Shrove Tuesday (also known as Pancake Day, Pancake Tuesday, Fat Tuesday, and Mardi Gras) is a term used in English-speaking countries, especially the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Philippines, and parts of the United States for the day preceding Ash Wednesday, the first day of the season of fasting and prayer called Lent.
The word shrove is the past tense of the English verb to shrive, which means to obtain absolution for one's sins by way of confession and doing penance. During the week before Lent, sometimes called Shrovetide in English, Christians were expected to go to confession in preparation for the penitential season of turning to God. Shrove Tuesday was the last day before the beginning of Lent on Ash Wednesday, and noted in histories dating back to 1000 AD. 
In the United Kingdom and many other countries, the day is often known as Pancake Day. Making and eating such foods was considered a last feast with ingredients such as sugar, fat and eggs, whose consumption was traditionally restricted during the ritual fasting associated with Lent.
A pancake race
On Pancake Day, pancake races are held in villages and towns across the United Kingdom. The tradition is said to have originated when a housewife from Olney was so busy making pancakes that she forgot the time until she heard the church bells ringing for the service. She raced out of the house to church while still carrying her frying pan and pancake. The pancake race remains a relatively common festive tradition in the UK, and England in particular, even today. Participants with frying pans race through the streets tossing pancakes into the air, catching them in the pan whilst running.
Pancakes are closely related to French crepes and are very easy to make. Why don't you try the pancake recipe?
Ingredients:
• 2 cups all-purpose flour, stirred or sifted before measuring
• 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 large eggs
• 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 cups milk
• 2 tablespoons melted butter
Preparation:
Sift together flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt. In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs and 1 1/2 cups of milk; add to flour mixture, stirring only until smooth. Blend in melted butter. If the batter seems too thick to pour, add a little more milk. Cook on a hot, greased griddle, using about 1/4 cup of batter for each pancake. Cook until bubbly, a little dry around the edges, and lightly browned on the bottom; turn and brown the other side. Recipe for pancakes serves 4.
To find more information about Pancake recipes go to:
- http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/good-old-fashioned-pancakes/Detail.aspx
- http://allrecipes.com/Recipes/breakfast-and-brunch/pancakes/Main.aspx
- http://www.thepancakerecipe.com/
- http://southernfood.about.com/od/pancakesandwaffles/r/bl30320v.htm
- http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/basicpancakeswithsuga_66226
Pancake race
The most famous pancake race at Olney in Buckinghamshire, has been held since 1445. The contestants, traditionally women, carry a frying pan and race to the finishing line while tossing the pancakes as they go. The winner is the first to cross the line having tossed the pancake a certain number of times. Traditionally, when men want to participate, they must dress up as a housewife (usually an apron and a bandanna).
Nowadays these events are often held to raise money for charity.
To find more about PANCAKE DAY:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/8369203/Parliamentary-pancake-race.html
http://www.digitalnewsagency.com/stories/2361-learn-how-to-create-the-perfect-pancake-with-help-from-celebrity-chef-phil-vickery
http://www.learnenglish.de/Temp/March/ShroveTuesday.htm
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