Pancakes Three Ways

With Shrove Tuesday fast approaching many people are preparing for Lent, filling up on the things that they will be giving up. Though I'm Christian I've never observed Lent as it's not a biblical requirement, however, I try to fast occasionally throughout the year.

This time of year is probably one of the most important in the Christian calender as we reflect on the sacrifice that Christ made for the world. For many Lent is a time for them to reflect on their own lives, and giving up their favourite treats is one of the ways in which they do this.

One of the many treats to be consumed before this period will of course be pancakes. There are an array of pancake recipes out there, many of which may have been handed down through families with each generation adding their own twist.

This is the first time that I've actually put together a recipe for pancakes, usually I do it by eye. As it is my first outing into the world of pancakes recipes, I thought, why stop at just one? Why not whip up three? I was going to go for four, but that would have been overkill.

                   

  

The pancake recipe itself is the same for all three flavours, just divide the batter into three and add the necessary ingredients.

So here's what you'll need: makes approx. 15 pancakes 5 for each flavour.

200g self raising flour
100g castor sugar
approx. 175ml of milk
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
Butter

Banoffee Pancakes
1/2 - 1 banana
Toffee sauce to taste

Strawberry Pancakes
approx. 400g strawberries
1 tbsp sugar or to taste

Blueberry Pancakes
approx 300g blueberries
1 tbsp sugar or to taste

Here's what you'll need to do:

For all pancakes

1. Combine the flour and sugar in a bowl

2. Mix the milk, egg and vanilla extract together in a separate bowl.

3. Make a well in the center of the flour and sugar, then pour the egg and milk mix into it.

4. Mix all the ingredients until everything is combined. Then divide the batter into three. 

For the banoffee pancakes

1. Mash the banana and add it to the pancake mix along with the toffee sauce to taste.

For the strawberry pancakes

1. Place half the strawberries in a blender and blend until the strawberries have been pureed. Add the sugar and blend again, if the strawberry puree is too tart add more sugar.

2. Add the pureed strawberry to the pancake mix to get your desired taste and consistency.

3. Chop the remaining strawberries into small pieces and add to the pancake mix.

For the blueberry pancakes

1. Place approx. 200g of the blueberries in a pan with enough water to almost cover them. Bring the water to boil over a medium to high heat, then simmer for about 10 - 15 minutes.

2. Using a slotted spoon, place the blueberries in a blender and blend until pureed. Add the sugar and some of the blueberry water, if you want a thinner consistency, and blend again.

3. Add the pureed blueberries to the pancake mix to get your desired taste and consistency.  Add the remaining blueberries to the mix.

For all pancakes cont.

5. Place a frying pan over a low to medium heat. When the pan is hot enough, add a small amount of butter.

6. When the butter has melted, spoon a small amount of pancake mix into the pan. When bubbles form on the top of the pancake, flip it over. The other side should be ready in approx. 1 minute. The strawberry and blueberry pancakes may take a little longer. Keep the pancakes warm until the batter has been used up.

Top with more fruit and sauce or puree if desired

Eat and enjoy.