Shrove Tuesday’s Colorful Pancakes

When Kiddo was just a little Kiddo, we did a lot of fun things with our food. We celebrated more. And we took our faith more seriously as well. I can remember making these beautiful pancakes for my family to enjoy on Shrove Tuesday. Back then, we had time in the morning before Kiddo rushed off to school and Hubby headed for the office. I miss those days.

In case you were wondering, Shrove is the past tense of the English verb Shrive, which means to obtain absolution for one’s sins by way of confession and penance. The custom of eating pancakes the day before Lent begins is an English tradition dating back to the 16th century.

Part of the preparation for Lent is to rid your home of forbidden foods. Way back when, to abstain meant more than just not eating a steak on Fridays, and it involved the entire 40-Days of Lent. And it wasn’t just confined to meats. Milk, butters, eggs – all those things that make pancakes so awesome were also on the taboo food list. So in order to use up those ingredients, a big pancake breakfast was served. What I fail to understand is what they did with future milk and eggs. After all, the cows still needed milking and the hens continued laying.

In any case, on Shrove Tuesday the church bells ring, and the ladies race to fry up their pancakes. In some communities, they actually do race – as in running down the street, while flipping pancakes in a pan. What a sight that must be!

Now that I’m retired, it’s time I take back our mornings. Especially special mornings like this. My guys are waking up to a delicious, colorful pancake breakfast!

Shrove Tuesday’s Colorful Pancakes
2 cups Pancake baking mix
1 cup milk
2 eggs
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
Purple Food Coloring
Green Food Coloring
Yellow Food Coloring
Blackberries for garnish 

Mix together the pancake mix, milk, eggs, nutmeg, cinnamon and lemon zest in a large bowl until well combined.

Divide batter equally into three separate bowls. Place a few drops purple coloring into one bowl (or mix red and blue to create purple), green food coloring in another bowl and yellow food coloring in the third bowl. Using separate spoons for each bowl of batter, stir in food coloring, adding more as necessary to reach desired color. The brighter the batter, the deeper the color will be once cooked.

Lightly grease a large griddle over medium-high heat. Pour slightly less than 1/4 cupfuls of batter (with a clean spoon or ladle for each color) onto the griddle. Cook until edges are dry and bubbles begin to form on the surface.

Turn over pancakes and cook until golden brown.

Place cooked pancakes in stacks of alternating colors on each plate. Top with three blackberries on each stack arranged to resemble a crown on top.

Serve and enjoy!

Author: Rosemarie's Kitchen

I'm a wife, mother, grandmother and avid home cook.I believe in eating healthy whenever possible, while still managing to indulge in life's pleasures. View all posts by Rosemarie's Kitchen