by Colin Anderson

Created on: March 13, 2011   Last Updated: March 14, 2011

Many people consider British food to be stodgy and unappetising, this could not be further from the truth. There are many traditional British recipies that are packed with flavour and there is such variety that there is sure to be something that everyone can enjoy.

One of the first meals that comes to mind when you think of British food is of course 'Fish and Chips'. This traditional British fast food can be purchased from small take-away resteraunts all over the UK, but it is also easy to

make at home. The most popular fish to use is generally cod, but other white fish such as huss or plaice may also be used. The fish is cut into fillets and dipped into a light batter before being deep fried and served with chips. The best potatoes to use for chips are ideally the maris piper variety. Popular accompanyments for fish and chips include pickled onions, pickled eggs and 'mushy peas'.

A national institution in the UK is the idea of the 'Sunday Roast'. Many families get together on sundays for this special meal, which generally includes a roast meat, roast potatoes, and vegetables. Roast Beef, served with 'Yorkshire Pudding', is the most popular meat for a Sunday Roast, but roast pork, roast chicken and roast lamb are also popular. At Christmas a variation of the sunday roast forms the basis of the Christmas dinner, with roast turkey or goose forming the centrepiece of the meal.

A English breakfast is another popular meal that is famous all over the world. Although there are many variations with different side dishes incorporated, the core of the dish is fried eggs and bacon. Typically this will be accompanied by fried mushrooms, baked beans and buttered bread. Sometimes black pudding or even lava bread is included depending on the part of Britian you are visiting. Generally this is all washed down with a sugary mug of tea. English breakfasts are often served in small cafes and they are served throughout the day, advertised as the 'all day breakfast'.

Originally from the south-west of England, a popular traditional snack food is the 'Cornish Pasty'. This is a pastry parcel containing mutton, carrots, potato and onion. The filling is traditinally raw when placed inside the pastry, and cooks as the pastry is baked. The European Union have added the Cornish Pasty to its list of protected foods. A product can only now be labelled as a Cornish Pasty if it was manufactured in Cornwall to the traditional recipie.

A popular British desert is the old classic 'Rice Pudding'. This is a delicious milk-based pudding containing rice, sugar and spices and is very filling and warming in the winter. It is cheap and easy to make, and can also be purchased ready made in shops and supermarkets. Although this is usually served hot, rice pudding can also be eaten cold from the fridge, which gives it a thicker and creamier consistency.

http://www.learncooking.co.uk/how-cook-perfect-fish- chips.html

http://www.mushypeas.co.uk/

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sponsored/foodanddrink/sa insburys-taste-the-difference/8019951/How-to-cook-th e-perfect-Sunday-roast-Sainsburys-Taste-the-Differen ce.html

http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/yorkshirepudding_9 3848

http://www.buryblackpuddings.co.uk/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JC2JqnyDeWE

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/foodanddrink/8340861/Corn ish-pasty-given-EU-protected-status.html

http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/rice_pudding

Learn more about this author, Colin Anderson.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.