Topic of the day (well, of tomorrow)

[ina]

But - why that day? And why pancakes? Is it in aid of something? Nothing against pancakes, I like them once in a while, but...
(Sorry, that's me being too pernickety. I always want to know a reason. I mean, if certain persons or a family stuff themselves with pancakes because they like them, fair enough. But why does the entire country go pancake mad at one particular day?)

[shiney]

I think it's the stuffing out before the fast, leading up to Lent or something like that. I am not that religious, but I think that's what it's all about.

[Millymollymandy]

I have no idea either, and I rarely bother with pancakes on Pancake Day (mostly cos I miss it!), but I feel in the mood to make some big fat American ones slathered with maple syrup............

[Wombat]

Love the smiley!

[Shirley]

spot on shiney - and I'm not religious either...

Now... embarrassed to say that I didn't spot this on the home page of the main site but there is a fab valentine's day article with loads of excellent ideas for celebrating Valentine's day in a great selfsufficientish style.... I've now set it as my Home Page so every time I open a new window I get SSISH there

[Andy Hamilton]

That's good to hear

I thought that pancakes were about using the last things up in your cupboard before lent and we all have maple syrup, flour, eggs, a little oil and some milk and nothing else in our cupboards just beofore lent.

Maybe we could get the people who are religious to give up something good for lent. (or perhaps we all could) like gice up leaving your TV on standby, Throwing anything away (could it be done), driving a car or whatever. Perhaps there is an article in the waiting with this one.

[ina]

Funny you didn't mention alcohol...

How was your Valentine's dinner then? And did you wear the bread bag???

[shiney]

IF I remember I do try and give something up...usually crisps or chocolate!

[ina]

I've not had any of that for a while anyway... Not much left to give up. Porridge?

[Shirley]

you CAN'T give up porridge Ina... lol... a crime to do that in Scotland...

cheese!!!

[Andy Hamilton]

seemed to forget the bread bag Went well carrot and avacado soup for starter, then a potato bake, and chocolate ice cream for pud. No booze, feeling a bit out of sorts at the moment.

I have given up air travel for lent. - good to give up something that you don't do anyway

[ina]

No, I won't give up porridge... Although I rather like it. But it's a good and cheap staple. I've cut down dramatically on cheese, too - and as I don't eat meat or fish, I think I should have some animal protein. But it's an idea; I could just eat more yoghurt.

And Andy , that carrot and avocado soup sounds interesting - can we have the recipe, please?

[Andy Hamilton]

Carrots on the brain for some reason, I meant spinach and avacado-

fry onions and garlic for a bit in butter. then chop up (an skin) an avacado and throw that in. add a chilli - fry it all, add a bit of stock, whizz up with a blender adding milk or cream depending on waistline Thats it.

Er not sure about measures - one avacado and couple of handsfull of spinach, probally a pint of stock.

[ina]

Thanks - but you forgot to add the spinach to the pan . I suppose that goes in after the onion and garlic?

Sounds nice, anyway. I've only ever eaten avocado raw.

[Andy Hamilton]

after the avacado actually, does not need much time at all.