Very British – Salty, Strange Food
February 8, 2008The British have the tendency to prepare unenjoyable meals – but is this really true or just a stereotype? I think there is a grain of truth in it. When I visited Britain, I was allowed to acquire a taste for British food. Next to „normal“ food like curry or french fries,
they have a great passion for salty food. They put salt and vinegar on everything that is eatable. Especially potato-chips are covered by tons of salt and vinegar.
One funny thing is the fact that British people like gyros pita bread with french fries between the two slices of bread. Again, covered with vinegar.
Another vice of the English is to mix chocolate up with orange flavour. Nearly every known candy bar (e.g. Twix) is also available as a special with orange flavour. Why can’t they leave the chocolate on its own? Chocolate is such a gift and you should honor it.
But I have to admit that there is some English food that I like. I really love the traditional Sunday dinner, which consists of peas, baked beans, mashed potatoes, gravy, meat and Yorkshire pudding. Even if it is called „Yorkshire pudding“, you can guess that is no real pudding, it is a dish made from batter. Unfortunately it is the only British dish that I like.
Maybe you can think of at least one delicious English dish! Please help me to refuse the stereotype of bad English food.
I give you salt and vinegar crisps and salt and vinegar on chips but noone I ever knew put it on everything. I really only like a little salt on potatoes.
I admit that choc and orange is a popular combination but I have never seen choc orange “everything” it must have been a special edition?
Also, a traditional Roast dinner would NEVER have baked beans, or mash potatoes, it’s roast potatoes and seasonal veg, yorkshire puddings go with roast beef, chicken and stuffing, lamb and mint, pork and apple sauce.
I think the problem is that people think that all British peaple eat is stodgy food, but it is the older generation that do. This came from war time when rationing meant that more filling meals were needed. The problem isn’t with the food, but often with the person cooking it. My Grandma likes to boil her veatables to a lovely mush, yuk!
I think that most younger people now cook a real variety of food inspired by many different cultures.
I think a good thing about English food is that it is not over complicated with too many flavours so you are still able to taste the fresh vegatables.
When cooked properly British food is lovely and comforting, especially the desserts, bread and butter pudding, scones with jam and cream.
There are lots of bad things you can say about every country’s food if you look for it, I guess we all have a different view on what is good food.