I've been thinking a lot lately about all the things that I miss from the UK foodwise.  I lived there for over 20 years and I think its fair to say that their culture and food became firmly entrenched in my being. 

I can remember being told before I moved over there that it rained all the time and that the food was awful.  I thought to myself, what the heck am I letting myself in for!

Contrary to popular opinion it doesn't rain all the time, although it does rain a lot.  The rain is a part of what makes this such a beautiful green and lush country.  I soon learned that you don't melt in the rain and I came to embrace it.  There is nothing you can't do in the rain with a good brolly and a pair of Wellingtons.  There is naught so bracing as a walk in the countryside in a gentle rain, culminating in a pub trip at the end of the walk and a lovely Pub lunch.

Which brings me to the food. I think it is a fair statement to say that you can come across horrible food anywhere. I have to say my experience eating in the UK was, to be honest, simply wonderful.  Admittedly they don't really do salads very well, those are always hit and miss, but living back here in Canada my heart yearns for the meats, cheese, dairy and fresh produce of the UK.  

It really was some of the best in the world in my opinion. A fresh British strawberry during Strawberry season is a little taste of heaven. The UK is filled with wonderful producers of meats, fruits, vegetables, cheeses, poultry, etc. and most of them deliver all over the country, usually overnight.

I know it is a much smaller country, and that is a lot easier to do in a smaller country, but I find myself really missing good home food delivery, amongst other things.

There are some foods that the British do better than anyone else. Today I am sharing my top ten list of what they do really well. (Of course this is just my opinion and you are free to add your own in the comments below!)

SANDWICHES

Nobody does sandwiches better than the British.  They invented them. They love their sandwiches and the country is filled with lovely sandwich shops selling some of the best sandwiches you could ever buy. Most Brits will happily chow down on a sandwich from one of these shops for their lunch and what Tea Party is complete without an assortment of finger sandwiches.

When I first got there I was astonished by the variety of sandwiches on offer.  Cheese and Tomato, Cheese and Onion, Tuna and Sweet Corn, Tuna and Cucumber, Roast Beef,Rocket and Horseradish, etc. That is just tip of the ice berg. 

One of my favorites was the cheese and pickle sandwich.  Buttered white bread sandwiched together with a nice layer of Branston's Pickle and a good cheddar cheese.  I love LOVE Cheese and Pickle sandwiches. Thankfully I can get Branston's here in Canada.  Good British Cheddar too.  So I am still well able to enjoy them. 

Other favorites were Egg and Cress (egg mayonnaise with layer of mustard cress sprinkled over the egg filling), a Chip Buttie ( hot fresh chips (French fries) sandwiched between slices of buttered white bread.) I always loved having a slice of buttered bread with my fish and chips just for that purpose. A bit of salt some vinegar, a few hot chips and that buttered bread and I was in sandwich heaven.

TOAST

Nobody does toast better than the British.  Always lovely and crisp.  I used to love stopping in coffee shops and having a hot drink and a slice or two of hot toast.  They have the nicest thick white bread called Toastie. It has to be about an inch thick.  

I worked in a Care Home in the kitchen when I first moved over to the UK and all the staff would enjoy a hot slice of toast on their morning break time.  It would pass through this toasting machine which would toast it slowly on both sides so that it came out lovely and crisp.

Toast in the cafe's always arrived at the table un-buttered with butter on the side ready for you to spread onto it yourself. This actually allowed the toast to cool down a bit so that it didn't become soggy once buttered. I think that is one of the secrets to good toast!

They eat a lot of toast and love to top their toast with a variety of things. Beans on Toast are a real favorite. Often, when you can't think of anything to make for supper, Beans on Toast makes a delicious and quick supper that most people enjoy.  Cheese on Toast is another favorite.  

The British actually love eating things on toast. You will often see them eating tomatoes on toast, mushrooms on toast and scrambled egg on toast. All  make fabulous simple suppers for those nights when you can't be asked to cook.

MEAT PIES

The British love their pies and they do them really well. Of course there are cheap and nasty ones (aren't there everywhere!), but if you were willing to fork out a tiny bit more dosh you could always get a really beautiful meat pie.  Steak and Mushroom, Steak and Kidney, Chicken and Mushroom, Lamb and Mint, even vegetable pies, etc. Beautiful pastries, ample rich fillings. All a delight served warm with mash and gravy.

Pork Pies were also a lovely British specialty. Made with hot water pastry, they were lovely served cold at picnics with a bit of pickle on the side.

I used to love ordering the pies from Piper's Farm.  They had a lovely assortment. I never had one that I didn't enjoy.  Thankfully I can make myself my own homemade pies.  A favorite is this Steak and Potato Pie.  I also make a really good Chicken and Mushroom Pie.  

THE BRITISH TAKEAWAY

When referring to a British Takeaway you are not just referring to food that you take away to eat in the comfort of your own home, but an actual shop that specializes in this type of food. Every community/village has at least one or two of these and most people have their favorite establishment that they love to buy their takeaway from.

You cannot eat a meal in most Takeaways. You can only purchase food to bring away to eat elsewhere.  Popular options include:

• Kebabs - Meat or chicken grilled and cut into slices and then folded into hot pita bread with salad, tomatoes and sauce.
• Sausage rolls and meat pies.
• Fried chicken.
• Burgers
• Fish and chips
• Chinese and Indian food

FISH AND CHIPS

This should come as no surprise.  Nobody does Fish and Chips better than the British. Most people do not cook this at home. They will pick up a frozen version or they will get some at their local Chippie.  It is a dish that most wouldn't make at home and really, when you can buy really good fish and chips ready made and hot, why would you want to.

I can remember the first Fish and Chips I had in the UK.  Bought at the my local Parade of shops in Blacon, Chester. The piece of fish so large it was hanging off the sides of my plate. The chips thick and crisp. Both  came sprinkled liberally with salt and malt vinegar and then wrapped in plain newsprint.  So delicious.

Most Friday nights the line up at Fish and Chip shops will go out onto the street, filled with people waiting to pick up their Friday night supper and yes, a slice of buttered white bread goes very nicely as does mushy peas.

It is also impossible to go to the Seaside without treating yourself to fish and chips. They always, always have really good fish and chips there. Nothing tastes better, eaten on a bench on the boardwalk, looking out over the water with the smell of salt water and the sound of gulls in the air.

Failing that, I do have a lovely recipe for Homemade Beer Battered Fish and Chips, which is delicious. 

SAUSAGES

Oh how I miss the great British Sausage.  They make the best sausages in the world and almost every area in the UK has a sausage that they are well known for. I was never enamored with sausage prior to moving to the UK. I just didn't find them very exciting, but I fell in love with the British Sausage, also lovingly called Bangers. Of course there are cheap and nasty ones, but nothing is more delicious than a quality British Banger in my opinion.  Plump and meaty and full of flavor.

My favorites are Cumberland and I do love a good Pork and Apple sausage. My sister and I have made our own from scratch back here in Canada and they were really good. There is a shop around the corner from me that sells the casings, etc. and I have a sausage making attachment for my Kitchen aid. I did post a great Tutorial here on how to make your own.

Classic Bangers and Mash is a favorite British Supper as is Toad in the Hole, which is sausages baked in a Yorkshire Pudding batter and served with gravy and mash. Sometimes I wrap the sausages in bacon before making that dish.

Bacon is something else they do really well and it comes in two types, smoked and unsmoked. You can get it with the rind still on, or the rind removed. Streaky (which is like North American Bacon, but meatier) and Back, which is lovely whole medallions.  Or you can get middle bacon with is like the one in the photograph above which has a piece of the back with some streaky still attached.  Dry or wet cured.  

See, no end to the options. I preferred Dry cured myself.

Perfect for a Bacon Sandwich, stuck between two slices of white bread and slathered with brown sauce.  I worked at a service station for a time and we sold bacon and sausage baguettes, and bacon & sausage baguettes.  The lineup used to be out the door every morning of working class men wanting their morning Butty and hot coffee.  Never underestimate the deliciousness of a good Bacon Sandwich.

THE FULL ENGLISH BREAKFAST

I fell in love with what is lovingly referred to as The Full English. Every decent B&B in the UK has on offer one of these lovely breakfasts.  When I first moved to the UK, on Saturday mornings we would treat ourselves to a Full English in town at the BHS store.  You paid by the item.  Baked beans, grilled tomatoes, bacon, sausage, grilled mushrooms, black pudding, hash browns, fried bread.

Only the heartiest eater could  manage to eat all of that. I usually just had bacon, sausage, egg, beans, mushrooms and tomatoes. Sometimes I would treat myself to a slice of fried bread. You can get my take on the Traditional English Fry Up here.   Bring your appetite!  I also have a recipe for Fried Bread here.  So good.

THE CREAM TEACream Tea actually refers to scones served with clotted cream and jam, and enjoyed with copious amounts of hot tea.  In the UK you will find  the Cream Tea available on most café menus, especially those situated near popular tourist spots like cathedrals, castles and stately homes. 

 

Morrisons, one of the major grocery chains here in the UK,  recently gave me some samples of their new autumnal range of freshly baked bread to try out.  Morrisons boasts more in-store bakers than any other supermarket and produces a whopping 40 millions loaves each year.  That's a LOT of bread!

They recently relaunched their baker range to include more than 70 new and improved products, including delicious artisan breads and pastries.  I am particularly fond of their Swiss Meusli Loaf (containing raisins, dried apple, oats, sunflower seeds, poppy seeds and flax seeds)!!



Focaccia - Available in two delicious varieties, Sea Salt & Rosemary and Mixed Olive, these tasty breads are ideal for dipping into extra virgin olive oil and Morrisons own Signature Balsamic Vinegar.  At £1.99 these are a delicious addition to any party table or buffet.




I love to serve them as a bread along with some hearty soups or stews . . . but enjoyed some here today with their suggestions of olive oil and balsamic vinegar.



They both had lovely light textures, but as a real Olive lover . . . the olive one was my absolute favourite.  I can see the Sea Salt & Rosemary one going very well with a hearty lamb or beef stew or soup!



The Tiger Paw - Perfect for children, this tear and share bread has a unique crusty mottled exterior, and with rolls in the shape of a tiger's paw.  It is ideal for picnics.  Fill with some finely sliced ham and all of the family favourite sandwich fillings to create a lovely lunchtime sandwich roll.  70p each or 2 for £1.

 

Honey & Sunflower Star -  This honey enriched bread blends the flavors of nutty sunflowers with the sweetness of honey to create a wonderful tear and share bread that is great with soups or pates.  A small version is also available in the Pick and Mix selection for 30p or five for £1.  This large loaf goes for £1.59, and I have to say upfront . . . this has always been one of my favorites in their bread range.  It has a beautiful flavor and texture and I love the nuttiness of the sunflower seeds, mixed with the sweetness of the honey.  I am particularly fond of it spread with softened butter and more honey, and then topped with a slice of cheddar . . . but then I am a bit crazy that way!



Chocolate Twist - Baked fresh in the store these chocolatey delights made with French butter are the perfect breakfast pastry and would be best served up with a nice cup of tea or an ice cold glass of milk.  They sell at 2 in a pack for £1.  I really enjoyed mine this morning with a nice cup of hot chocolate.  Tres magnifique!!



Sourdough Boule - This great all rounder is perfect for sandwiches, as a meal accompaniment or simply with lashings of Morrisons own Jersey Butter.  To take your sourdough to a new level why not spread on some of their soft Boilie Cheese with Sundried Tomato Pesto, along with your favourite fillings.

 

I really enjoyed this fine rustic loaf of bread.  It's sturdy and has a nice crumb and flavor, only slightly sour, in a most pleasant way . . . in short, this is the perfect loaf of bread in my opinion.  Today I used some of this to make us some delicious BLT sandwiches for our lunch, but of course . . .  knowing me as you do, you can just imagine that these were not your ordinary everyday BLT's!

And of course . . . you would be RIGHT!  (You know me so well . . . )

 

This is the way I have been making my BLT's for years.  Sometimes I stuff this delicious filling into hollowed out baguettes, perfect for taking on picnics.  I have never had anyone turn their noses up at them.

 

Today I simply presented them on lightly toasted slices of this fantastic Sourdough Boule!  It held up wonderfully with the flavors of this particularly tasty filling, and held things together in the best of ways.  A less sturdy loaf might not be able to withstand it all . . . but this was perfection.



Imagine . . . a sturdy well flavored loaf, topped with a scrummy Pesto mayonnaise . . . topped with crisp slices of fried streaky bacon and  thickly sliced fresh tomatoes . . . but that is not all . . .

 

Drizzle the tomatoes with a fabulous balsamic house dressing, prepared by your own two hands . . . tangy and sweet, perfect to enhance the flavors of those lovely ripe tomatoes . . . topped with shredded lettuce and another pesto mayo spread slice of that beautiful toasted Sourdough Boule!



Now THAT'S what I call a gooooood sandwich!!



*The World's Best BLT Sandwich*
Serves  4, depending on how hungry you are
Printable Recipe

This is a recipe I had previously posted on Food.com.  It truly is the world's best BLT.  What makes it the best?  Well maybe it's the Pesto Mayo . . . or it could be that lovely Balsamic House Dressing that you drizzle over the tomatoes.  Whatever it is, it IS the world's best, hands down.  (The version on Food.com is a stuffed Baguette.  I have adapted it here today to be made as a normal sandwich.)

4 thick slices of sour dough bread
5 TBS of good quality mayonnaise (I like Hellman's)
3 TBS good quality basil pesto (make your own or use a good
one from the chiller section of your local grocery store)
10 slices of streaky bacon, cooked until  crisp
2 large ripe fresh tomatoes, thickly sliced (I always store my tomatoes on the countertop,
it makes them tastier.  Never put them in the fridge.)
1 head of red leaf lettuce, washed, dried and shredded

For the house dressing:
(Use any leftovers in salads over the next couple of days)
60ml of balsamic vinegar, best quality (1/4 cup)
3 TBS caster sugar
2 TBS Dijon mustard
1/2 tsp soy sauce
125ml of extra virgin olive oil

First make the house dressing.  Place all of the ingredients, with the exception of the olive oil into your blender.  With the motor on low, very slowly drizzle in the olive oil, blending until it is thoroughly combined.  Set aside.

Preheat the grill or broiler.  Toast your slices of bread, very lightly on both sides.  Remove from the grill, and keep warm.

Whisk together the mayonnaise and pesto.  Spread some of this mixture onto one side of each slice of toasted bread.  Top half of the slices with the cooked bacon and top with the sliced tomatoes.  Drizzle with some of the house dressing. Place the shredded lettuce onto the other toasted and pesto covered bread slices, dividing it equally.  Press the sandwiches together with all of the fillings on the inside and serve.  Cut in half on the diagonal to serve.

  

The Toddster and I both enjoyed these very much.

Many thanks to Katie Hoy of 3MONKEYS communications and Morrisons for affording me this delicious opportunity.  All of these fabulous breads are available now at Morrisons throughout the United Kingdom.