Hip hip hooray, it’s pancake day!

Whip out the old frying pan, pancake day is just around the corner!

Taking place on the 28^th of February this year, Shrove Tuesday precedes Ash Wednesday and is linked to the festival of Easter. Traditions stem back thousands of years with events beginning by a bell being rung to call people to confession. This came to be called the ‘Pancake Bell’ and is still rung today. Anglo Saxon Christians would then travel to their churches and take part in confession before being ‘shriven’ (absolved from their sins). Following this process, some would choose to fast for 40 days. Many people still choose to take part in lent and give up luxury items for 40 days during the run up to Easter.

Of course, all of this is very interesting but here at Hunters of Helmsley we’re always keen to know where food comes into it. The familiar ‘pancake day’ was thought up as a way of finishing off any perishable rich foods, like eggs, milk and sugar in order to avoid waste. Whilst we may not be quite as thrifty or strict in the modern world, we do still love to celebrate pancake day!

In order to create the perfect pancake we must start with the basic mix. Take fresh milk, free-range local eggs (available in store) and flour. We have lots of different varieties including regular, coconut, buckwheat, rice and tapioca, ideal for those with allergies or intolerance's. We also have an array of oils that will make flipping a piece of cake.

Once cooked it’s time to indulge with some terrific toppings. We have an array of fruit and chocolate sauces, date, agave and maple syrups and sugars. We also have a variety of nut butters from the amazing Natural World. These delightful butters come in Almond and Coconut, Pecan and Fig, Pistachio or Hazelnut and Carob.

For those seeking something savoury and satisfying, add some pizazz with tasty cheese. A striking blue can really hit the spot whilst a mellow cheddar compliments tangy Marmite or chutney beautifully. Finally, why not create a real show stopper by flambéing your pancake in rum or cognac, delish!

So, pop into Hunters for everything you need this pancake day. You’d be flipping mad not to!