In the Kitchen… Buttermilk Pancakes for Shrove Tuesday
Shrove Tuesday is the traditional feast day dating back to Anglo Saxon times, before the start of Lent on Ash Wednesday. 
It’s a time to use up your eggs, milk and flour before the traditional 40-day fast in the lead up to Easter.
This year, why not try creamy buttermilk pancakes?
Shrove Tuesday falls on Tuesday 21st February this year.
Makes 12 pancakes
Preparation time: 25 minutes plus standing time
Cooking time: 15-20 minutes
Ingredients
175g Plain flour
¾ tbsp caster sugar
½ tsp salt
1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
1 egg
375ml buttermilk
3tbsp vegetable oil
Serving suggestions
See our Be Sustainable article for some eco-friendly pancake toppings, opposite.
Method
1. Sift the flour, sugar, and bicarbonate of soda into a mixing bowl.
2. Beat the egg lightly into the buttermilk and vegetable oil in a large jug.
3. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and beat to a smooth creamy batter. Leave to stand for at least 30 minutes
4. Brush a non-stick frying pan with oil and place over a medium heat. Pour enough batter to make 10cm round pancakes. Cook for 1½ – 2 minutes per side. Set aside on a warmed plate covered with a linen cloth until all pancakes are cooked.
What if you don’t have buttermilk?
Creamy, tangy buttermilk lends a beautiful flavour to this recipe but it’s not an ingredient many of us have lying around. But don’t worry, it’s incredibly easy to make.
Mix 240ml whole milk with 1 tbsp white vinegar or lemon juice. Let it sit for five minutes until it’s thickened and curdled slightly. Use it one for one in recipes requiring buttermilk. So, for this recipe use 360ml milk with 1½ tbsp vinegar or lemon juice.
