You may still have some Valentine’s Day chocolates left over, so thank goodness it’s almost Shrove Tuesday – or as I like to call it – Pancake fortnight!

Because let’s face it – flour doesn’t really come in small packets for one or two people/pancakes, and if you’re like me and don’t really want to watch a bag of flour go slowly off until next year’s pancake feast rolls round again, then you might as well embrace this tasty time of year fully!

Shrove Tuesday/Pancake Tuesday/Pancake Day, or whatever you like to call it, is of course the day generally in late February or sometimes early March immediately preceding Ash Wednesday (the first day of Lent), which is celebrated in lots of countries (our plump one included) by consuming pancakes.

It’s effectively a day of gorging before the fasting period of Lent. Although I’m always pretty forgetful about the abstinence bit afterwards, to be honest. Anyway!

Regarding the actual making of the pancakes themselves, I like to follow Mary Berry’s simple recipe, which works for both savoury and sweet efforts.

You can find it easily enough online, but if you’re feeling even more adventurous and want to be inspired, check out lots of Mary’s culinary delights by going to www.maryberry.co.uk.

In terms of equipment, every decent baker needs a set of scales. I got a lovely set from www.cathkidston.com.

If your tastes are in any way girly or floral, then you’ll love the twee and colourful Cath Kidson collections. Admittedly I do only use my £25 scales once or twice a year – but they are so pretty it’s almost worth it.

If your kitchenware tastes are a little more modern, then you might want to have a look at www.josephjoseph.com. For £34 you can weigh your ingredients with accuracy and style using their handy digital scales.

This incredibly space-saving kitchen gadget folds away so it can fit easily into your cutlery and utensil drawer, and they are available in green or white.

We’ll discuss the actual matter of cooking the pancakes next week, but you’ve got seven days to get yourself looking the part now at least. And as we all know – that’s half the battle.