Pancakes are the dishes that are like almost everything. In one form or another pancakes are present in most national cuisines of different nations, although the tradition of cooking and serving pancakes in different countries can vary significantly. What is the secret of the popularity of this ancient cuisine logged in proverbs and sayings?

A little history

It's hard to say exactly who and where was the first pancake baked, but scientists believe that it happened in ancient times, long before the invention of the wheel. Homeland pancakes called Ancient Egypt and Ancient China, and many scientists believe that the first attempt was baked by the biblical King David, who was handing out all of "pancake dovetail» at the festival.

There are many recipes for this dish - from simple everyday to gourmet holiday. However, all of the traditional pancakes are round and are prepared with enough batter is poured onto the hot skillet. Among the most widespread of the Slavic peoples pancakes from yeast dough Yeast dough And in Western Europe and the East prefer fresh pancakes.

Until now actively used the expression "pancakes", although nowadays they do not bake and roast on the fire. Previously, pancakes baked it in the oven, using only iron pans.

Varieties of pancakes

Pancakes are usually called thin dough products, fried in a pan on both sides. The dough for these products should be the consistency of sour cream Smetana: untold riches of Russian cuisine . From a thick dough is prepared pancakes - small lush cakes, fried in oil. Unlike pancakes, pancakes often served with sweet fillings syrups, jams, honey and condensed milk. Pancake batter, on the contrary, must be liquid. As a rule, thin pancakes stuffed using different savory or sweet fillings.

"Pancake" tradition

In the Slavic peoples of the pancakes it is not just the favorite dish, but also actively used in various rituals. Pancakes accompanied man throughout his life. They give new mothers, served at weddings, funeral rites without pancakes, too, would have been unthinkable. Pancakes symbolized man's connection with the world beyond the grave. According to an old tradition, and to this day the first pancake is baked for All Souls. In "SATURDAY" pancakes made to put on the graves of their parents. It was believed that baking pancakes to the wake, people are "baked" for the souls of the deceased. The ritual used exclusively for yeast pancakes.

A wedding without a stack of pancakes too rosy was unthinkable. Young fed pancakes after the wedding night, and the mother-in-law everywhere treated their pancakes at the end of the wedding. It was believed that it would make more gentle in-law, will help him "primaslitsya" to his young wife. Brides who want to get power over the man, trying to take away pancakes.

Somewhere along the way as a young husband eats pancakes judged that if he went to the chaste bride if she had not kept her virginity before the wedding, her husband bites through a hole in the middle of the pancake and gave a mother-pancake.

Since the round shape of a pancake and golden color reminiscent of the sun, active pancakes were used at various festivals dedicated to the arrival of spring, for example, the bottom of the Spring Sun's. The most famous such a holiday and to this day is Mardi Gras. Throughout Pancake Week pancakes prepared daily and used in large quantities. Because tradition says that the more pancakes will be eaten on Shrove Tuesday, the richer and more successful will be the year.

It is noteworthy that the pancakes were widely used not only for food but also for a variety of divination. It was believed that if a girl puts on the reptile's head salty pancake, the divination Divination: guess - guessing?   It will certainly come true. A less radical way - to put the damn "good luck" in his bosom.

In European countries considered most pancakes everyday dish, but the traditions associated with pancakes, there and there. So, in a sinful Tuesday (the last Tuesday before the start of the Catholic Lent) on medieval tradition to hold the race with pancakes. You must reach the finish line, tossing and flipping pancakes in a frying pan (not a simple matter, especially on the run). Done pancake eliminated from the competition. Legend has it that this tradition came in 1444, when a woman in England she heard the bells ringing, calling the church at the service, at a time when baked pancakes. She had to flee to the church directly with a pancake in a frying pan, and the sight was so pleased townspeople that such competitions have been held annually. The reward is a kiss in their ringer. Even in England the competition is held on Pitching pancakes on a griddle on speed.

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