of the batter. We ate them with lemon juice and brown sugar (an interesting but not bad combo) and with maple syrup (much more up my alley). I had a bunch of these lovingly-made delicacies, and then began to understand how Pancake Tuesday could actually just be a synonym for Fat Tuesday...
As the token Yank, I was placed in charge of the pancake making this year, since apparently Americans have an innate pancake-making skill. I haven't made pancakes in years, and the ones I used to make on the griddle back home were small and somewhat thick. In Ireland, however, pancakes are the size of the pan, and quite thin. Nonetheless, I resolved to flip them to the best of my ability, regardless of the damage to the ceiling of the kitchen.
Thus, last night, I whipped up some pancake batter, and with mild trepidation, poured it into the pan. After seeing the telltale bubbles, I boldly seized the handle of the pan and flipped. The pancake barely flopped at the edges. With less temerity, I flipped again, and this time the pancake hopped up in the pan, but unfortunately landed on the same side. Knowing that this next toss would make or break my unearned pancake reputation, I flipped a third time, and the pancake soared into the air...
... and landed perfectly in the pan, right side up. Well pleased with myself, I slid the cooked pancake onto a plate, and proceeded to successfully cook the rest of the batter. We ate them with lemon juice and brown sugar (an interesting but not bad combo) and with maple syrup (much more up my alley). I had a bunch of these lovingly-made delicacies, and then began to understand how Pancake Tuesday could actually just be a synonym for Fat Tuesday...
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