Great Britain, United Kingdom, UK… whatever you want to call it, there’s far more to the little island than tea and The Queen.
Full English Breakfast
Also known as a ‘fry up‘, this behemoth of a breakfast is a staple in most British households. The contents may vary, but there’s usually a combination of sausage, bacon, egg, beans, mushroom, tomatoes, black pudding, and toast.
Shepherds Pie
Shepherds Pie is basically minced lamb with some vegetables (usually carrots) in gravy, which is then topped with mashed potato. It’s all put in the oven to bubble away and get crispy on top.
There are variants on the recipe such as Cottage Pie, which is made using beef mince instead of lamb mince.
Fish and Chips
Whether it’s a leisurely stroll along the sea front, or a nice treat on a Friday evening, Fish and Chips is about as British as it gets. A perfectly fried piece of fish (usually cod or haddock) served alongside proper chunky chips with lashings of salt and vinegar. No french fries or ketchup here!
Beef Stew and Dumplings
Beef stew and dumplings is a hearty winter dish which will stick to your ribs. It’s a thick stew made with beef (usually braising steak and the fattier the better so it renders down and melts in your mouth) and carrots in a thick stock. It is cooked in the oven for 2-3 hours with suet dumplings on top of it.
Sunday Roast
The Sunday Roast originated in the British Isles as a meal to be eaten after church on Sunday, and consists of a roast meat (usually beef, lamb, or chicken) and a selection of roast and boiled vegetables. What you put on it is completely up to you – stuffing, Yorkshire puddings, or even some cauliflower cheese if you go to a Harvester.
Toad in the Hole
Don’t let the name put you off trying this traditional English dish as it’s really delicious. Toad in the hole is simply sausages baked in Yorkshire putting batter, then served with onion gravy and mixed vegetables.
Faggots and Peas
Faggots are meatballs made with varying cuts of meat and offal (kidney, liver, heart), which are then wrapped in caul before cooking in a rich gravy. You will find them still very popular in the Black Country, West Midlands.
Unfortunately the name of the dish has caused some controversy in recent years due to it being associated with homophobic slurs in the USA. Facebook even tried to ban the word, but they eventually blamed a tech fault.
Scone with Jam and Clotted Cream
Never has there been a more divisive item of food. Do you call it a “Scone” or “Scon”? Do you put the jam or cream on first? I’m sure whoever you ask will have a differing opinion and there will be no way to reach a compromise. Either way, this delicious summer treat is something you must try.
Trifle
Is it even a party if your nan doesn’t make her famous trifle? This classic has been around for as long as I can remember and is definitely the definition of a family party. It’s made with light sponge (or lady fingers) soaked in booze such as sherry or fortified wine, then layered with custard, jelly, and fruit, and finally topped with a layer of whipped cream.
Bread and Butter Pudding
Bread and Butter Pudding is exactly what is says. The sweet and creamy dish is layers of bread and butter covered in raisins and an egg custard mix spiced with vanilla or nutmeg, before being baked in the oven. The result is a deliciously sweet dish you would be hard-pushed to resist.
Sausage Roll
And finally, what would life be without a sausage roll; particularly a Greggs sausage roll? I can’t even entertain that thought. These little beauties have become almost iconic in Britain, and there was even a #1 Christmas single in honour of it! Check out Ladbaby’s ‘We Built This City …on Sausage Rolls (Official Music Video)’ below:
