Below is a list of countries and how they prepare their pancakes. I found it interesting how each country does this same "flat round" with a different spin.
International Pancakes
America (USA): We believe that American style pancakes are particularly thick or fluffy, and best served with Vermont maple syrup and butter. Some American cooks add a little vanilla, while others add blueberries; most also add baking powder to create their 'griddlecakes'.
Canada: Canadian pancakes are moister than American ones but still served with maple syrup.
China: Chinese pancakes are fried in sesame oil and are apparently superb with duck.
Finland: Finnish pancakes are ideal for people with a sweet tooth, these should be served with jam, whipped cream, berries, cinnamon and sugar, honey or maple syrup.
France: Will can support the fact that the French excel at crepes [sweet] and galettes [savoury] and often served with a bowl of local cider.
Germany: The Germans tend to make apple pancakes which are baked in the oven. They also have 'Puff' pancakes, which look like English 'Yorkshire Puddings'.
Korean pancakes
Korea:Made with just a few ingredients, and they're very adaptable to any leftover vegetables and meat or seafood too. They're a little like omelets: try any combinations that sound good to you. The basic batter has eggs, oil, rice flour, and regular flour
India: Indian pancakes sound scrummy; savoury pancakes are prepared with ginger, garlic and cayenne. Mung beans may also be part of the recipe.
Italy: Calzonia are common in Italy, they are more like an enclosed pizza than an English pancake.
Mexico: The renowned Mexican pancake equivalent is the wheat tortilla; Will has also eaten them made from maize [cornmeal].
Netherlands: 'Flensjes' are crepe cakes, usually made with apples and occasionally rhubarb.
Nigeria: Nigerian pancakes are often served with beans, tomatoes and shrimp, making a complete meal.
Norway: 'Krumkakes' are thin, crisp, cone-shaped cookie-like crepes, often served at Christmas. They are sometimes made with a special flat iron which leaves a decorative pattern.
Poland: Will and Guy's friend, Kinga Sadkowska, tells them that Polish pancakes, 'Nalesniki', are thin crepes which are usually served with a special cottage cheese filling. Lovely.
Russia: The regular Russian the pancake of choice is the 'blini': which is small and thick, ideal with sour cream or caviar.
Russia: The regular Russian the pancake of choice is the 'blini': which is small and thick, ideal with sour cream or caviar.
Sweden: The Swedish Raggmunk is made from riced potatoes.
Welsh: The Welsh make their pancakes with buttermilk or sour cream.
Resource:http://www.guy-sports.com/humor/saints/shrove_tuesday.htm
Recipe for Good Old Fashioned Pancakes
Ingredients1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon white sugar
1 1/4 cups milk
1 egg
3 tablespoons butter, melted
1.In a large bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, salt and sugar. Make a well in the center and pour in the milk, egg and melted butter; mix until smooth.
2.Heat a lightly oiled griddle or frying pan over medium high heat. Pour or scoop the batter onto the griddle, using approximately 1/4 cup for each pancake. Brown on both sides and serve hot.
Use Maple syrup and other toppings of choice! Enjoy!
***Remember that it's Easter that fixes the date for Shrove Tuesday. Therefore working backwards, we have Lent with its 40 days of fasting before we get to Easter. Now Lent starts on Ash Wednesday, so the day before is when cooks use up all the 'naughty foods'. In the olden days two 'naughty foods', which are not allowed in Lent, would be butter and eggs - ideal for making pancakes. Hence Shrove Tuesday, or Pancake Day.
Curiously, when calculating Lent, Sundays don't count, hence Shrove Tuesday is actually 47 days before Easter Sunday.
