Almanac for Homemakers

Recipe for Fastnachts   "Among Germans, the day preceding Ash Wednesday is known as Fastnacht. Germans long ago made a practice of using up all fats in the house before the beginning of lent, when no meats would be eaten. The fats were used for deep frying doughnuts - and the doughnuts themselves became known as 'Fastnachts'."  The word Fastnacht (fost-nokt) translates to "Fast Night". Early in the morning, the Haus Frau (housewife) would start frying up these delicious treats. The dough can be made a few different ways. It can be rolled and cut in different shapes or in the traditional doughnut ring shape. You can see a well reviewed recipe for Nana's Fastnachts here! Typically before Lent all the fat in the home was used up so there would not be meat or meat items around for the 40 days of Lent. This gives a new meaning to "Fat Tuesday" if you have ever wondered why we call it that. F...

All About Flapjacks   "The word flapjack is associated with an old custom of making and eating this delicacy on Shrove Tuesday." Now Shrove Tuesday is the day before Ash Wednesday. Ash Wednesday signified the beginning of lent and a season of fasting. So because of the significance of fasting during the lent season, pancakes were eaten in great quantity.  The day in some places is known simply as Pancake Day.   The term Flapjack became associated with the pancake chef's ability to cook the pancake in a skillet without a spatula. Once one side was cooked, the chef would flip the pan, tossing the cake in the air, and catching it on the uncooked side. I'm sure most of you have tried this at least once! I have and I think I was successful a couple of times. Just be careful and have the mop handy when you try.