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Do You Celebrate Pancake Day?

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International Pancake Day

To many of us, International Pancake Day means a good excuse for eating pancakes. However, this annual holiday is actually based in the Christian religion. It's the day before Ash Wednesday, which is the first day of Lent. International Pancake Day is also known as Shrove Tuesday, Fat Tuesday and Mardi Gras. It goes by other names in other countries in the world.

Pancake Day derived its name because in the UK and in various other countries, people did not eat fat, eggs or sugar during Lent. Therefore, cooks looked for ways to use up their supplies of these ingredients on the day before Lent. Pancakes filled the bill nicely. Hence, the custom developed and the name for the holiday developed accordingly.

In some countries, Pancake Day is celebrated by Pancake Flipping on the streets, Pancake Races and other fun filled activities. It is also strongly associated with celebrations such as Mardi Gras and marks the beginning of the Mardi Gras celebrations in New Orleans and elsewhere.

This page includes information about International Pancake Day as well as some recipes for ... you guessed it -- PANCAKES!

Vote in My Pancake Day Poll

Why Wait for Shrove Tuesday? Eat Pancakes Every Day
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The date changes yearly, since Fat Tuesday (aka Mardi Gras and International Pancake Day) falls 41 days before Easter. In 2011, the celebration occurred on March 8. This is the date for 2012.

Countdown to International Pancake Day

International Pancake Day: February 12, 2013

Pancake Making Supplies on Amazon

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Amazon Spotlight: Stonewall Kitchen Breakfast

Cookbook Recommendation

Much as we love pancakes, we like other breakfast recipes as well. This cookbook contains recipes for pancakes as well as for many other breakfast goodies. Note the rave reviews it gets from satisfied readers.
Stonewall Kitchen Breakfast

Stonewall Kitchen Breakfast

by: Jonathan King, Jim Stott, Kathy Gunst

Amazon Price: $11.32 (as of 05/31/2012)Buy Now

Much as we love pancakes, we like other breakfast recipes as well. This cookbook contains recipes for pancakes as well as for many other breakfast goodies. Note the rave reviews it gets from satisfied readers.

Recipe for White Chocolate Gingerbread Pancakes

Multigrain Pancake Recipe

Pancakes with Sugared Berries

Multigrain Pancakes with StrawberriesThis recipe is a healthier choice than many pancake recipes. Serve it with sugared strawberries and perhaps blueberries if you have any available.

Ingredients
1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1/4 cup quick oats
2 tablespoons of cornmeal
2 tablespoons of brown sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup 2% milk
1/4 cup plain yogurt, no fat
1/2 teaspoon of vanilla
1 tablespoon of vegetable oil
1 egg

Preparation

Combine together all of the dry ingredients and mix well. In a separate bowl, combine all remaining ingredients. Mix the dry and wet ingredients together. Do not over mix. The pancake batter should be slightly lumpy.

Heat a non stick skillet or if using a regular skillet, lightly brush or spray with oil. When the skillet is hot, spoon the batter onto it using amounts of about one quarter cup each. Cook until the top of the pancake bubbles. Flip it over and cook a few minutes until done.

Serve with your sugared strawberries. Add butter and syrup if desired.

Recipe for Oatmeal Banana Bread Pancakes

Oatmeal Banana Bread PancakesThis unusual and hearty pancake recipe is lovely served with maple syrup or any fruit flavored syrup. It would make a great lunch or dinner for National Pancake Day.

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups of flour
1 cup quick cooking oats with large flakes
1/4 cup of brown sugar
1 teaspoon of baking soda
1/4 teaspoon of salt
1 1/2 cups of milk
2 beaten eggs
2 bananas
3 tablespoons of melted butter
2 teaspoon of vanilla
1 tablespoon of vegetable oil

Preparation

Mash the bananas.

Mix the dry ingredients together. In a separate bowl, mix the remaining ingredients together. Spoon the wet ingredients over the dry ingredients. Stir this together but do not over mix. It should be almost smooth but not quite. Allow this to sit for ten minutes.

Heat your non stick skillet or griddle, or oil a regular skillet or griddle and heat it until it is at a medium heat.

Pour the pancake batter onto the heated skillet, pouring about 1/3 cup of batter per pancake. Cook until the top is bubbly, then flip over and continue cooking for a few minutes or until done. The underside should be golden brown when cooked.

Serve these Oatmeal Banana Bread Pancakes for breakfast, lunch or dinner on Shrove Tuesday.

Shop for Pancake Day Goodies

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International Names for Fat Tuesday

Pancake Day goes by many names in our global village, and in some areas, pastries other than pancakes are the tradition. These are some of the names used throughout the globe.
  • 1Fat Tuesday All Catholic and some Protestant countries refer to Pancake Day as Fat Tuesday.
  • 2Terça-feira Gorda This is Fat Tuesday in Portuguese countries.
  • 3Mardi Gras The French call it Mardi Gras
  • 4Máirt Inide. This is the Irish name, meaning Shrovetide Tuesday or Fat Tuesday
  • 5Fastnacht Day This is the term used by German speaking people.
  • 6Malasada Day. This is Pancake Day in Hawaii.
  • 7Sprengidagur In Iceland, Fat Tuesday is known as Sprengidagur or Bursting Day. The Icelanders eat salt meat and peas on this day.
  • 8Paczki Day In some regions of the US with a large Polish population, Fat Tuesday is known as Paczki Day. Celebrants eat paczki. which are a type of donut. In Poland, the day is celebrated on a Thursday and is called the Polish words meaning Fat Thursday.

Yummy Pictures of Pancakes

Wouldn't any of these yummy pancake dishes be great to serve on Shrove Tuesday?
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News Items About International Pancake Day

Let's see what the news media has to report about National Pancake Day.
50th Oak Bay Tea Party set for Willows Beach
Enjoy activities on the grass, on the beach, on stage, in the water and in the sky at the Oak Bay Tea Party this weekend, the 50th anniversary of the fun-filled two day celebration. "Considering the Tea Party was only supposed to be a one-time event, ...
Rotary Club Memorial Day breakfast expects to raise about $10000
Club spokesman Mike Hornby said last year more than 650 pancake and sausage meals were served. Halfway through Monday morning's event, more than 450 had already been served. While the breakfast is free, the Rotary accepts donations.
COLUMN: Counting a lifetime of blessings on a special week
I also get a kick out of other ?made up holidays," like Star Wars Day (May 4), International Pi Day (March 14), National Pancake Day (Feb. 28) and of course, International Talk Like A Pirate Day (Sept. 19). I love that people can celebrate their own ...
Pancake breakfast, fly-in at Shelby airport
The Fly In, hosted by Chapter 148 of the Experimental Aircraft Association, has been designated as one of the "gathering places" for International Biplane Day, which is Saturday. Planes will be on display for others to view, and the association will ...
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International Pancake Day Links

It seems the Brits have the most outrageous traditions around Shrove Tuesday -- or perhaps they're just better at getting their videos up on YouTube. Pancake Day is celebrated in many countries, although if you go by YouTube videos, it would be understandable if you think its only in the UK.
Shrove Tuesday - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Shrove Tuesday is a term associated in English-speaking countries, especially the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia,[ New Zealand, and parts of the United States[2] for the day preceding Ash Wednesday
What is Pancake Day?
What is Pancake Day? As explained by the British High Commission in Canada.
Shrove Tuesday March 8, 2011 Pancake Recipes, Traditions & History
Eat up! Your guide to Shrove Tuesday on the Web.
Video of Pancake Day Celebration in the UK
Shrove Tuesday (Pancake Day) 20th February 2007 at All Saints Church, Rectory Green, Easton, Portland, Dorset.
Pancake Flipping in London (Video)
Armed with a frying pan and a warm pancake, we went on the search for the best pancake tossing techniques.
Explaining Shrove Tuesday (Video)
CELTIC CROSS PCM attempting to explain Shrove Tuesday for the Feb 24, 2009 Presbytery Meeting of Cherokee Presbytery
Pancake Racing on Shrove Tuesday, 2009
Pancake Racing comes to Chester on Shrove Tuesday. Being Chester this involves film crews, photographers and the Lord mayor
Pancake Day Clip Art Images
Clipart featuring pancakes and people making pancakes
Mardi Gras Clip Art Images
Mardi Gras clip art images.

Funniest Pancake Day Video Ever

Bring your sense of humor and get ready for a Pancake Day laugh with Robin Hood and Friar Tuck
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How do you Celebrate International Pancake Day?

  • SmartyGirlRenee Mar 4, 2012 @ 9:57 pm | delete
    by making green apple buttermilk pancakes
  • nightcats Mar 5, 2012 @ 12:11 pm | delete
    Sounds delicious to me.
  • KathieWoolridge Mar 2, 2012 @ 10:06 am | delete
    I did not know such day existed.
  • lazshadow Mar 2, 2012 @ 7:21 am | delete
    love pancakes =)
  • nightcats Mar 2, 2012 @ 1:02 pm | delete
    Ah yes. As do so many of us. :-)
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I'm a writer and Internet marketer living in Vancouver, Canada. I opened my home business in 1996 and haven't looked back. I have various interests: cooking,... more »

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