Pancakes (Alle Belle)

The Tuesday before the season of fasting can begin is called by many names in different parts of the world : Pancake Tuesday, Shrove Tuesday, Mardi Gras, Fat Tuesday all refer to the same day. Basically, it is a chance to indulge.

These Pancakes made for ‘Shrove Tuesday’ are usually colourful on the outside and moist with coconut and palm jaggery filling on the inside.

These are served alongside tea in the evenings in Goan households. I first learnt to make these from my mother-in-law. She makes the most amazing pancakes I have ever tasted. When she makes them, we just cannot stop at one. They are so juicy on the inside that you need to keep one hand below your mouth while you munch them, to stop the filling from dripping on your clothes.

So, these are made a day before ‘Lent Season’ begins. It is a season of fasting and abstinence. Lent begins on ‘Ash Wednesday’ so the previous day these are made. Interestingly, the day is called ‘Pancake Tuesday’.

In the ancient times, not just meat but all animal products, were banned during Lent. Hence, Christians made pancakes on Fat Tuesday to use up their supply of butter, milk, and eggs before Lent.

Let’s take a look on how they are made. Very few ingredients are needed and it is rather simple to prepare.

Ingredients :

For the Batter :

2 cups Flour
½ cup Milk
1 Egg
pinch of Salt
½ tsp Baking powder

For the stuffing :

Freshly grated coconut
Palm jaggery
Cardamom powder
A pinch of salt

Method :

In the original recipe palm jaggery is used, but it can also be made with sugarcane jaggery.
Start making the stuffing by cooking grated coconut, jaggery and a pinch of salt till it comes together add some cardamom powder.
Prepare the batter using all the ingredients, it should be thin.
In a pan, grease some butter, pour the batter and swirl it. Cook it both sides then remove from the pan.
Place a tsp of filling and close it.
Serve warm with tea.