With pancake day on the horizon, we take a look at the history of the celebration and how you can add a little Cornish twist to the classic pancake to get that holiday feeling!
Although travelling still isn’t possible due to restrictions, we can still look forward to trips in the near future! Once COVID restrictions begin to ease, why not visit our luxury cottages in Cornwall to enjoy some classic Cornish treats against a stunning Cornish backdrop?
In the meantime, try out these Cornish-inspired pancakes!
With all the excitement around eating the tasty treats themselves, it can be easy to forget what pancake day is really all about!
More officially known as Shrove Tuesday, Pancake Day is a celebration before the start of Lent on Ash Wednesday. Celebrated 47 days before Easter, it falls on a different Tuesday each year.
For Christians, Lent is a time of fasting during the 40 days leading up to Easter. Traditionally, Shrove Tuesday was a day to confess your sins and be ‘shriven’ or absolved before the period of penance during Lent.
For those that observe Lent, Shrove Tuesday was the last opportunity to use foods like eggs or butter – pancakes are the perfect way to use such ingredients!
Traditionally, the four main pancake ingredients are also said to represent four significant elements surrounding the approach to Easter – these being:
Flour – the staff of life
Milk – purity
Eggs – creation
Salt – wholesomeness
And there you have it – the Pancake Day we know and love today was born!
Any kind of pancake will follow the same basic recipe. To start off your Cornish pancakes, use the recipe below to make a batch of twelve.
• 100g plain flour
• 2 large eggs
• 300ml milk
• Pinch of salt
• 50g butter
1) Sieve the flour into a bowl and gradually whisk in the eggs, milk and salt, until a smooth batter is formed.
2) Heat your frying pan on a medium heat and melt a sliver of butter. When hot, pour a thin layer of batter into the pan, heating on high for thirty seconds before reducing the heat and flipping the pancake. Cook on a medium heat for a minute or so, until golden on both sides.
3) Repeat this process with the rest of the mixture. You can keep the pancakes warm in a low-heated oven or eat them straight away.
4) Serve the pancakes with one of the delicious Cornish topping ideas below!
When it comes to quality local produce, you’ll rarely find any better than what Cornwall has to offer. With famous ice cream and clotted cream, as well as renowned seafood, there are plenty of both sweet and savoury topping ideas for those looking to add Cornish twist to their Pancake Day celebrations!
Cornish Clotted Cream – It’s the obvious choice, and sure to taste delicious with a heaping of jam or fresh fruit like strawberries, blueberries or raspberries!
Cornish Ice Cream – Another delightfully creamy option. Just a spoonful of the beloved Cornish ice cream would make a heavenly topping, but add some sliced banana, chocolate chips or even a taste of Cornish fudge, and you’ll have created something truly indulgent!
Savoury Seafood Options – Although many tend to favour sweet pancakes, they can also work exceptionally well with savoury toppings. Why not get inventive with your pancakes and add things like cod, haddock or salmon, or get even more decadent with shellfish like lobster, crab or prawns?
Cornish Brie – Another great savoury option, especially if you can get your hands on true Cornish brie. The heat from the pancakes will help melt the brie, giving you a deliciously cheesy treat. Adding garlic mushrooms or ham can elevate this savoury idea even more!
What’s your topping of choice? Let us know whether you opt for any of our Cornish-inspired pancake ideas on our social media!
THE VALLEY is proud to be the only 5 Star Gold Self Catering holiday village of its size in the whole of Cornwall
