The GSPCA ask please Think Fairtrade and Free Range this Pancake Day

Submitted by GSPCA on 09:48, 2nd Mar, 2014 | 0

This week is Shrove Tuesday and many of us will shopping for our ingredients today. The GSPCA would like to remind everyone to think of the produce that you are going to use and please look to buy Animal Welfare friendly products such as free range eggs.

Although the EU legislation has forced many battery farms to improve their standards, chickens that live as free range birds have a much better quality of life.

Many of us will be adding extra ingredients and the GSPCA would also like to encourage everyone to not only look at using animal welfare friendly products but to also use Fairtrade goods where possible.

The GSPCA occasionally get chickens into the Shelter looking for homes and if you are interested in adopting some of the hens or even occasional cockerels like the two silkies we currently have please do get in touch. Many of the hens we have rehomed have turned out to be fantastic layers.

Below is a basic pancake recipe to help you celebrate -

To make pancakes you'll need a flat bottomed frying pan, a sieve, mixing bowl and a big spoon or two.

Basic Batter Recipe - Ingredients for making about 8 pancakes

4oz (100g) plain flour.

Half a Pint (250ml) of milk.

1 Standard Free Range Egg. (Size 2)

Pinch of Salt (half teaspoon)

Extra Ingredients to finish the pancakes

2oz (50g) Lard or Fat - for the frying pan.
Sugar, Lemon, Orange etc to add flavour but please look to see if it is Fairtrade produce.

Making the Pancake Batter

Sieve the flour and salt into a mixing bowl.
Make a small hollow in the centre of the mixture and drop in the egg (not the shell).
Begin to mix while gradually adding about one quarter of the milk. Continue to mix well until bubbles become visible in the mixture.
Gradually pour in the remaining milk while continuing to mix.
(if it's a bit too thick - then add a little water.)
Pour batter into a jug for easier pouring into pan.

Making the Pancakes

Heat the frying pan, and place a small piece of lard/fat in the Centre. Allow this to melt and spread over the pan.
Get the pan nice & hot and when the lard begins to smoke slightly, stir and pour in some of the batter - approx 30ml or 2 tablespoons, or enough to thinly cover the bottom of the pan. (tilt the pan to help the batter spread evenly)
Cook until nicely golden brown on the bottom. (shouldn't take too long)
And now the only tricky bit of the whole operation - toss / flip the pancake to within an inch of the kitchen ceiling and position the pan to perfectly catch the pancake on the way down - cooked side up, easy. (you could of course just turn it over with a big plastic spoon, but where's the fun in that? ;-)
Cook the other side until nicely golden brown (tip - when frying never turn the pancake more than once.).
Serve immediately with sugar, syrup, lemon or orange poured on top.

To find out more about Fairtrade Guernsey Click Here.

Following Shorve Tuesday on the Thursday of this week the GSPCA are involved with another welfare friendly eating event.

Dingley Dell flying visits are a series of events celebrating the journey of the pig from farm to plate.

Dingley Dell is approved under the RSPCA Freedom Food scheme.

The RSPCA’s Freedom Food scheme is the charity dedicated to farm animal welfare and it has launched a new website where you can find all the latest news and information.

When you see the Freedom Food label you know that animals have been kept to strict RSPCA welfare standards. The standards cover the whole of an animals’ life, not just their time on farm. A stimulating environment and plenty of room to move around are just two of the many benefits. Freedom Food can also be an affordable ethical choice, as they approve indoor as well as free range and organic farms. So, make one small change to your shopping and one big change to farm animal welfare. Find out where to buy Freedom Food and get recipe ideas now.

Five courses cost £40 (with wine add £20) and it is to be held at The Pavilion on the 6th March from 6.30pm.

The event starts with an introduction and farm tour from Mark Hayward the farmer, this is followed by demo as Kevin Burrows prepares some Dingley Dell Pork.

Then it’s down to the serious business of a pork tasting menu as our line up of top chefs unleash their creativity.

Eric Snaith - Titchwell Manor
Tony Leck - The Pavilion
Mark Poynton - Alimentum
Daniel Green - The Auberge
Murray Chapman - “A Passion to Inspire”
Simon Mckenzie - The Rockmount

Featuring students from “ A Passion to Inspire “

The event is in aid of the Guernsey Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

To book your place please call 01481 736676.

To download the flyer please click here.

Steve Byrne GSPCA Manager said 'It is important when shopping to think where your produce has come from and the quality of life both the animals and farmers have had when the item has got on the shelf and into your basket.'

'Free range hens, Fairtrade and the Freedom Food scheme are all ways that ensure the animals on the farms and the farmers are all cared for and we are lucky in Guernsey to have a chance to support these wonderful initiatives.'

'So please on Pancake Day use free range eggs and we hope to see many of you at the Dingley Dell's event at The Pavilion on Thursday.'

To sponsor a kennel or animal pen and help dogs like Inca please click here.

To find out about our Events, how to become a Member, Sponsor an Animal Pen, our Wish List, Corporate Sponsorship & Volunteering, , our New Build & Redevelopment Appeal and much more please click here.

To find out about GSPCA training and courses at the Shelter please click here.

To donate staff that were involved with the GSPCA Purple Week please follow this link - http://www.justgiving.com/purpleweekhairgspca

To donate to Trinity and Edens Big Fish Appeal please call 01481 257261, pop along to the Animal Shelter in St Andrews, by post or by clicking the link below.