It’s Shrove Tuesday – the day before Lent begins. So I put everyone in our white Mini-Van (her name is Vanna-White and she roll seven deep) and we went to the International House of Pancakes (IHOP) for our pre-Lenten feast. Yum.

I haven’t been to IHOP in awhile. Let me say, they are pushing the limits of breakfast to a new extreme. If you think that I’m referring to the Rooty Tooty Fresh and Fruity, then you’re wrong. I’m talking about French Toast filled with cinnamon cream cheese sugar frosting. And let’s not forget the crepes filled with Nutella. Say what?

Anyway, back to pancakes. In England and many other countries, Shrove Tuesday is sometimes called “Pancake Day.” Traditionally, making pancakes on the day before Lent was a way to rid the house of sugar, fat, and eggs – a sign of fasting and abstinence. Being Anglophiles, we roll out with pancakes every year on Shrove Tuesday…usually for dinner.

Last year, I celebrated by pouring Irish Stout beer (that I brewed myself) onto pancakes – which was surprisingly fantastic. My suspicion is that IHOP has not yet discovered this amazing combination. If IHOP ever gets a liquor license, look out. I may have to sell them my recipe.

“Welcome to IHOP. Can I interest you in some Nutella crepes or our brand new Irish Stout Hotcakes?”

Top of the morning to ya!

Please read: Fat Tuesday: Pancakes and Irish Stout