Ask most people what it is all about and you won't get much reaction to Ash Wednesday, Shrove Tuesday or that it all started with beginning fasting.

It is about getting ready for the fast and using up all your eggs flour and milk in a nutritious and filling way to prepare for Lent.

Ask someone on the street and 10 out of 10 times they'll probably scream, "Oh my gawd. I've got no lemon juice."

In the UK, there is a much-loved tradition of making and eating pancakes on Shrove Tuesday, which falls between February 2 and March 9, depending on the date for Easter. Shrove Tuesday ('shrove' stems from old English word 'shrive', meaning 'confess all sins') is the day before Lent - which incidentally means both 'spring' and 'goodbye to meat'.

So Shrove Tuesday was cleverly invented to use up the ingredients that were given up for Lent - milk, butter and, particularly, eggs - which may not be eaten again until Easter.

I make a stack of pancakes the size of the Empire State Building. But we have around 6 / 7 different sweet and savoury accompaniments. From the faithful old retainers of caster sugar and fresh lemon juice', to one of my all time faves of sautéed mushrooms with gruyere cheese and parsley.

Cherries and ice cream, the classic soufflé pancakes which are easier to make than they sound, American style with crisp bacon and maple syrup, crepe suzettes - the list goes on and on.

Read Nick's full blog and check out the pancake recipes on his website. Link below.