Kung Hei Fat Choy! - and more

Out with the (trouser) Snake and in with the (hung like a) Horse..?

...yes, it is Chinese (Lunar) New Year today - the Year of the Fire Horse. I apologise to anyone who thinks it sacrilegious, but this was the first song that immediately came to mind:

Father Ted - My Lovely Horse

Meanwhile...

In Hispanic/Latin American countries (and across the world) today is Mardi Gras ["Fat Tuesday"], or Carnaval - a time for outrageously OTT feathered costumes, salsa music and a heavy dollop of camp...

...while in Britain, we have Pancake Day. Toss that!

Since there are fewer songs about the latter than the former, try this:

Dario G - Carnaval De Paris

[OK, OK - I know it's actually a number written for a football competition, but it's a great choon!]

Enjoy your fatty, fried, pancake-y treats - or indeed your Niángāo cake!

---

PS

By sheer coincicence - it also happens to be the start of Ramadan, to boot!

Of course, I'm not sure I know an appropriate song for that.

How do you like yours tossed?

As I have observed before, on this day across the world, it's Mardi Gras - an excuse for a parade of feathers, fouff and faff. Here in the UK, it's Pancake Day - an excuse to eat...

Of course, pancakes are delicious with just the traditional sugar and lemon, or alternatively with fruit, cream or a variety of sweet toppings like chocolate spread, jam or honey. Some people prefer them savoury, with a sauce of ham, cheese or even seafood - much more commonplace in the Netherlands, where they're known as pannenkoeken. The recipe, understandably, varies across the world - and there is indeed a world of difference between our own pancakes and the small fat variety found in the USA and Canada, or even the slightly stiff crêpes favoured across the channel in France and Belgium.

However, should you want to cook British pancakes to celebrate Shrove Tuesday in the traditional British way, dear old Delia Smith (of course) has the perfect recipe!

But what sort of pancake do you like to toss, dear reader? Sweet, savoury, buttermilk or plain, crispy, lardy, risen or flat, buckwheat or white flour, fruit or bacon, cheese or bananas - we need to know!

And while you're tossing away in the privacy of your own home, here's a musical tribute to the resulting improvements to your figure...

Motto Motto and Will.i.am - Big And Chunky [from Madagascar 2]

It's worth it, in my opinion.

Men tossing

That got your attention, didn't it?

Yes, it's Pancake Day again...

...eat 'em quick, before the Nanny State health-freaks ban them!

Thought for the Day

In Latin American countries (and across the world) today is Mardi Gras, a time for feathers, foof and faff and a gloriously camp carnival atmosphere...



...while in Britain, we have Pancake Day.

Still, any excuse to eat unhealthy food has to be a good thing, I say!