Monday, February 24, 2020

February Ends and March Begins Pancakes And Daffodils

February is ending... and it has been a mild one here...a lot of bulbs and heathers are blooming here already...
 I love this cute illustration by Dutch artist Marjolein Bastin of a cue little Hedgehog with the tulips and grape hyacinths... a sure sign of spring approaching.

Pancake Day is on Tuesday February 25th this year... also known in the US as Shrove Tuesday or Fat Tuesday or the beginning of Lent before Easter, but celebrated by many in the UK with pancakes...

There are even pancake races in various villages... went to one once, quite fun!


photo and recipe from GreatBritishChefs

1

Mix the flour and salt in a large mixing bowl, make a well in the middle of the flour and crack in the eggs. Mix to combine, then gradually whisk in the milk and water until you have a smooth batter

  • 4 oz of plain flour
  • 1 pinch of salt
  • 2 eggs
  • 6 3/4 fl oz of milk
  • 2 1/2 fl oz of water
  •  1 3/4 oz of butter

2
Place a frying pan over a medium heat and add a knob of butter. Add a thin layer of batter to coat the base of the pan, cook until the bottom of the pancake is golden then flip over and cook the other side

3
Once the pancake is cooked, remove from the pan and drain off any excess butter. Repeat the process until all of the batter is used up


4

Serve the pancakes immediately, finished with a sprinkling of caster sugar and a good squeeze of lemon juice 
Pancakes in the UK are a bit thicker than, but similar to crepes...
and traditionally... in our family at least... served with lemon juice and powdered sugar like the photo above...


March 1st is St. Davis's... or Dayffd's Day, the patron saint of Wales...
St. David is the patron saint of Wales, which is a part of the United Kingdom. Prince Charles is the heir to the English throne and is called the Prince Of Wales...


Daffodils and Leeks are the symbols of Wales.

 I will be making Welsh Cakes, sort of a cross between a pancake and a crumprt, and delicious!


photo and recipe from GreatBritishChefs

1
Mix the flour and salt in a large mixing bowl, make a well in the middle of the flour and crack in the eggs. Mix to combine, then gradually whisk in the milk and water until you have a smooth batter
  • 4 oz of plain flour
  • 1 pinch of salt
  • 2 eggs
  • 6 3/4 fl oz of milk
  • 2 1/2 fl oz of water
2
Place a frying pan over a medium heat and add a knob of butter. Add a thin layer of batter to coat the base of the pan, cook until the bottom of the pancake is golden then flip over and cook the other side
  • 1 3/4 oz of butter
3
Once the pancake is cooked, remove from the pan and drain off any excess butter. Repeat the process until all of the batter is used up
4
Serve the pancakes immediately, finished with a sprinkling of caster sugar and a good squeeze of lemon juice


https://timewasantiques.net/products/shelley-wileman-dainty-creamer-arms-of-wales-dragons-jug

I didn't have a lot with a Welsh theme for St. David's Day, but remembered I had this Shelley China, England rested China souvenir creamer...

https://timewasantiques.net/products/shelley-wileman-dainty-creamer-arms-of-wales-dragons-jug

The creamer features the coat of arms of Wales..so that is appropriate!
The creamer is in the Dainty shape, and is hand applied enamel colors on black transferware.
Crested China meant that it had some sort of of symbol, landmark or coat of arms. They were very popular Victorian and Edwardian souvenirs and were made by several potteries, although Shelley made the best quality items.

https://timewasantiques.net/products/shelley-wileman-dainty-creamer-arms-of-wales-dragons-jug?_pos=1&_sid=e8f982317&_ss=r

The mark identifies it a Wileman, which made Shelley starting a few years later. This creamer has the Rd#, or British Design Registry number for 1896, meaning that is when the design was registered, so we know it can't have been made any earlier than that.
The Foley China at the top means it was made at the Foley Pottery Wileman had in the district of Foley in Stoke-on-Trent...like Limoges isn't a specific pottery, but a city that potters worked in.

Have a lovely week... and drink lots of tea with friends and enjoy spring!


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