Pancake Day will be celebrated later this month — but why do we celebrate it and why is it sometimes called Shrove Tuesday?

Here is all you need to know...

When is Pancake Day 2021?

Each year Pancake Day occurs on a Tuesday (Shrove Tuesday).

This year Pancake Day falls on Tuesday, February 16.

Why do we celebrate it?

Shrove Tuesday is the Christian Holy Day that occurs just before Ash Wednesday which marks the first day of Lent - the, traditionally, 40 days of penitence before Easter.

The Argus: Will you be making pancakes this year?Will you be making pancakes this year?

To prepare for Lent, on Shrove Tuesday, many Christians participate in confession to be absolved from their sins, and take the day to feast before their Lenten fast.

Shrove Tuesday was the last day Christians had to use up their fresh produce like eggs and fats - and pancakes were the ideal recipe to up all of these ingredients that would otherwise spoil.

Why does the date of Pancake Day change every year?

Pancake Day changes from year to year because it is always 47 days before Easter Sunday.

The date of Easter is calculated based on the first full moon after the spring equinox in March.

That means Easter this year is on April 4. Easter can fall any time between March 22 and April 25.

How to make a pancake:

Pancakes are relatively simple to make and you only need a few base ingredients - eggs, plain flour and milk.

The Argus: How to make a pancakeHow to make a pancake

Here is a simple pancake recipe for making around 11 pancakes:

Ingredients:

75g – Plain flour

120ml – Full fat milk

Pinch of sugar

Pinch of salt

1 egg

Method:

Put the flour, salt and sugar into a bowl and make a dip in the centre using a spoon. In a separate bowl, whisk the milk and egg together, and then whisk this gradually into the flour mixture. The batter should resemble the consistency of single cream.

Some people swear by leaving the mixture to rest for an hour, but I think its fine to use straight away. A heavy non-stick frying pan about 16cm across is best – over a steady medium to high heat.

Recipe from Beatriz Sanchez, the Chef-de-Partie at the 5-star hotel The Arch London in Pall Mall