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FLIPPIN' FUN - PANCAKES PERFECT FOR TUESDAY
Pictured with Ryan Tubridy (seated centre) are (l-r) Helen Brophy, CEO, NDC; 5yr old Eoin Jones from Ballinteer; Dominic Cronin, Chairman, NDC; Niall McLoughlin, CEO, Irish Osteoporosis Society; and 3yr old Matthew Duff from Glasnevin
Milk & Dairy within a Balanced Diet - Part of Osteoporosis Preventative Strategy
Broadcaster Ryan Tubridy joined in the fun of flipping pancakes to support the Irish Osteoporosis Society and National Dairy Council message that cooking your own pancakes can be a simple and fun way of helping you consume your recommended '3 portions of dairy a day' for bone health and for wellbeing.
Lemon Crepe & Cafe Co. (Dawson Street and South William Street, Dublin) - have also announced that they will donate 50c from all pancakes sold this Pancake Tuesday (16th February) to the Irish Osteoporosis Society.
An estimated one in two women over 50 years of age and one in five men over 50 will develop a fracture due to osteoporosis. Including milk and dairy within a balanced diet is part of the preventative strategy for osteoporosis promoted by the IOS, particularly milk which has been fortified with added vitamin D.
According to the Irish Osteoporosis Society (IOS) and the National Dairy Council (NDC), pancakes are a "perfect" example of the many versatile ways to include milk and dairy in a balanced diet, in order to try to achieve the recommended "3 portions of dairy a day". Serving pancakes with delicious fresh fruit and berries can also be an excellent way of contributing to the recommended "5 portions of fruit and vegetables a day". There are also many savoury ideas for pancakes using for example, grated cheese. And of course there are the old treat favourites of butter, lemon juice and caster sugar or cream and jam.
Try Tossing A Pancake
Ingredients (makes about 10 pancakes)
100 g or 4 oz of plain flour
285 ml or ½ pint of milk (if possible and where available, you could use fortified milk with added calcium & vitamin D)
12 g or ½ oz butter
1 egg
½ teaspoon of salt
Mixing the Batter:
Sieve the flour and salt into a bowl. Make a well in the centre and drop in the unbeaten egg and half of the milk. Use a wooden spoon to beat until the batter is smooth and air bubbles collect on the surface. Then stir in the rest of the milk and melted butter. Pancake batter does not have to "rest" for 24 hours before use, although you could leave it for up to 24 hours in an appropriately cool place before using it.
Cooking Pancakes:
Some like to season the pan first with a little salt. Lightly coat the base of the pan with enough oil to make it look shiny all over. Allow the pan to get really hot. Pour enough batter to cover the bottom of the pan thinly - tilt the pan quickly so the bottom is evenly covered. Cook until underside is golden brown.
Tossing Pancakes:
Shake the pan, jerk if forward until the pancake reaches the downward tilting edge of the pan, then flip it over with a quick movement of the wrist so that the uncooked side is underneath..
Serving suggestions:
Pancakes are nicest served straight from the pan. There are many delicious ways to serve them - try adding blueberries, raspberries or fresh fruit with a sprinkling of sugar or sugar substitute. As a treat, try filling them with butter, lemon juice and caster sugar; jam and dairy cream; maple or "golden" syrup; or ice cream. You could experiment with savoury pancakes by adding, for instance, grated cheese with ham or chicken while cooking.
Osteoporosis
An estimated one in two women over 50 years of age and one in five men over 50 will develop a fracture due to osteoporosis. However the disease is on the increase due primarily to an ageing population. By 2031 it is estimated that there will be an additional 500,000 older people living in Ireland.
In women over 45 years of age, osteoporosis accounts for more days spent in hospital than many other diseases, including diabetes, myocardial infarction and breast cancer, and ranks high among diseases that result in people becoming bedridden with serious complications.
Education, prevention and an increased public awareness of the risk factors of osteoporosis are vital if we are to reverse the growing numbers of Irish people developing the disease, according to the Irish Osteoporosis Society (IOS).
For a free copy of a "Guide to Osteoporosis" please contact the Irish Osteoporosis Society at 1890 252 751 or the NDC on 01 616 9726. The guide can also be downloaded from here.