You'll flip over these pimped-up pancakes for Shrove Tuesday

Karen Hardy
February 13 2024 - 10:26am

Not that you need an excuse to make pancakes but if you do, February 13 is Shrove Tuesday.

Whether you like them sweet or savoury, pancakes can make the perfect base for all kinds of creations. They are also perfectly fine with a dash of lemon juice and a sprinkle of sugar.

WATCH: Pancake Day, also known as Shrove Tuesday, or 'Mardis Gras' (Fat Tuesday) in some parts of the world, originated as a Christian festival to herald the beginning of the Lent period.

Pancakes are associated with Shrove Tuesday, the day preceding Lent, because they were a way to use up rich foods such as eggs, milk, and sugar, before the fasting season of the 40 days of Lent.

Sounds like a good reason to make some. Here are a few recipe to take your pancakes to the next level.

Bacon and maple blueberry pancakes

Bacon and maple blueberry pancakes. Picture: Supplied
Bacon and maple blueberry pancakes. Picture: Supplied

Ingredients

  • 1 3/4 cups buttermilk
  • 1 egg
  • 30g unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 tsp vanilla essence
  • 1 1/2 cups plain flour
  • 1/3 cup caster sugar
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp bicarbonate of soda
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/2 cup blueberries
  • 8 pieces streaky bacon
  • butter and maple syrup, to serve
  • 1/2 cup fresh blueberries to serve

Method

1. Preheat oven to 100C. In a large bowl whisk together buttermilk, egg, butter and vanilla essence.

2. In a separate bowl add flour, sugar, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda and 1/4 teaspoon of salt.

3. Make a well in the centre, pour in liquid mixture and whisk until combined.

4. Allow to stand for 20 minutes, then stir in blueberries.

5. Place a large non stick frypan over a medium heat.

6. Pour 1/4 cup into the pan and cook for two to three minutes or until bubbles appear on the surface. Flip and cook for another minute or until base is golden.

7. Transfer onto plate, cover with foil to keep warm and repeat with remaining batter until finished.

8. Place the bacon into the same frypan and cook for three to four minutes on each side or until crispy.

9. Divide the pancakes amongst four plates and top with bacon, butter, berries and maple syrup.

Serves 4.

Recipe courtesy of Australian Blueberries

Smoked salmon and dill Dutch baby. Picture: Supplied
Smoked salmon and dill Dutch baby. Picture: Supplied

Smoked salmon and dill Dutch baby

Pickled onion:

  • 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tbsp caster sugar
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 1/3 cup water
  • 1 red onion, halved and sliced thinly

Dutch Baby Pancake:

  • 2/3 cup plain flour
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 2/3 cup milk
  • 3 eggs
  • 30g butter, diced

Smoked salmon, dill and creme fraiche:

  • 1/2 cup crème fraiche (or sour cream)
  • 1 tsp lemon zest
  • salt and pepper
  • 150g smoked salmon slices
  • lemon wedges and extra dill fronds to serve

Method

Pickled onion:

1. Combine vinegar, sugar, salt and water.

2. Mix until sugar has dissolved.

3. Add onion and toss to coat.

4. Stand for 10 minutes and then drain just before serving

Dutch Baby Pancake:

1. Arrange one oven rack in the middle position and remove all other racks above or below.

2. Set oven to 240C/220C (fan-forced) and place a 25cm (top measurement) ovenproof frying pan into oven to heat up.

3. Combine flour and salt in a large mixing bowl and make a well in the centre.

4. Pour in milk and add eggs.

5. Whisk to a smooth batter.

6. Once oven has reached temperature, quickly remove hot frying pan from oven using oven mitts.

7. Add butter and swirl pan to coat all the base and sides.

8. Pour in batter and return to oven.

9. Cook 15-18 minutes or until pancake has puffed up and sides are golden.

Creme fraiche topping:

1. While Dutch baby is cooking, mix together the crème fraiche and lemon zest.

2. Season with salt and pepper.

3. Refrigerate.

Assembly:

1. Remove from oven and top with dollops of crème fraiche, smoked salmon and pickled onion.

2. Garnish with dill fronds.

3. Cut into wedges and serve with extra dill and lemon wedges.

Serves 4

Recipe courtesy of Australian Eggs.

Gluten-free peanut butter pancakes with smooth peanut butter and honey Greek yoghurt

Gluten-free peanut butter pancakes with smooth peanut butter and honey Greek yogurt. Picture: Supplied
Gluten-free peanut butter pancakes with smooth peanut butter and honey Greek yogurt. Picture: Supplied

Ingredients

For the gluten free pancakes:

  • 1/2 cup gluten free flour
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 2/3 cup milk of your choice
  • 1 tbsp Mayver's Dark Roast Peanut Butter

For the peanut butter and honey Greek yoghurt:

  • 1/2 cup plain Greek yoghurt
  • 2 tbsp Mayver's Dark Roast Peanut Butter
  • 1 tbsp honey

Method

1. In a medium bowl combine flour, baking powder, milk and stir until smooth. Add peanut butter to the mixed batter and stir until mixed in thoroughly.

2. Warm a frypan on a medium heat and add oil to coat bottom of the pan. Add a couple of tablespoons of mixture and cook for approximately three minutes until bubbles start to appear. Flip and cook for another two minutes or until golden brown. Repeat until all mixture is used.

3. Serve with layers of peanut butter and honey Greek yoghurt and top with crushed peanuts.

4. For the peanut butter and honey Greek yoghurt: add all the ingredients into a bowl and stir until combined. The mixture will become thick as it is combined.

Serves 1.

Recipe courtesy of @janessa.rutter in collaboration with Mayver's.

Peanut butter oat pancakes

Peanut butter oat pancakes. Picture: Supplied
Peanut butter oat pancakes. Picture: Supplied

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/2 cup oats
  • 1/2 cup Mayver's Smooth Peanut Butter
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • oil for cooking
  • 1/2 banana, mashed and 1/2 to serve

Method

1. Combine dry ingredients well, before adding the wet ingredients.

2. Combine until moist batter is formed.

3. Over a hot pan, spoon 2-3 tbsp. of mixture and cook each side for 1-2 mins.

4. Serve with banana and drizzle with a syrup of your choice

Serves 1.

Recipe courtesy of Susie Burrell for Mayvers.

Karen Hardy

Karen Hardy

Canberra Times lifestyle reporter

I've covered a few things here at The Canberra Times over the years, from sport to education. But now I get to write about the fun stuff - where to eat, what to do, places to go, people to see. Let me know about your favourite things. Email: karen.hardy@canberratimes.com.au