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Multi-faceted Maslenitsa: seven pancake recipes from different countries
Maslenitsa is one of our favorite holidays, leading from the depths of time. However, other peoples love it no less. How is the celebration of Maslenitsa in different countries of the world? And what kind of pancakes are prepared there for the glory of spring?
A pancake with the soul of a dranik
One of the main attractions on Shrovetide is skiing from the ice slide. In the old days, it was believed that the further the young mistress drove on a sleigh, the richer the flax crop would be. A constant sports tradition in Belarus on Maslenitsa is tug-of-war. And it is unthinkable without delicious potato pancakes. Mix 6 raw grated potatoes with 2½ cups of kefir, 1 cup of flour, 3 cloves of garlic, salt and spices to taste. Pour in 4 tablespoons of vegetable oil, ½ tsp of soda slaked with vinegar and knead the dough — from it and we will fry the pancakes. A simple, but very tasty treat will appeal to the whole family.
Roll with cottage cheese secret
How do they celebrate Maslenitsa in Ukraine? An ancient custom prescribes to enclose bachelors in wooden blocks, which can be removed by buying off a treat. There are in Ukraine the customs of Maslenitsa, which are well known to us, for example, mother-in-law’s evenings and sister-in-law’s gatherings. The place of honor on them is occupied by the leaves with cottage cheese. Knead the dough from 1 liter of milk, 4 eggs, 80 g of sugar, 8 tbsp. l. flour, salt and fry the pancakes. Rub 1 kg of cottage cheese with 170 g of sugar, mix 2 yolks and 100 g of raisins. We form pancakes with a filling in the form of tubes or envelopes and, greased with oil, put them in the oven for an hour at 80°C. So they will turn red and get an amazing aroma.
Letters of well-fed happiness
Bun Barekendan, or Armenian Maslenitsa, has been celebrated since ancient times with wide feasts right on the city squares. Among other things, they invariably served matsun curdled milk and katnow rice porridge. And the pancakes were always with meat. Beat 4 eggs with 10 g of sugar, add 350 g of flour with a pinch of salt and stir in 1 liter of milk. As usual, fry the pancakes in a hot frying pan with oil. We pass 1 kg of beef with 3 onions through a meat grinder, salt and pepper to taste, fry in butter. Roll the pancakes with minced meat into envelopes and brown them in the same pan. With such a hearty treat, seeing off the winter will become even tastier.
Apple amber in scrolls
In which countries do Europeans celebrate Shrovetide? The French usually go on picnics, taking with them onion pies, veal snacks. The most popular pancake recipe for Shrovetide is, of course, crepes. Mix 80 g of flour, 2 tablespoons of sugar, a pinch of salt, pour in 350 ml of milk. Add 3 eggs, 60 g of butter and beat the dough with a mixer. For the filling, caramelize 4 apples in butter cubes, adding 60 ml of cognac, 100 g of sugar and ½ tsp of cinnamon. Pancake tubes with apples will love even those who are indifferent to sweets.
Greek spring in colors
Apokries, Shrovetide in Greece, is celebrated for three weeks. The culmination of the celebrations is a colorful carnival procession with round dances, scarecrow dances and ritual bonfires. And the Greeks are willing to eat pancakes with feta. The dough for them is kneaded from 250 g of flour, 3 eggs, 2 tbsp. l. sugar, a pinch of salt and a glass of milk. Beat it with a mixer to a smooth consistency and start frying pancakes. Then chop 150 g of boiled chicken fillet, ½ bunch of green onions and mix with 300 g of feta. We spread the filling on the pancakes and fold the envelopes. This snack will fit seamlessly into your Shrovetide menu.
Pancake race with obstacles
The strangest tradition is the English town of Olney, where pancake races are held on Shrovetide. Only local women from the age of 18 are allowed to participate. The winner is the one who first runs from the main square to the church, while tossing a pancake in a frying pan. A much quieter custom is fairs with lush, ruddy pancakes. Mix 3 egg yolks, 300 ml of milk and 130 g of flour, add 3 whipped whites with 3 tablespoons of sugar and a pinch of vanilla. Pour in 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil and, thoroughly whipping, fry the pancakes. Pour a stack of pancakes with honey or jam, and they will become even more appetizing.
Chocolate candy for kings
Americans also love Shrovetide, and the Mardi Gras festival in New Orleans is the best proof of this. There is a grand carnival with the election of the king and queen of Maslenitsa and the burning of the winter totem. The main dessert on the menu is rich sweet pancakes. Rub 2 eggs with 100 g of sugar, gradually introduce 400 ml of milk, puree of 2 bananas and 400 g of flour with 2 tsp baking powder. Knead the thick dough and pour out 200 g of cocoa, mix thoroughly. Fry thick, dense pancakes like pancakes. To make the sweetmeats completely lose their head, serve them with maple syrup, nut paste or melted chocolate.
Pancakes with a national twist may well add to your culinary collection. In return, we offer to tell you about your favorite pancake recipes for Shrovetide, without which you can not imagine this wonderful holiday in your family.