Why pancakes are an important part of Maslenitsa. Why do they bake pancakes on Maslenitsa? Pancakes on the water

Ruddy, crispy, generously greased pancakes are an indispensable element of Maslenitsa and a symbol of this holiday. According to Russian traditions, pancakes are baked for future use, for the whole week - and the more there are, the richer the family will live.

So why are pancakes baked on Maslenitsa? It is not difficult to guess that such a seemingly simple dish has a deep meaning hidden. First you need to understand the etymology: the word “pancake” comes from the Old Russian “mlyn”, which means “to grind”. It’s logical, since pancakes are made from flour, which must first be ground. But the shape itself and the yellow color of the pancakes symbolize the sun. In ancient times, our ancestors had a whole cult of worship of the luminary: the main deity in the pagan mythology of the ancient Slavs was Yarilo, the sun god.

How to cook pancakes for Maslenitsa

The recipe for pancakes is quite simple, but in order for pancakes for Maslenitsa to turn out rosy and satisfying, it is important to follow a number of simple rules. Firstly, the pancake flour must be thoroughly sifted, and only then can the dough be kneaded. Secondly, before pouring the dough, the frying pan must be very well heated and greased with oil or a piece of lard.

There are countless recipes for Maslenitsa pancakes: yeast, Russian, with milk, with sour cream, with a chorus, and so on.

How to bake yeast pancakes with milk

You will need:

Milk - 1 l

Flour - 500 g

Eggs - 2 pcs

Yeast - 1 sachet

Sugar - 2 tbsp. spoons

Salt - 0.5 tsp.

Vegetable oil - 1 tbsp. spoon

Divide a pound of flour into two parts and add sugar and yeast to the first. Stir and pour warm milk into the mixture. Set the mixture aside for 40 minutes and wait for it to rise. At this time, separate the yolks from the whites. Mix the yolks with salt and butter, and beat the whites with a mixer.

The next step is to add the rest of the flour and yolks to the first mixture and wait until the dough rises. Then pour the whites into it and mix gently. Bake pancakes in a hot frying pan and grease with butter.

How to cook pancakes with sour cream

Take:

Sour cream – 300 g

Flour - 1.5 cups

Eggs - 3 eggs

Milk - 0.5 cups

Sugar - 2 tbsp. spoons

Oil - 100 g

First, beat the eggs with sour cream, sugar and salt, mix this mixture with flour, and knead thoroughly. Otherwise, the recipe for the dish is no different from classic pancakes. Dough that is too thick can be thinned with milk.

Buckwheat pancakes recipe

For buckwheat pancakes you will need:

Milk - 0.5 l

Buckwheat flour - 300 g

Eggs - 3 pcs

Wheat flour - 100 g

Vegetable oil - 4 tbsp.

Sugar - 1 teaspoon

Soda - 0.5 teaspoon

Salt - 1 teaspoon

First you need to sift the flour and mix. Separately, beat eggs with sugar, soda and salt. Pour in the milk and stir again. Next, pour the flour into the egg mixture and stir, adding butter. Fry pancakes in a hot frying pan, grease with oil.

What do you eat pancakes with on Maslenitsa?

You can wrap minced meat or pieces of salted fish: salmon, herring or trout in ready-made pancakes. Those with a sweet tooth eat pancakes with boiled condensed milk or honey.

Pancakes for Maslenitsa are a tasty and pleasant tradition. Where did she come from? What does each day mean during Shrovetide week? When is Maslenitsa celebrated in 2017? The answers to all questions are in this material.

Maslenitsa is approaching. Many housewives are already looking for new pancake recipes and buying products to celebrate Pancake Week. Why is it customary to bake pancakes on Maslenitsa?

Maslenitsa 2017

In 2017, Maslenitsa will be held from February 20 to 26. Shrovetide Week (Cheese Week) is considered preparation for Lent. According to Christian customs, it is dedicated to forgiveness of offenses, reconciliation with loved ones, and repentance. This week they do not eat meat, but they are allowed to eat fish and dairy products. It is believed that pancakes, milk, cheese, sour cream and fish should always be on the table at this time.

Shrovetide

Each day of the week on Cheese Week means a certain ritual. On Monday it is customary to celebrate Maslenitsa and bake a lot of pancakes. On Tuesday in Rus' it was customary to enjoy winter games and ride down the slides. On Wednesday, according to tradition, mothers-in-law try to please their beloved sons-in-law by treating them to various pancakes. From Thursday it is allowed to start “wide” Maslenitsa festivities, organize dances and competitions. On Friday, at “mother-in-law’s party,” the son-in-law should receive his mother-in-law as a guest. Saturday is called “sister-in-law’s gatherings” - the daughter-in-law invites her husband’s sisters to visit.

Sunday is “forgiven”. On this day, it is customary to ask each other for forgiveness, as the ancient monks of Palestine did before leaving for the desert during Lent. On Sunday evening, they burn an effigy of Maslenitsa, burning away death and winter, clearing the way for life and spring.

Customs for Maslenitsa

The Slavs have honored the custom of celebrating the end of winter, the arrival of spring and the beginning of agricultural work since ancient times. And a ruddy golden pancake, reminiscent of the sun in shape and color, became its symbol. In addition, pancakes are considered a symbol of a good harvest, healthy children and happy families.

Originally Russian pancakes for Maslenitsa with a sour taste were traditionally baked from buckwheat flour. However, today completely different types of flour are used to make pancakes, of which wheat is especially popular.

You can serve pancakes with butter, sour cream, caviar, honey, fish, cottage cheese. Or you can “get confused” and cook, or

The date of celebration of the ancient Slavic holiday Maslenitsa, symbolizing farewell to winter and the joyful anticipation of spring after the adoption of Christianity, is tied to Orthodox Easter and changes every year.

They begin to celebrate Maslenitsa a week before Lent - the mass festivities last a week and end with Forgiveness Sunday - Maslenitsa week in 2018 begins on February 12 and will last until February 18 inclusive.

Sputnik Georgia asked why pancakes are baked on Maslenitsa, what this custom is connected with, and also prepared delicious recipes for making pancakes for you.

Why are pancakes baked on Maslenitsa?

Pancakes are a symbol of Maslenitsa, which is baked every day during Maslenitsa week - from Monday to Sunday, but especially a lot starting from Thursday.

Despite the fact that absolutely everyone follows this tradition, few have wondered why pancakes began to symbolize the Maslenitsa holiday itself?

The origin of the word “Maslenitsa” is, according to one version, the Slavic custom of baking pancakes. The word pancake itself is believed to be of Slavic origin and comes from the word “mlin” (to grind).

Maslenitsa

The pancake in its shape and redness resembles the sun. And the tradition of baking pancakes on Maslenitsa is connected with the desire of people to win over the luminary and persuade him to warm the earth frozen during the bitter winter with the help of delicious baked goods.

Slavic peoples, according to tradition, baked pancakes from yeast dough - sourdough - on Maslenitsa. The dough was prepared accompanied by many rituals and spells to make the pancakes tasty and those who eat them healthy and happy.

In Rus', different types of pancakes were baked all year round. Pancakes were baked from wheat, corn, buckwheat and oatmeal and eaten with butter, sour cream, honey, jam, caviar, fish and vegetable filling, washed down with tea, hot milk or sbiten.

In the old days, Maslenitsa was considered a holiday of abundance before the longest fast of the year.

Pancakes are a tasty and satisfying dish that can feed not only the whole family, but also guests. By the way, each housewife had her own recipe for making delicious pancakes.

An interesting custom associated with pancakes existed in Rus' - the first pancake baked on Maslenitsa was dedicated to the ancestors and laid out on a window, roof or grave, or given to the poor.

Pancakes in modern Russian cuisine are considered a delicacy for a special occasion. But Maslenitsa is a holiday of pancakes, when you can enjoy them to your heart’s content - from morning until evening, alternating them with different delicacies.

Today there are many recipes for making delicious pancakes. Sputnik Georgia has selected several recipes that will delight your loved ones with delicious pancakes for Maslenitsa and at the same time are easy to prepare.

Classic pancakes

For this recipe you will need: 400 grams of milk, 150 grams of water, 2 eggs, 3 liters of sugar, a quarter of a teaspoon of salt, 200 grams of flour, 2 liters of vegetable oil and 50 grams of butter.

How to prepare: pour milk and water into a bowl, add sugar, salt and stir well. Add eggs, beat thoroughly with a whisk. Gradually add the sifted flour, whisking constantly until smooth so that there are no lumps left.

Finally, add vegetable oil and stir. The dough will turn out like very liquid sour cream.

Heat a frying pan, preferably with a thick bottom, well. Using a small ladle, scoop up the dough, pour it into the frying pan and distribute the dough evenly in a circular motion. Fry until golden edges, about 15 seconds.

Pry the edge of the pancake with a silicone spatula or fork (you can use your hand), turn it over and fry on the other side. Grease the hot pancake with butter. Place the finished pancakes in a stack. You can serve with any syrup, condensed milk, melted chocolate, and so on.

Pancake recipe with milk

The most common recipe for making pancake dough with milk. You will need: milk - 500 ml; 2 eggs, 200 grams of flour, 1 s/l sugar, a pinch of salt, 2 s/l vegetable oil.

Beat eggs in a bowl, mix with sugar and salt. Pour milk into a bowl and mix well. Place a sieve on a bowl and slowly pour in the flour, stirring constantly with a whisk to get rid of lumps and get an airy, delicate structure.

The finished mass should resemble liquid sour cream - the dough will easily spread over the pan and will not crumple when turning, and baking pancakes will be easier. Add vegetable oil and stir.

Heat a cast iron frying pan, grease it with vegetable oil and fry the pancakes on both sides. Place them in a stack, brushing them with a small piece of butter.

You can prepare pancakes with milk using this video tip:

Pancakes with boiling water and milk

You can try a recipe for pancakes made with boiling water and milk - the pancakes turn out thin and airy.

You will need: 1 glass of wheat flour, 2 eggs, 1 glass of milk, 1 glass of boiling water, 2 liters of vegetable oil, salt to taste.

How to prepare: beat eggs with salt until foamy. While stirring, pour a glass of boiling water into the mixture. Add a glass of cold milk, whisking continuously. Add flour gradually while stirring. Pour the butter into the resulting mass, beat it and start baking pancakes.

You need to bake pancakes in a preheated frying pan, greased with olive or melted butter.

You can cook pancakes with boiling water and milk using this video tip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lI2O1YD1JzM

Pancake dough with kefir

Pancakes can be baked with kefir and used as a base for various fillings, both sweet - jam, cottage cheese, berries, and savory - meat, fish, vegetables.

You will need: 500 grams of kefir (3% fat), 2 eggs, 200 grams of flour, sugar, soda and salt, half a tsp, 4 s/l of vegetable oil and 50 grams of butter to grease the hot pancake.

How to prepare: beat eggs in a deep bowl, add kefir, stir.

Heat the mixture slightly over low heat until the salt and sugar dissolve well. Then remove the pan from the heat, add salt and sugar and mix well.

Sift the flour, gradually add to the mixture and mix well with a whisk so that there are no lumps left. Dissolve soda in boiling water (1 s/l of boiling water per half tsp of baking soda) and quickly add to the bowl.

Pour in vegetable oil and place the dough in a warm place for about an hour.

Heat a cast iron frying pan, grease with vegetable oil and fry the pancakes on both sides. Place them in a stack, greasing them with a small piece of butter.

Pancakes on the water

Everyone prepares pancake dough in water differently, depending on preferences and tastes. The recipe for water pancakes with eggs cannot be called lean or vegetarian, but it is ideal for people with lactase deficiency (milk intolerance). This recipe makes them elastic, which makes it easy to wrap any filling in them.

You will need: 500 grams of water, 3 eggs, 2 s/l sugar, a pinch of salt, 1 tsp baking powder, 1.5 cups flour, 3 s/l vegetable oil.

How to prepare: Using a mixer, beat the eggs with salt and sugar until fluffy. Add a third of the water, flour, baking powder to the bowl and beat with a mixer until smooth so that there are no lumps left. Add the remaining water to the mixture, mix and pour vegetable oil into the dough. The dough will be quite liquid, so the pancakes will come out thin and lacy.

Heat the pan, for the first pancake, grease with oil and bake on both sides.

How to prepare pancakes with different fillings and decorate the finished dish, watch in the Sputnik Georgia video:

Happy Maslenitsa and bon appetit!!!

The material was prepared based on open sources

Probably each of us is eagerly awaiting the wonderful national holiday called Maslenitsa. Every self-respecting housewife strives to bake as many pancakes as possible, stuff them with cheese, honey, cottage cheese, sour cream, cabbage, mushrooms, etc. Here the flight of imagination is unlimited. In addition, women bustle around the stove to cook a lot of amazing dishes and decorate the table with stewed vegetables, fish, sweets, pies, kulebyaks, baked pike, caviar, pickles. Moreover, with the onset of the last days of winter, most people feel better, they want to have fun, get out of the “shackles” of the cold and go for walks, chat with friends face to face.

Modern people continue to observe the rituals and traditions of Maslenitsa with great pleasure, doing incredible things - climbing a wooden pole, jumping over a fire, having loud celebrations. Why does this happen, what are the joyful days and fussing about in the kitchen dedicated to? Let's find out everything in order, and in addition we'll have a couple of other excellent pancake recipes preserved from our ancestors.

History of Maslenitsa

Great artists and writers dedicated their creations to this holiday, and the best directors made films about it. Let us at least remember Kustodiev’s stunning painting “Maslenitsa”. How beautiful she is. I just want to find myself in the world that the artist reflected and enjoy the true Russian winter, incredible dishes made precisely according to Russian traditions. But before delving into our fantasies, let’s study the history of the many-sided and our only Russian holiday of Maslenitsa.

It should be noted right away that the celebrations we describe have nothing to do with the Orthodox religion. This holiday was given to us by our ancestors who worshiped pagan gods. Perhaps this is one of the few manifestations of paganism that was preserved with the transition to Orthodoxy. To avoid any disagreements, our Church included the holiday in its list, but called the period of celebration Cheese Week (Meat Week). This period of time passes just before the start of the next Lent.

When did Maslenitsa originate?

There are several versions of the origins of special celebrations. Judging by one of the interpretations, during this week it was no longer possible to eat meat dishes, but dairy products were still allowed. Among the people, the celebrations, which lasted for seven days, were called differently: Kasatochka, Kissing Girl, Obedukha, Cheerful, Perebukha, Honest Maslenitsa, Sugar Lips, etc.

During the celebrations, incredible traditions were performed - they rode horses, which they tried to decorate with the most expensive and beautiful harness. A sleigh was rushing through the streets, and in front of it was the same “Bird Three”, which great artists immediately began to personify on their canvases. Young people reveled, sang songs, and carousels were launched. The squares hosted fairs with a stunning range of assortments, where goods could be purchased at bargain prices. On the slides that still retained the snow and ice cover, people descended on large sleighs decorated with beautiful ornaments. “Snow” massacres were organized, fortresses and cities were built from snow and ice.

How Maslenitsa was held

In the 17th-19th centuries, a crowd of not only adults, but also children gathered in the center of the square. These seven days were supposed to be the most generous of the year. The children were given sweets, pies, and toys. And in the center of the squares there were stages where performances took place. The main characters were the mummers - Maslenitsa and her companion Voivode. Of course, the plot for the comedy was the days of Maslenitsa and its treats. She said goodbye and promised to return next year. Also, other performances could take place on stage, reflecting the works of great creators and stories based on real events.

Despite the passing centuries, celebrations on Maslenitsa week did not stop. And the main message remains - the desire to drive away Winter. In order for warm days to come faster, they sang Great songs, turned to the god Yarila and asked him to manifest himself with the solar disk and its rays. The symbol of the festive celebrations was a large straw effigy, on which a woman's sundress was put. On the last day of the festivities, he was either burned or “buried” by placing a large pancake in his hand.

Why damn?

Many people are interested in the question of why the pancake is a symbol of Maslenitsa. After all, all housewives bake them throughout this week, and in incredible quantities. We have already mentioned the fillings, there are also a huge number of them. Fortunately, the Russian land is rich in gifts, and people have always been distinguished by their high level of hard work and had in their farmstead everything necessary for excellent nutrition. But let's return to pancakes and the history of their rise.

The tradition of baking them dates back to ancient times, precisely from the era of paganism. Worshiping those gods, people turned to the main one from the pantheon - Yarila. And he was nothing more than the Sun, which heats the earth with its rays and thereby gives life to all living things. With its bright arrival, winter gave way to the throne of spring and arable land began, grain was sown, people took off their heavy sheepskin coats and rejoiced in the warm air. And what is so similar in shape to our warm sun? And what can you taste while enjoying its taste? Damn sure. A thin loaf of bread, which contains nothing but flour, eggs and milk, was prepared both in rich houses and in poor huts. Thus, the housewives tried to embody the image of Yaril with their own hands and treated their children, friends, and relatives to their creations. In addition to wheat, buckwheat, corn, and oatmeal were used for production.

Representatives of the poor class, not having supplies of meat and milk, and derivative products, put semolina, pumpkin, pea porridge, etc. as filling.

Customs for Maslenitsa

There have long been customs that were performed without fail in every home. For example, the first loaf of bread made had to be given to a poor person so that he would remember the deceased from this house. If there was no beggar nearby asking for alms, they threw the product through the window. And while Maslenitsa week lasted, soft bread was eaten throughout the day and week, changing fillings and dressings. Each new day of the solemn week had a certain meaning, and rituals were performed specifically for this day.

Before the onset of Maslenitsa, on Sunday it was necessary to go on a visit to relatives, dear friends and close neighbors. It was also necessary to invite guests to your place and set a rich table. This was the last “free” day before the strictest fast when natural meat was consumed. It was called “Meat Sunday”. There was even a funny belief - the father-in-law goes to his son-in-law to finish the meat.

Monday – Meeting

The day of the holiday is called “Meeting”. During the daytime, all the people gathered for festivities. Large snow slides, fortresses, and cities made of ice and snow were built. People rode on carousels, huge tables were laid in market squares, samovars were boiled, herbal teas were poured, honey, cream were poured, etc. The children together made a straw doll and put on a sundress and kokoshnik. From the very morning, the children walked around the courtyards and sang songs, and they, in turn, were treated to pancakes and sweets. This lasted until the middle of the day, then everyone ran to the snowy hills and rode on a homemade sleigh. The exception was adults; they had the right to such pleasures only from the middle of Maslenitsa week.

Tuesday – Flirting

This day was intended for those getting married. It was on Tuesday that weddings were held in the villages, and after a rich feast, all the newlyweds and those who had just joined went on a roller coaster ride. Naturally, they continued to bake bread and feast with the people. Also, on the day of the flirtation, young people looked closely at the opposite half and selected a mate for themselves.

Wednesday – Lakomka

This day can truly be considered the moment of the “Great” truce; the mother-in-law specially “invited” her son-in-law to a pancake meal. It’s not for nothing that there is a saying “To your mother-in-law for pancakes.” Young people should put on the outfits they wore on their own wedding day, and unmarried girls would go down the slides. And everyone made fun of the single guys who were unable to find a couple last year. They came up with all sorts of punishments, and the guys had to pay off.

Thursday – Razgulyay

It was also called Perelom, Razgul, Chetvertok, Wide. This is the central event. All honest people gathered in the squares, staged performances, fist fights, all the swings and carousels were spinning, snow fortresses and cities were laid siege. Remember the masterpiece of art “The Taking of the Snowy Mountain” by Surikov. From clothes they put on whatever came to mind. And a scarecrow made of straw - Maslenitsa was raised to the highest hill.

Friday – Mother-in-Law Evenings

On this day the opposite story happens. It’s the son-in-law’s turn to treat his beloved mother-in-law to pancakes. He invites a relative into the house and sets a rich table. But the mother-in-law provided the food and equipment for making pancakes: a frying pan, a tub, a whole bag of flour, butter. Thus, due respect was given to relatives on the part of the wife. And the festivities continue, people celebrate in the markets, drink tea and ride on carousels.

Saturday – Farewell (Sister-in-law’s gatherings)

This is one of the most beautiful traditions - a young daughter-in-law invited relatives to her new home and treated them not only to pancakes, but also to other dishes. And people picked up the Scarecrow made of straw - Maslenitsa and carried it through the streets of the village and “buried it: they collected a lot of logs, placed the Scarecrow on top and set it on fire. Round dances were held around a large fire and songs were sung. Despite the comic nature of the performance, many people cried - after all, another year was passing, the holidays were ending, and it was necessary to begin worries.

Sunday - Forgiveness

On the eve of Lent, everyone wanted to be cleansed of sins. People asked each other for forgiveness and said the following words: “Please forgive me if I am guilty of something to you.” The answer was the familiar “God will forgive” for all of us. The ritual did not have a formal meaning; people actually forgave each other for insults and grievances, forgot about troubles and shook hands. Also on this day it was necessary to visit the cemetery and “treat” the deceased with pancakes, leaving them on the graves.

Fortune telling was very popular these days. And, as a rule, the fair half is more interested in this activity. So, the girls performed the following rituals:

Taking the first pancake in her hands, the girl went to the street and treated the first guy who met on her way. His name meant that this would be the name of her betrothed.
Before going to bed, the girl had to hang a towel out the window and whisper the words: “Betrothed, appear, wipe yourself with the towel!” The next morning she checked - if the towel was wet, then marriage was coming that year. Dry - on the contrary, you should not expect a betrothed.
For the third rite, you need to collect branches of coniferous trees (pine, cedar, spruce, fir). It is better to collect it in the forest and lay it out on the floor at home. Invite a friend, tie scarves over each other’s eyes and choose branches at random:

if a girl picks up a thick branch with dense foliage (needles), she is waiting for marriage with a strong and respectable man.
a flat and smooth surface portends an attractive spouse.
if the branch has thick and durable bark, the husband will be a wealthy man.
if all the bark peels off, then the husband will be a simple guy, perhaps a small employee, a mechanic, a carpenter.

Whether you should believe fortune telling – decide for yourself. But it’s unlikely that a towel or a spruce branch can predict your future. In any case, the rituals were invented by people and they are needed only as entertainment. And you need to believe only in the positive; no prediction should leave a residue of uncertainty in your soul.

On Forgiveness Sunday it was possible to drink alcohol for the last time before Lent.

The best pancake recipes

So, before we start baking pancakes, let's find out one more story about Maslenitsa. The legend originates from the northern regions of Rus', where winters have always been rich in snow and blizzards. So, according to this story, Her Majesty Maslenitsa appeared in the North, where Santa Claus ruled. One peasant was looking for pine needles and saw a little girl behind the trees, Maslenitsa and asked to return warm days and joy to people. And she agreed and appeared before people not as a little girl, but as a strong, beautiful and rosy-cheeked beauty. With her infectious laughter, she attracted people to the festivities, organized round dances and sang songs.

To make it enjoyable for you to spend these days before Lent, we offer some of the best pancake recipes. Believe me, if you follow the recipe, not a single pancake will turn out to be lumpy.

With milk

This is the most popular type of pancakes, which will not take much of the housewife’s time. To prepare we need:

half a liter of milk;
2 testicles;
200 grams of flour;
2 table. spoons of vegetable oil;
1 table. spoon of granulated sugar;
a pinch of salt.

The ingredients must be removed from the refrigerator in advance so that they reach room temperature. Beat eggs in a bowl, add sugar, salt, pour in milk and mix thoroughly.

Mix flour with a small portion of milk to form sour cream, mix until lumps disappear.

Pour into the main composition and beat briefly. Pour in the vegetable oil, mix and set aside for half an hour at room temperature.

On kefir

The option is economical for thrifty housewives. You can also use sour milk. For cooking we need:

half a liter of sour milk or kefir;
2 testicles;
200 grams of flour (wheat);
baking soda (half a teaspoon), the same amount of salt and sugar;
4 tablespoons (tablespoons) of vegetable oil.

Beat the eggs, pour in the kefir and mix thoroughly. The mixture must be heated to 60 degrees so that after adding the salt and sugar, the salt and sugar are completely dissolved. Gently pour the sifted flour into the mixture and mix so that there are no lumps. Dissolve the soda in a tablespoon of boiling water and pour it into the bowl with the dough, then pour in the oil, mix and set aside for one hour.

On the water

This is perhaps the most popular pancake recipe. It does not contain milk, which is not suitable for everyone in terms of physical characteristics, or kefir, which can cause bloating. This dough contains fewer calories, which means there is a chance of maintaining your figure during Maslenitsa. So, we need:

half a liter of water;
320 grams of flour (wheat);
2 testicles;
2 table. spoons of vegetable oil;
a tablespoon of granulated sugar;
a pinch of salt.

Beat eggs, salt and sugar in a bowl, pour in warm water and gradually add sifted flour. Beat until smooth.

We recognize the character by the fillings

Of course, simply enjoying pancakes is also a pleasure. But how much more nutritious and satisfying are pancakes with mushroom, cottage cheese, cabbage, and sour cream filling? There is a popular belief that the filling must correspond to a man’s character. Let's find out how true this is.

Just pancakes greased with butter. This product is preferred by reserved and calm individuals. They strive to be and communicate only with decent people. Men with such taste, as a rule, are good fathers and loving husbands, guarding the reputation and well-being of the family.
Creative, intelligent people prefer caviar. They are pragmatic, caring, the affairs of the family and its well-being come first. They are not capable of romantic actions; if they decide to do something pleasant, they will rather take practical steps.
Gentle and sensitive types enjoy sour cream. Such men are very vulnerable and touchy. Even a carelessly thrown word can lead to hysteria and spoilage of mood. So be careful and decide whether you should throw in your lot with him.
Emotional and romantic men love honey. This type will be able to create a holiday even from a banal meeting and will delight his significant other with pleasant surprises with or without any reason. These men are monogamous and can give their last penny for a bouquet, just to make their beloved happy.
Persons with an extreme focus prefer pancakes with salmon. These are travelers, lovers of parachute jumping, etc. So life with such a friend is hectic; every now and then he will present another surprise in the form of hiking to the highest mountain, or flying on a hang glider.
Cottage cheese filling is loved by men who will remain children until the end of their days. They love everything sweet, and the wife will be a mommy. Get ready - making decisions, paying bills, sorting out relationships will fall on your fragile shoulders.

How to bake pancakes correctly

Now let's move on to the process, which causes concern among some housewives. It is precisely because of the baking moment that women are ready to refuse to cook such a tasty and light dish as pancakes. And it all boils down to just one thing - they stick to the pan and become a lump. To get around all this, we suggest following a proven plan.

The frying pan needs to be put on fire and heated thoroughly.
Lubricate with vegetable oil (a thin layer, 1-2 drops and a brush are enough).
Reduce fire intensity by half.
Mix the settled dough, as sediment always forms at the bottom.
Take a small portion with a ladle (it is better to use a special one for pancakes).
Pour the dough into the pan, which must be kept in an inclined position, and twist until it completely covers the surface.
Bake for a maximum of 2-3 minutes, turn over with a special spatula. After a couple of minutes, transfer to the prepared bowl.
Grease the pancake with butter or cover with a large lid so that the edges become soft and do not break.

Maslenitsa, a wonderful holiday, is not only about festivities and celebrations. People thus wanted to get closer to the secrets of the universe, to lift the curtains of death. According to another version, the shape of the pancake reflects not the Sun, but life, that is, existence without beginning and end. In these days, people understood that the earth should increase its wealth and in their songs they sang the melting of snow, which nourishes the soil with fertility.

Another sacred basis of the holiday is the remembrance of the departed. The funeral feast included three components - lamentation for those who had passed away, a sacrifice and a rich feast. It was believed that the dead came to each of the people's celebrations and invisibly took part in them.

Be that as it may, Maslenitsa is a favorite holiday of the Slavs that is unlike anything else in the world. Let it be relics of pagan times or Cheese Week according to the Orthodox religion. The main thing is that it’s tasty, fun and very healthy, of course, if you know when to stop it!

This rather ancient holiday appeared in paganism. It is associated with seeing off the frosts, cold and sleep of nature - winter and welcoming a warm, joyful spring. And also during the week of Maslenitsa we remembered and were sad about those who were no longer there. Then it was called “Komoyeditsa”. The bear was considered the symbol of the holiday - after all, he sleeps all winter in his den, and when he wakes up, spring comes. During the week of Maslenitsa, pancakes were baked, and the first pancake, which is known to be lumpy, was given to the bear. They piled it at the entrance to the den. Hence the name of the holiday. At the end of the week, it was customary to burn an effigy of Maslenitsa - thereby marking the arrival of spring and the funeral of this year's winter.

Christianity has its own interpretation of this holiday. Maslenitsa week is a week in which you need to gradually get used to and prepare for Lent. These days you can eat dairy products and should give up fish and meat. As for behavior and celebration, this week is dedicated to cleansing the soul and body. You cannot quarrel with family and friends, and if a quarrel took place earlier, you need to ask everyone for forgiveness and be sure to forgive those who ask for forgiveness from you.

Pancake is a symbol of Maslenitsa

And in ancient times and today, in Orthodoxy, the pancake remains the main symbol of the holiday. And it symbolizes the arrival of warmth and sun. After all, damn it, just like the sun - round and hot. However, there are also traditions here. Pancakes are prepared every day of the Maslenitsa week, but they serve different occasions.

For example, in Monday, this is the meeting of Maslenitsa. Previously, on this day they made a scarecrow and placed it on the mountain. Today on this day it is customary to visit your closest relatives for pancakes.

Maslenitsa Tuesday was called flirting- on this day there was real fun, which, formally, was the flirting of guys with girls and vice versa. The oil week, at the end of which the wedding was celebrated, was successful. Today on this day they also go to visit each other for pancakes or invite each other to their place.

Wednesday Gourmet- on Wednesday, mothers-in-law receive their sons-in-law and other guests. But the son-in-law was considered the main guest. Nowadays, it is also customary to visit your mother-in-law on Wednesday for pancakes.

Thursday - revelry. On this day, folk festivities take place again. The day acquired its name thanks to the peak of fun. People understood that great work lay ahead - sowing and caring for the land, so they sought to properly relax and have fun at will.

Friday - mother-in-law's supper. Now sons-in-law invite their mothers-in-law to their place for pancakes.

Saturday - gatherings of sisters-in-law. On this day you need to invite all your husband’s relatives to visit. Including sisters, brothers and their families.

Sunday - Forgiveness Sunday. On this day you need to ask for forgiveness from loved ones, from God. It has long been customary to give gifts. Today, rarely does anyone give gifts to relatives on this day, but the custom of visiting and having good conversations over a cup of tea and pancakes has remained to this day. In the old days, on the seventh day of Maslenitsa, an effigy was burned. This ritual was a sign of the end of winter. The ashes left after the fire had to be scattered across the fields. For the sake of a rich harvest.

Why damn?

Many years ago, Maslenitsa was celebrated for two weeks. During the celebration of the first week, there are no days on which people should limit themselves in foods. On Wednesday, for the delicacy, you could and should have eaten, as they say, to your heart's content. After all, for a long time such an opportunity will not arise again. You will need to fast for about a month and a half, until Easter.

Damn, this is a dish that transitions between nourishing, varied food, to food to please the soul - lean. We kneaded pancakes with butter and milk. In the second week of Maslenitsa, the so-called Cheese Week, you can eat pancakes with butter or with other various fillings - with honey, jam, caviar.

Even before the spread of Christianity in Rus', during pagan times, the weeks of Maslenitsa were considered memorial weeks. And pancake is the most common funeral dish. However, later, people turned this event into a fun, unbridled holiday. The main attention began to be paid not to the funeral of winter, but to the birth of spring, warmth and the arrival of sunny days. And here the pancake became an important dish. After all, nothing personifies the sun and warmth like a pancake baked in a frying pan.

What kind of pancakes should you eat on Maslenitsa?

On Maslenitsa they eat any pancakes, pancakes and pancakes. Any size and with different fillings. Red caviar is considered the most delicious filling for pancakes. And the most common are cottage cheese and meat. Pancakes are a versatile dish that is not difficult to prepare. But, despite this, each housewife has a special taste. No matter where the modern world goes, no matter how cooking develops, pancakes will always be the primary symbol of the last weeks of winter in Russia. After all, the traditions of our ancestors, passed on from generation to generation, will always remain with us.