English Food

I thought I would dedicate this post to the joys of English cuisine. I know what you're probably thinking...the "joys" of English food? Really? I know English food gets a bad rap, but I'm actually being completely serious. I've been nothing but impressed with the different foods and dishes I've tried since I've been here. So far I've been treated to a number of traditional English fares and all have been delicious. I've sampled the proper English breakfast which consists of grilled sausages, bacon (more Canadian-style than American-style), scrambled eggs, toast, Heinz beans, and grilled tomatoes. The dinner equivalent is a roast dinner, which I have also been lucky enough to try thanks to the expert culinary skills of a certain Englishman I know (see photo). A roast dinner is typically a Sunday meal and can be any kind of meat (e.g. chicken, lamb, duck, beef), but the fixins' are what's important: roast potatoes and parsnips, veg (something green), stuffing, gravy, and Yorkshire pudding. Oh my, for those of you who haven't tried Yorkshire pudding, run, don't walk, to the nearest English-style pub and order some immediately. It's divine. Anyway, a roast dinner is kind of like Thanksgiving the way it all mixes together and tastes even better. Just without the cranberry sauce. And the pumpkin pie. I've also had the pleasure of eating homemade mincemeat pies, a Scotch egg, various English cheddar cheeses, and my new favorite breakfast/snack/lunch/whatever: pickled eggs (see photo). I cannot begin to relate to you the gastronomic delights of the pickled egg: the finest distilled white vinegar, free range organic eggs, what's not to love?? Ok, maybe it's just me, but I'm totally hooked. You just gotta trust me on this one.

Things I still need to try that people keep telling me about (at least those I can remember):

1. Steak and kidney pie

2. Toad in the hole

3. Bubble and squeak

4. Black pudding

5. Haggis

6. Treacle tart

7. Christmas pudding