We all know about Shrove Tuesday - Pancake Day - but there's another food tradition the day before.
Pig fry
The text goes on to give us a specific recipe for Collop Monday called pig fry. This sounds delicious, a sort of crackling and bacon, with potatoes, and even a pancake or two. I like the idea of giving the servants a ‘drop of something good’, and letting them spend the afternoon (not the morning mind) in conviviality.
Our best bacon recipes
Although none of us observe Lent the old-fashioned way here at lovefood HQ, we're not going to let that stop us reaching for an excuse to eat something delicious. Just as you can appreciate architecture and music of all faiths, so it is with food and festivals. So we’ve taken the idea of Collop Monday as inspiration for some of our best bacon and leftovers recipes.
Brian has developed this recipe using pepper sauce to draw out the flavours of the mushrooms and give them a gentle kick. It also comes with plenty (15 rashers!) of bacon - feel free to reduce the amount but, remember, we're using it up!
A good way to make the most of leftover ham, and everyone loves a pie. The apples add some tartness. Of course if you've anything else lying about in the fridge or freeze it could be put in too; a handful of peas perhaps, or some leftover chicken?
The butty is a catch-all term that can play host to a number of flavours. Here Helen Graves uses bubble and squeak. You can make the 'bubble' from scratch, but it's even better made the day before as part of a roast dinner. Read Helen's piece about the humble butty here.
A quick and simple dish using seasonal greens, peas and broad beans. This is Val's take on the classic Petits Pois a la Francaise. Add the lettuce at the last minute so it just wilts.
Here's something a bit special, a lovely little tart that uses Welsh Rarebit as its topping. Make this if you want something showy.
Finally, if you're watching the pennies, then this dish will feed a family of four easily. Serve some bread with it to mop up the oniony juicies. This recipe was part of a series of recipes, all of which could be made for around £3.
Are you planning on giving anything up for Lent? Let us know in the Comments below.
This is a classic lovefood article