Fête des Chandelles, La Chandeleur
Fête des Chandelles, La Candeleur, why pancakes? La Chandeleur, in everyone's mind, is the pancake party. But what is the origin of this party that children love? Where does the tradition come from?
The 2nd of February, Fête des Chandelles, La Candeleur (Candlemas) is a former Pagan and Latin feast and became a Christian religious feast that corresponds to the presentation of Christ in the temple and the recognition by Simeon as "the light of Israel". It falls on the 2nd of February, which is traditionally the 40th day of the Christmas. While it is customary for Christians in some countries to remove their Christmas decorations on the 12th day after Christmas eve. In other Christian countries historically remove them on Candlemas (Fête des Chandelles). Many Christians also bring their candles to their local church, where they are blessed and then used for the rest of the year. These blessed candles serve as a symbol of Jesus Christ, who referred to himself as the Light of the World.
Fête des Chandelles, La Candeleur, why pancakes?
La Chandeleur, in everyone's mind, is the pancake party. But what is the origin of this party that children love? Where does the tradition come from?
Before the fifth century, farmers cleaned their land with flares before sowing. The excess flour was used to make pancakes, a symbol of prosperity for the coming year. It is said that the pancakes, through their round and golden shape, remember to the sun, which evokes the return of spring after the dark and cold winter. It is also said that Pope Gelasius I, who cherished Candlemas, comforted the pilgrims arrived in Rome with pancakes. Finally, the pancake also protects the harvest of fungi and the house of adversity. Pancakes are therefore related to Fête des Chandelles, La Candeleur.
Recipe of pancake for la Fête des Changelles, La Candeleur: Quantities for about fifteen pancakes: 250 gr of flour 50 cl of milk 25 gr of butter 3 eggs 1 teaspoon of fine salt 2 tablespoons of powdered sugar (optional).
Preparation: Put the flour in a salad bowl. Make a hole in the middle that forms a well. Pour in half of the milk. Mix gradually through the flour, from the edges to the middle. Beat the eggs. Pour them little by little into the flour with constant stirring to take them up. Let the butter melt on a low heat and add it. Add the salt and the optional sugar. Keep stirring until you have a perfectly smooth dough. Pour the remaining milk gradually by stirring, to avoid lumps. The dough must be smooth and liquid, but not too thin. Cover the batter and leave at room temperature for 2 hours. Fry the pancakes for about 1 minute on each side on high heat in a pancake pan.
Tip:
The thinness of pancakes depends on the rest time of the dough and its consistency. To see if the dough has the right thickness, dip a ladle in the dough, turn it over and wipe your finger over the spoon: there must be a clear trace. If the dough is too liquid, add some flour while stirring. If it is too thick, dilute it with a little bit of milk.
Bon appetit and have a great Fête des Chandelles!
