There are still a few weeks left to go until you can get your frying pans at the ready and invent delicious concoctions in your kitchens yet... But it's nearly time to head to the shops for supplies. That's right, Shrove Tuesday, aka Pancake Day , is nearly on the horizon.
On Tuesday February 9, people up and down the country will be dashing out for milk and sugar, and trying not to flip pancakes onto their ceilings.
But if you're sick of the standard lemon and sugar delicacies and want to try something new, here are some great alternative recipes and fillings to try (and a standard recipe for good measure).
Perfect Pancake Recipe by Tesco (serves 12)
Ingredients
150g of plain flour
Two medium eggs
300ml of semi-skimmed milk
One and a half tablespoons of olive oil
Method
1) Sift the flour into a large bowl and make a well in the centre. Crack the eggs into the well and whisk, drawing in the flour from the sides of the bowl. Gradually add the milk and continue whisking, until you have a smooth batter. Leave to stand for 30 minutes.
2) Meanwhile, line a baking tray with nonstick baking paper. Preheat the oven to gas 1/4, 110°C, 90°C fan.
3) Brush a 20cm frying pan with a little oil and warm on the hob, over medium heat. Add a tbsp of the batter to the pan, tipping gently until it coats the base in a thin layer. Cook for one to two minutes, or until golden, then carefully flip the pancake over and cook the underside for one minute more.
4) Transfer to the prepared baking tray and keep warm in the oven. Repeat to make 12 pancakes, adding a little more oil to the pan before each addition.
5) Serve with your favourite topping.
Alternative recipes
Chef Sophie Michell has created some delicious alternative pancake recipes as part of a campaign with Chilean Blueberries to show people how to create delicious pancakes that are different to the traditional lemon and sugar pancakes that we often have on Shrove Tuesday.
Blueberries are low in sugar so they make the perfect sweetener for health conscious people who want to sweeten their pancakes without overdosing on sugar and calories.
This selection of four delicious recipes include a mixture of savoury and sweet pancakes, as well as a gluten free option.
Spelt and vanilla blueberry pancakes with Agave syrup
This is Sophie's favourite type of pancake, fluffy light and packed full of zingy flavour and superfood goodness with the blueberries.
To make them even healthier she has used Spelt flour, which is easier to digest than wheat flour and she has sweetened them with a touch of lower GI agave syrup.
Blueberry Buckwheat Crepes with Greek yoghurt and blueberry Lemon compote
This recipe is gluten free and makes a delicious dessert or a luxurious breakfast for those with a sweet tooth. She has used blueberries to add amazing flavour and stunning colour.
Blueberry feta hotcakes with bacon and honey
This is a sweet savoury recipes that is very moreish. The salty feta and blueberries work really well together and the crunchy bacon and sweet honey take it to the next level. This is an ideal breakfast or brunch dish
Blueberry Blinis with whipped goats cheese and blueberry, black pepper chutney
These blinis are great little nibbles to have before dinner or as a snack. The blueberry and black pepper chutney is a quick and tasty recipe and the chutney can be used for all sorts of dishes, baked hams, duck, pates and many cheeses
Here's our guide to the best places to pick up a pancake in west London.
