Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Fat Tuesday, Pancake Day!... not today.

So here I am a little late again, but this time I got to prepare them on the actual day! :) So yesterday was the Fat Tuesday (also known as Pancake Day, Shrove Tuesday and Mardi Gras, in French). It's similar to the Tłusty Czwartek (Fat Thursday) in Poland.



It is the day preceding Ash Wednesday (today), the first day of Lent. Fat Tuesday is observed mainly in English speaking countries, especially Ireland, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the United States but is also observed in the Philippines and Germany. Fat Tuesday is linked to Easter, so its date changes on an annual basis. In most traditions the day is known for the eating of pancakes before the start of Lent. Pancakes are eaten as they are made out of the main foods available, sugar, fat, flour and eggs, whose consumption was traditionally restricted during the ritual fasting associated with Lent. - Wikipedia



Pancakes are much easier than donuts, so I decided to make some. I chose a Brazilian recipe, but there is nothing really different than other pancake recipes I've seen. Maybe one or other ingredient and the amount to get a different thickness or flavor. The original recipe I got from here and I did add one egg for a better consistency. Also, I made the filling in a different way and I prepared a chocolate sauce to go with the pancakes. I just think chocolate and bananas are a good match! :)



As for the photos, I am re ally enjoying taking them. Still have a lot to learn, but it's been fun. My husband has photography as a hobby (all the equipment is his actually) and thanks to him, it has become mine too. I have a little trouble with the light on them because I'm using our old laptop and the screen is not very good, so I never really know if I am seeing what you guys will see. I hope this will change in a couple of weeks. The last picture is from my instagram. It's my favorite angle. I don't know why I didn't do the same with the camera.


CHOCOLATE BANANA PANCAKES

Ingredients

1 cup of milk
2 tablespoons of oil
1 egg
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons of sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder

Filling

3 sliced bananas
3 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons cinnamon
3 tablespoons water

Sauce
2 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons cocoa
1 tablespoon water (more if necessary)

Directions

Whisk together milk, oil and egg. Add the flour and whisk well until there is no lumps. Add the sugar and baking powder. If you are using a blender, just add all the ingredients into it and beat well.
Grease a frying pan with a few drops of oil or a little butter and heat it. Use a ladle to pour the batter and move the pan to get a nice and thin coat of pancake. Cook until golden brown or and flip it over to get the same color on the other side.
Remove the pancake from the pan and add it to a plate with paper towel and reapeat the steps until the batter is ended.
For the filling, add all the ingredients into a saucepan and heat it on low. Let the bananas soften, but just enough so they don't lose their shape. Fill the pancakes.
In a small saucepan stir the sugar, cocoa and water. Heat it until the ingredients are disolved. Add more water according to the consistency desired. Pour over the filled pancakes and sprinkle powder sugar.

Simple like that!
Enjoy!

6 comments:

Paris Pastry said...

Darn! I wish I knew about this day!! Any excuse for me to make more pancakes. Yours look so incredibly good :) they remind me of Nutella crepes.

Chelle B said...

Pancakes! Oh my! Love them. These look so delicious. I'd like to invite you to enter the giveaway on my blog for Satori Cheese. http://quiche-ingqueen.blogspot.com/2012/02/satori-cheese-giveaway.html

Crunchy Creamy Sweet said...

Beautiful photos, delicious dish - I am IN! Yumm!

Carmen said...

Amazing pictures! A great recipe for a classic dish! Love it!

Jenn @ Peas and Crayons said...

Your photos are GORGEOUS!!! =) Love the recipe!

I'm practicing and learning more about photography lately too -- I love it so!

Bobbie said...

You're killing me, these look fablous!!! Mmmm I'm thinking these for Sunday morning Brunch!