There will also be gravy and an assortment of cooked vegetables on the side and any number of condiments such as Horseradish Sauce, hot English Mustard or Apple Sauce. Popular vegetables are cabbage, brussels sprouts, carrots, swede (rutabaga) and peas!
Number Two would have to be FISH AND CHIPS. This delicious dish has been a popular meal with the British since the 19th century. Known as a street food, even small Hamlets can boast of having their own fish and chips shop and it would not be a trip to the seaside without enjoying a feast of fish and chips, wrapped in white paper as you sit on a bench watching the waves and beating off the sea gulls. (They love fish and chips as well.)
The fish, which usually Cod, Haddock or Plaice is dipped in a delicious batter and deep fried. Chips are almost always hand cut and twice fried. You will always be asked if you want salt and vinegar on them and they will lavish them with salt and malt vinegar if the answer is yes. This is the ultimate finger food! When enjoyed in a sit down restaurant you will often have them served with some mushy peas and or coleslaw.
Simple, yes, but proof positive that sometimes simple can be very, very good. You can use oven chips if you wish, but once in a while it doesn't hurt to have a real chip. (In the UK French fries are called Chips.)
Number Four, CLASSIC SHEPHERD'S PIE - The UK is famous for all of their pies, steak and kidney, chicken and mushroom, pork pies, etc. but one of the absolute most comforting of pies is this classic. And its not really even a pie!
This is the perfect family meal and is very easy to make with a rich ground lamb and gravy filling topped with vegetables and a layer of fluffy mashed potatoes. You can top the potatoes with grated cheese if you wish. It is cousin to the also very popular COTTAGE PIE which is made with ground beef.
Both are equally popular and incredibly satisfying. You can also use leftover cooked beef or lamb in the fillings, which is how they were originally planned to be used, as a vehicle for the leftovers from Sunday dinner.
BUBBLE AND SQUEAK is another bonus meal created from the leftovers of Sunday lunch! Traditionally it is a hash made with leftover gravy, potatoes, cabbage, and onions, as well as brussels sprouts during sprout season, but really . . .
You can use whatever combination of cooked vegetables you have to hand . . . carrots, peas, parsnips, beans, swede . . . it doesn't really matter . . .
The name comes from the way it bubbles and squeaks in the pan as it is cooking.
Number six - BANGERS AND MASH - This is so popular that even songs have been written about it. Banger is a term lovingly used to describe sausages and is a term which began during World War ll. This was attributed to the sound that sausages might make when cooked under high heat, a pop and a sizzle.
You will find this tasty dish on offer at most pubs and restaurants in the country. What you get here is a delicious snappy skinned thick pork sausage grilled to perfection and served with a fluffy pile of mashed potatoes and plenty of onion gravy!
Number Seven - TOAD IN THE HOLE - This tasty dish combines grilled sausages and Yorkshire pudding batter. The sausages are partially cooked in a dish and once the fat has been released a pudding batter is poured around them and they are baked until the batter is all puffed and golden brown and the sausages are cooked through,
This is a favorite of one and all and delicious served with Bisto gravy and fluffy mash. The origin of the name 'Toad-in-the-Hole' is quite vague. Most suggestions are that the dish's resemblance to a toad sticking its little head out of a hole provide the dish with its somewhat unusual name.
Number eight - CHICKEN TIKKA MASALA - The British love their curries and Chicken Tikka Masala is a real favorite. Chicken tikka masala is a dish of pan roasted chunks of chicken in a spicy sauce. The sauce is usually creamy, spiced and orange-coloured, from the tomatoes that are in the dish.
It was almost certainly invented in Britain and is among the country's most popular dishes, leading a government minister, Robin Cook, to claim in 2001 that it was a British national dish.
When I went to Culinary school in the UK Chicken Tikka Masala was one of the first dishes we were taught to make.
Number 9 - APPLE CRUMBLE - So popular you could almost call it the National dessert. Usually served warm with cold cream for pouring over top, or warm custard sauce.
When it comes to an apple dessert you can't get much better than an apple crumble. I like the ones with the Oats in the crumble most of all. You can find my recipe for the custard here. This custard is also awfully good served with stewed rhubarb, another British favorite!
Number ten - THE CREAM TEA - You will find "Cream Teas" on offer throughout the UK, but they are truly a speciality of the SouthWest . . . Devon and Cornwall areas. I have seen Welsh Cream Teas as well as Cream Teas being offered in many other areas of the UK. In general nowadays, they are offered in Tearooms EVERYWHERE across the UK wherever someone wants to give an impression of British influence.
Not to be confused with high tea which is more like a meal, Cream teas are meant as a light lunch or snack and usually consist of CLASSIC SCONES, served with jam and clotted cream (a true British delicacy) and hot pots of tea.
This is by no means a complete list, but only the tip of a very delicious iceberg. I came to love many different dishes when I lived in the UK. Every region has their own specialty and all of them are endearingly delicious. These are just a few of the things which wangled their way into my foodie heart!!
There is Sticky Toffee Pudding and Banoffee Pie for instance, but I had to draw the line somewhere. If you ever are lucky enough to travel in the UK these are some of the more traditional culinary delights which await you! Bon Appetit!
.JPG "Macaroni Coleslaw")
.JPG "Macaroni Coleslaw")
.JPG "Macaroni Coleslaw")
- 1 cup (115g) dry ring macaroni or ditalini
- 1/2 package (7 ounces) coleslaw mix (cabbage, carrot, etc.)
- 4 spring onions, finely chopped
- 1 stick celery, trimmed and finely chopped
- 1/2 English cucumber, trimmed and finely chopped
- 1/2 medium green pepper, trimmed and finely chopped
- 1 small can water chestnuts, drained and chopped
.JPG "Macaroni Coleslaw")
- 3/4 cup (165g) good quality mayonnaise
- 2 1/2 TBS granulated sugar
- 2 TBS cider vinegar
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/8 tsp black pepper
.JPG "Macaroni Coleslaw")
.JPG "Macaroni Coleslaw")
.JPG "Macaroni Coleslaw")
.JPG "Macaroni Coleslaw")
.JPG "Macaroni Coleslaw")
.JPG "Macaroni Coleslaw")
.JPG "Macaroni Coleslaw")
I can't think of a better, more delicious way to kick off Salad Season 2022! Crisp and filled with plenty of crunch and texture.
Colorful and incredibly tasty! You are sure to love salad served this along side of all your favorite grills and BBQ. Yum yum!!
Macaroni Coleslaw
Ingredients
- 1 cup (115g) dry ring macaroni or ditalini
- 1/2 pkg (7 ounces) coleslaw mix (cabbage, carrot, etc.)
- 4 spring onions, finely chopped
- 1 stick celery, trimmed and finely chopped
- 1/2 English cucumber, trimmed and finely chopped
- 1/2 medium green pepper, trimmed and finely chopped
- 1 small can water chestnuts, drained and chopped
- 3/4 cup (165g) good quality mayonnaise
- 2 1/2 TBS granulated sugar
- 2 TBS cider vinegar
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/8 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Whisk all of the ingredients for the dressing together in a small bowl. Set aside.
- Cook the macaroni in a pot of lightly salted boiling water. Drain well. Rinse in cold water and drain again. Transfer to a medium sized bowl.
- Add the coleslaw mix, cucumber, green pepper, celery and water chestnuts. Toss to mix together.
- Add the dressing, tossing everything together to coat well.
- Cover and chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour prior to serving.
- 1/2 pound potatoes (230g) (any variety) peeled and cut into 1 inch cubes
- salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 TBS oil
- 1/2 small onion, peeled and chopped
- 1 fat clove garlic, peeled and minced
- 1/2 pound (230g) Kielbasa, peeled and sliced thin
- 1/4 small head of cabbage, sliced into ribbons (about 2 cups)
.JPG "Kielbasa Cabbage Potato Skillet")
Kielbasa Cabbage Potato Skillet
Ingredients
- 1/2 pound potatoes (230g) (any variety) peeled and cut into 1 inch cubes
- salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 TBS oil
- 1/2 small onion, peeled and chopped
- 1 fat clove garlic, peeled and minced
- 1/2 pound (230g) Kielbasa, peeled and sliced thin
- 1/4 small head of cabbage, sliced into ribbons (about 2 cups)
Instructions
- Place the chopped potatoes into a small casserole dish. Season with some salt and black pepper. Toss to coat. Cover tightly and microwave on high for about 3 minutes. Stir, recover and cook for an additional 3 minutes or so or until they are fork tender.
- Heat the oil in a medium/large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the oil and once it is hot, add the onions. Sauté for a few minutes until the onion is beginning to soften and caramelize slightly.
- Add the sausage and the garlic. Cook, stirring frequently for about 3 minutes. Add the potatoes and fold together. Add a bit more oil if need be. Spread out across the pan.
- Cook for two to 3 minutes until the potatoes are beginning to brown.
- Add the cabbage along with 2 TBS of water. Cover with a lid and reduce the heat to medium-low. Cook for a further 2 minutes until the cabbage is crispy tender. Fold everything together.
- Taste and add seasoning as required.
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