Tuck in to pancakes on a day of crepe expectations

IT’S Pancake Day and, if you’re like me, you love ‘em.

I don’t know if they’re particularly nutritious (I’ll look it up) but they do make a satisfying meal.

As kids, we used to eat them with treacle but not many larders have tins of Tate & Lyle’s finest these days, and anyway that’s a sugar bomb.

I scoff mine with slices of fresh orange, squeezed until not quite dry so you can then gnaw the flesh from the peel. Sounds disgusting but it’s most gratifying. Mrs R prefers sugar, and sometimes butter, but she’ll stoop to the odd orange if the mood takes. Something for everyone, here.

Historically, we eat pancakes on Shrove Tuesday to use up all the eggs, fat and milk before starting the 40 days fasting of

Lent. Christians were called to church with a shriving bell to confess their sins and be “shriven”. Not much demand for that these days but pancakes are still eaten at home and in restaurants.

You can order Crepes Suzette in posh joints, made with Grand Marnier liqueur.

Legend says the flammable dish was wrongly ignited by a young chef at the Cafe de Paris, in Monte Carlo, and the spectacle was spotted by dinner guest the then Prince of Wales and future King

Edward VII, who named the dish after a pretty girl at his table. Par for the course.

A rival story claims they are named after Parisian actress Suzanne Reichenberg, stage name Suzette, who was served hot crepes flambes during a play to keep the food warm and excite the audience.

Either way, a waste of good liquor. And beware, too many carb-rich pancakes will boost your blood sugar levels and may be bad for your health. That’s what the nutritionists say, but enjoy today!