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“(Tuesday) is Fat Tuesday, and of course, this being America, it will be followed by Even Fatter Wednesday, Obese Thursday and Fat-A** Friday.” –Jay Leno
How much do you love a holiday that has as it’s main objective encouraging you to pig out? I’m talking about Fat Tuesday, of course, which just happens to be today. Or perhaps in this politically correct day and age, we should call it “big-boned Tuesday” or possibly “full-figured Tuesday”. You may also know this celebration as Mardi Gras ( French translation: Mardi – Tuesday, Gras – fat), Shrove Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday, Paczki Day and Pancake Day. (I’m going to take the prerogative to completely ignore the whole bead throwing/flashing aspect of the holiday. Sorry guys!)
So how in the world did Fat Tuesday come to be known as Pancake Day? If you have no clue, well don’t feel bad, because until last night I had no clue either. Thank goodness for google. It seems that as medieval Christians were about to enter into the season of Lent (which is the period of 40 days of prayer, penitence, and self-denial leading up to Easter) they would enjoy one last day of feasting. On this day they would use up their eggs, butter, sugar and milk – all of which were forbidden during Lent – by making pancakes and pastries.
Over the years this tradition has evolved into Pancake day. In my house, Fat Tuesday gives us an official reason to pig out on pancakes, bacon and hash browns. For me specifically, it’s an excuse to make an easy and delicious dinner that everyone loves.
So in the spirit of Fat Tuesday, I have three delicious syrup recipes for you to look through. Give one a try for your Pancake Day Celebration. If you don’t already celebrate Fat Tuesday, well, there’s no time like the present.
Magleby’s Buttermilk Syrup
(So unbelievably delicious, once you try it, you may never be able to use store bought syrup again!)
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Ingredients:
1 cube butter
1 cup sugar
1 cup buttermilk
1 Tbsp. vanilla
1 Tbsp. corn syrup
1/2 tsp. baking soda
Directions:
Bring first five ingredients to a boil. Remove from heat immediately and add Baking Soda. To avoid boil over, use a large pan.
Homemade Maple Syrup
Ingredients:
1 ½ cups of brown sugar, packed.
¾ cup of water.
1 tablespoon of margarine or butter.
½ teaspoon of maple flavoring.
Pinch of salt.
Directions:
In a suitably sized saucepan, mix the sugar, water, margarine/butter and salt.
Over a medium heat, heat to boiling, stirring continually.
Remove from heat, then stir in the maple flavoring.
Cheater Pancake Syrup
Ingredients:
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 cup water
1/2 teaspoon maple flavored extract
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions
In a saucepan, combine the white sugar, brown sugar and water. Bring to a boil, and cook for about 3 minutes. Stir in the maple extract and vanilla, and remove form the heat. Let cool, and serve at room temperature. Store in a sealed container in the refrigerator.
