IT'S SHROVE TUESDAY AND THAT MEANS PANCAKES

The tradition of using up fat and eggs before the start of Lent is timed perfectly with my crop of Meyer lemons. It means pancakes for dessert tonight. A once a year treat! Out comes the special pan: my cast iron frying pan which is used for nothing else but making these delicious little rolls of sugary lemon delight.

When I lived with my parents we always had pancakes on Shrove Tuesday. I don't think my mother ever ran down the street tossing pancakes but that didn't stop her from making the best pancakes. A sprinkle of sugar and a squeeze of lemon juice and there you have it, perfection.
The recipe is simple:
4oz flour
pinch of salt
1egg
10oz milk
Mix sieved flour with egg and a little milk until combined then gradually add the rest of the milk. Whisk well. Heat pan until very hot, grease and wipe (I now use Pam)  then pour in scant ¼c  of batter, twirling the pan until the bottom is covered. Turn when the first side is browned. Toss if you dare!

Sprinkle with sugar, a few squeezes of lemon juice, roll and sprinkle with more sugar and lemon.

In the village of Olney Bucks. England, they take Pancake day more seriously. The race has been run there since 1445. To enter the race you must wear an apron and a scarf and toss your pancake once at the beginning and once at the end of the 415yd race. The race ends at the church with contestants attending the service. Why aren't we doing this in Austin as part of our Keep Austin Weird program!