Posted on 02/01/2008 4:52:08 PM PST by snugs
This Tuesday is Shrove Tuesday otherwise known as Mardi Gras, Fat Tuesday and if you come from Britain Pancake Day.
Though all of these names are completely different celebrations and events they also signal one thing the next day is the start of lent. Many years ago in countries considered as Christian countries this meant 40 days of fasting and praying so the day before was the time to eat up all the rich fatty foods before this time of obstaying.
Pancakes are ideal foods to be consumed on Shrove Tuesday as they contain fat and eggs which were forbidden to be eaten during Lent.
Nowadays in a more secular society and more free less traditional churches the season of Lent no longer seems as important and in many cases people are not even aware of Lent and the original significance of this time of year.
When I was younger I came from a church background that as such did not celebrate Lent but in those days it was still a time when people did use that time of year as an opportunity to deny themselves something they really enjoyed during this period. I can remember friends at school not eating sweets or chocolate (candies) or going on a diet if they were overweight.
The following information on Shrove Tuesday comes from Woodland School in Kent, England which is an excellent web site for traditional British events and celebrations and traditional customs and food. This web site is aimed at children under 11 but I find it a great webs tie explaining many of my country's traditions and also Christian traditions in general.
I meant to say pretty impressive.
After looking at London in general, I could probably get lost fairly easily. I don’t know how the cab drivers there do it...
They have my admiration it is very rare you ask to go anywhere and the need assitance
When I was a Catholic, a long time ago and far away, yes I certainly gave things up for Lent (usually desserts) but when I became Lutheran, no more. My mom still gives up all sweets for Lent every year.
And I like my pancakes with a bit more substance. I make mine with sour cream. And then only have them slathered in real butter and maple syrup! YUMMERS!!
I went to Little Chef when I was in England staying with friends. They really wanted to show me LC as it was one of their favorite spots. We went to 3 of them who were out of this and that and the other (”sorry. That’s off.” LOL LOL Took me awhile to understand THAT phrase!) After the 3rd try, I started to call it the Little Chef of Naught! LOL I still laugh about it and Dave and Jen think it so bizarre and NOT funny that the day they tried to show me their favorite place, it was all OFF!! LOL Dave says ‘honestly! The only time I’ve ever run into trouble like that at LC was the day we tried to take you there!’ LOL
Hi there!
You soften Phildelphia cream cheese and spread it on the crepes and then roll them up or fold into quarters. Or you can also serve them with preserves.
A Graham cracker or preferably if you can get it a McVities Digestive biscuit, spread with philly cheese and topped with a jam of your choice. Jam not jelly so that you actually get the bits of fruit. I prefer blackcurrant or strawberry but apricot or marmalade is good as well
Are you giving up anything for Lent?
No at such but I have been cutting down on food generally for the last 2 or 3 weeks having put a little weight on since my birthday in November and then Christmas/New Year Holidays.
Do you know what other people are giving up?
It has been a long time since I have actually heard people say they are giving anything up for Lent. I have seen even in recent years Lent posters in some windows which obviously mean these people are participating in some church program this coming week but I am not aware of anyone at work involved or giving up anything for Lent.
Do you think they know why it is traditional to give things up at this time?
I got the distinct feeling at school there were 2 groups of people that gave up something for Lent. One who were aware this was the time of year that it was traditional to abstain from something either for health, saving money or generally a way of showing self discipline. I felt that this group thought it does you good to deny yourself something once in a way and Lent is a time when it socially acceptable to do and others are doing it so you get encouragement from your peers.
The other group were youngsters who had some form of church background whether it be through actually attending main church services or activities promoted by church such a Guides, Scouts, Girls/Boy Brigade or youth clubs. They also believed that it did you good to deny yourself things that are bad for you or luxury goods once in a while and also appreciated to some extent the religious significance but once again I would say they more used this time of the year to promote a lifestyle or change of lifestyle when it was acceptable to do so. I think really by this time the real message of Lent and significance amongst the majority of the population had really gone. Maybe it was there in my grandparents time but by the time I was in my teens it was more a memory than a reality. And today it is only really practiced amongst devote Anglicans and Catholics.
What happens on pancake day in England?
This and a local Kentish recipe called Lent Pie I will share with you tonight. In my research I actually found details on the net of a town in the US twinned to an English town which celebrates Pancake Day and in fact has events on this weekend. Maybe we can actually find some photos on the net of these events.
Your pancakes look similar to those that my mom makes. She doesn't make them that big in diameter, but they are thin. They don't taste greasy, but sometimes they feel a little slick against the fingers. We typically eat them in a stack with syrup as anyone else eating pancakes over here does. The only difference is that we need more pancakes to make a stack.
Bill
Bill
I’ll be attending Stations of the Cross every Wednesday and Friday evenings during Lent.
Bill
My mum’s I would not say were greasy in as much like greasy fast food but certainly left more grease on kitchen paper than Phil’s but when eaten really hot almost to burn the mouth with lemon juice freshly squeezed of course and sugar sprinkled over the top they tasted wonderful.
My four main wishes in life:
1. Breakfast at Snugs'
2. Morning and early afternoon spent bird hunting with Dick Cheney
3. Late afternoon and early evening fishing with George Bush
4. Dinner and cocktails with Rush.....
I think I remember you posted some photos of these last year, if you can find them can you post one or 2 tomorrow.
Thanks.
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