Ploughman’s Lunch (British Pub Lunch)

This is a Mature Cheddar and Chutney Sandwich, just one of the sandwiches sold under the “Ploughman’s Lunch” heading listed on pub menu’s in Great Britain. Bloomer Bread is a chewy, dense bread that is made with very long rising times to develop the flavor of the wheat and the yeast.

British Fig Rolls – Almost Better Than Shop Bought!

This is a recipe I found many years ago for authentic Fig Rolls, and they are almost better than the shop bought variety, much though I love the commercial ones! Try to roll out the pastry as thinly as possible, other than that, this recipe is a breeze to make. Fig rolls are a much-loved “biscuit” from my childhood days and I make them whenever I can as I now live in France, as we cannot get them here. Fig rolls are great for a mid-morning snack with a cuppa as well as being ideal for school lunchboxes, picnics, gifts and afternoon tea. (I have posted this recipe on Zaar especially for Lalaloula, who asked about a fig roll recipe in the British forum.)

Marmite on Toast – a Veritable British Classic!

I cannot believe there is no “recipe” for marmite on toast here! Okay, maybe calling it a recipe is stretching it a bit far, but it is a British breakfast classic, and if you LOVE marmite, you will love marmite on hot buttered toast! Use a nice nutty, granary bread and a cheeky little butter for the prefect Marmite in Toast extravaganza! Make a perfect pot of tea, Recipe #263420, for the perfect accompaniment and away you go, you’ll be saying “Cor blimey Guv’ner” in no time!

Traditional British Boozy Mincemeat – Fat Free

An adaptation from an old family “Traditional Mincemeat” recipe which was passed down through my Mum’s side of the family. This one however is FAT FREE – NO suet or butter and it still KEEPS for up to a year or two; I currently have a jar from 3 years ago which has aged and matured beautifully! I have called it traditional mincemeat as it has all the traditional ingredients apart from the fat and it is VERY EASY to make. I am posting this in early September so it can be made now and allowed to mature ready for Christmas MINCE PIES. Where I have stated rum or brandy, please use any strong liquor that you may have available; it’s just that brandy or rum work very nicely with the ingredients. Make some pretty labels, add a paper or fabric lid cover with a ribbon and then hang a pie, scone or cookie cutter from the neck – and voila, a thoughtful home-made gift! N.B. It’s the alcohol that keeps this mincemeat, so if you want a non-alcoholic version, I have a traditional suet mincemeat recipe posted, which does not need much if any alcohol – Recipe #257241.

British Open Top Steak, Ale and Stilton Pub Style Pies

Delicious individual pies which are perfect for supper, lunch or a picnic. These contain steak & onions cooked in good quality ale with a Stilton cheese & mashed potato topping, instead of the usual pastry. My own invention which is requested regularly now; this recipe was born out of left over mashed potato, stewed steak in ale and the dried up end pieces of some Stilton cheese! Here I have given instructions for my basic steak in ale casserole, but have assumed that you will know how to make mashed potatoes – I have also suggested frozen shortcrust pastry for ease! Serve these pies with chips, more mashed potatoes and seasonal vegetables….and don’t forget the pint of ale to accompany them! “British Open Top” is a play on words, based on the British Open Top Mini car I used to have when I was a student….NO pastry tops here you see!!

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