February 11, 2012

Brit Recipes: British Christmas Fruitcake even the Yanks will love

Can't have Christmas without fruitcake--even in America.

Americans love to joke about that Christmas fruitcake that's been going around the world, or the one that holds up the door, or…well, you know. I know because I used to be one of those fruitcake-disdainers but, since I married a Brit, I've discovered that the problem is not fruitcake per se … [Read more...]

Brit Recipes: Summery curried shrimp

A little sweet, a little heat—and lovely, all over!

I'm the first to admit that it is hard to find an English main course recipe that doesn't start with "take half a pound of lard..." Nothing wrong with that of course, but in summer, we all crave lighter fare, even this true-blue Brit! So let's turn to the exotic East, the lazy days of the Raj and … [Read more...]

Brit Recipes: Tall and languid Pimms Cup

Refreshing Pimms Cup helps you forget the heat

Here's the perfect English drink for the long hot summer in Washington! In fact, wherever you are, a Pimms Cup will help you endure the heat with more aplomb and less pique. It's tall, languid, mildly boozy, and quite refreshing. Pimm's Cup is madly English and quite the upper-crust tipple. … [Read more...]

Brit Recipes: I’ll have some Madeira Cake, me dear!

Rich, moist Madeira Cake, fresh from the oven

(This one's by Prodigal Wife, the baker in our household) Before I met the old Prodigal Tourist, I assumed, as other Americans probably do, that Madeira Cake had Madeira in the batter, or perhaps that the sweet wine might be "fed" to the cake after it is baked, much like one adds brandy to a … [Read more...]

Brit Recipes: Luscious Stuffed Mushrooms

Stuffed mushrooms disappear as quickly as we put them out

Another really simple dish, but I made these stuffed mushrooms last weekend and everyone loved them, so here they are. You will need a bag of spinach, half pound box of medium to large size mushrooms, three or four rashers of bacon, breadcrumbs mixed with a spoonful of parmesan (parmesan optional … [Read more...]

Brit Recipes: Glorious Eton Mess

Chocolate shavings are the perfect complement to this simple dessert

The weather turned unusually warm last week and my thoughts turned to languid summers and strawberries and cream and... Eton Mess! The dish was invented by the boys attending Eton College-that bastion of privilege in the lovely village of the same name-and usually served up on parents day or at … [Read more...]

Brit Recipes: Stuffed pears with an English twist

Stilton is a lovely addition—and makes this pear oh, so English

Here's a refreshing, very simple starter to add to your repertoire. The Stilton cheese make this a very proper English dish. This recipe is enough for at least four servings, with a half a pear per guest. Of course, you might like this so much you'll need a whole pear! You need two ounces of … [Read more...]

Attention Anglophiles in New York: A Yank Back to England LIVE!

If you're in the New York area and you've read the brilliant book A Yank Back to England - then this will interest you greatly. They've got a couple promotional events going on. Here are the details: A YANK BACK TO ENGLAND—NEW YORK EVENTS! MARCH 26 & 28 Barnes & Noble at … [Read more...]

Brit Recipes: Post-Paddy Bubble & Squeak

Cabbage, spuds, and bacon...my version of bubble & squeak

Stuck with leftover St. Patrick's Day cabbage and spud? Here's my home version of another cornerstone of English cuisine: Bubble and Squeak. So easy, not a real recipe really. I cook up some bacon and fry up the chopped, leftover spuds and greens in the rendered fat. I let everything brown for a few … [Read more...]

Brit Recipes: Two Pigs in a Poke and Wessex Stew

A little taste of Christmas--anytime

Two pigs...or two recipes using the same cut of meat--pork loin, one of my favorites. Surprisingly, while raiding the prodigal larder I discover we had some leftover mincemeat we made last Christmas; not enough for a batch of tarts but just enough for this....a stuffing for pork loin.  And it … [Read more...]

Brit Recipes: Shepherd’s Pie, Prodigal Style

Heartwarming Shepherd's Pie

Shepherd's Pie is basically minced (ground) meat covered and sealed with a potato lid that keeps it hot. That's probably why this dish is a perennial favorite in British pubs: it can be made in advance and kept warm for hours, and it's quite cheap and easy to make. Mind you, Shepherd's Pie in pubs … [Read more...]

Brit Recipes: A Brit Breakfast for Brunch – Guide to British Breakfast

How can anyone resist a complete English breakfast

I know, I know, it's not healthiest way to start your day, but my oh my, English breakfast is delicious. Also, the feeling of well being a complete English breakfast permeates is something to behold. And, really, if you just had this feast every few months or so, I don't think you'll come to much … [Read more...]

Brit Recipes: Heart-warming Toad in the Hole

This delicious dish, as you can imagine, has nothing to do with greenish amphibians. Toad in the Hole is a classic of English cookery, in which banger-like sausages are set and baked within a large Yorkshire pudding (see recipe a few posts back). Kate and I like our Toad with baked beans. If you're … [Read more...]

Brit Recipes: A Traditional English Christmas Pudding

The final product

Yes, I made a turkey this week, complete with stuffing, gravy, mash, and about a dozen side dishes. But I also made the Prodigal Christmas pudding-and you should make yours now too. It gets better and better until it's perfect for the big day! A few things to bear in mind when attempting to … [Read more...]

Denis Lipman from A Prodigal Tourist Reads the First Chapter of his New Book

Our lovely British Recipe and food blogger - Denis Lipman - has his book coming out in the next few weeks. To mark it - he's made a lovely youtube video of himself reading the first chapter in his book - A Yank Back To England. After watching this - I can safely say that I can't wait to read … [Read more...]

Brit Recipes: Light and lovely Yorkshire Puddings

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Apparently, Yorkshire puddings first came about, not surprisingly, in Yorkshire, in Victorian times when meat was scarce and people were poor. Puds were served as a first course to fill people up. Today, things are a little better. And nothing is better than a slice of rare beef with a Yorkshire … [Read more...]

Brit Recipe Special: A Guide to Brit Sauces and Condiments to Relish

piccalilli

For years cruel, jealous folk-a.k.a., foreigners-have spread the vicious rumor that we Brits put sauce on everything to cover up the taste of our appalling cooking. Well. Be that as it may, don't let all those fussy nay-sayers put you off trying the odd jar or two of Brit relishes, or making the … [Read more...]

Brit Recipes: Cauliflower Cheese – A tradition reclaimed

Cauliflower2S

Sadly the reputation for cauliflower cheese has waned over the years and been relegated to the realm of ghastly pub food. Even now, in many hostelries throughout the land, this maligned dish can usually be found rubbing shoulders with a tray of baked beans, shepherd's pie, and bangers, held under … [Read more...]

Brit Recipes: Roast lamb worth the gambol

Lamb2-72

We have a wonderful variety of seafood and meats here in the States. For instance, beef here is so good, I used to pack a rib roast and bring it to Blighty to share with my folks. They just loved it! That being said, I must confess, I do miss English or Welsh lamb. Sadly, Americans are not big lamb … [Read more...]

Good News from A Prodigal Tourist

I got some great news for our intrepid British Recipe blogger - Denis from A Prodigal Tourist. As most of you know, Denis has a brilliant book coming out in the next few months that I can't wait to read. The book is about: Denis Lipman left London's East End for Washington, DC more than 20 years … [Read more...]

Brit Recipes: Potted Fish – Creamy and sophisticated

PottedFish

Here is a wonderful nibble for a special dinner party, or it could be used as an elegant starter. This is a great dish for company because you can easily make it a day before you need it. You need 8 oz. of filleted herring-sold as kipper fillets, or smoked trout or haddock, or white fish, or … [Read more...]

Brit Recipes: A Cool British Watercress Soup

Watercress1S

Being a Brit, I've always had a fondness for watercress sandwiches, the kind one has for tea with the crusts cut off, but I've always wanted to take their sophisticated, contrasting flavors from the tea table to the dinner table. Here, then, is my take on an old favorite, now transformed into an … [Read more...]

S’Mores: A Brit Twist on an American Campfire Classic

If you are traveling to Britain and want to go camping, you will probably want to make some s'mores. After all, what is a camping trip without them? On my recent camping trip I of course had to pack the necessary supplies for making s'mores over the campfire. Upon entering the biscuit aisle of … [Read more...]

Brit Recipes: How To Make Grilled Tandoori Chicken

tandoori

Indian food is as English as bangers and mash, one of the best vestiges of the British Raj. There's nothing quite like the scent of basmati rice spiked with cloves and silky threads of saffron perfuming the air. But, much to my Mum's chagrin, sometimes I deviate from pukkah curry and sample other … [Read more...]

Brit Recipes: How To Make British Summer Puddings

SummerPud2

My American family never quite took to the cooling charms of Summer Pudding, that quintessential English dessert. They said it was too bready, too pudding-like, and just a bit too splodgy. And I really cannot blame them: apart from fresh fruit, the standard recipe is mostly day-old white bread and … [Read more...]

Recipes from The Prodigal Tourist: And Is There Scones Still For Tea?

SconesTray1S

Editor's Note: This is the first in an ongoing series of articles featuring classic British recipes. Perfect for the Anglophiles out there who like to cook. Also, check out the author's The Prodigal Tourist blog here. A gentle nod to Grantchester and Rupert Brooke, but when it comes to England … [Read more...]

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