A British Classic – Pan Yan Pickle

A classic British No-Cook pickle for your sandwiches and cheese board! Remember Pan Yan pickle? It was a firm favourite in our home and my dad loved it slathered on top of cheese on toast! Now sadly discontinued, this fabulous British pickle with the catchy name is easy to make! I have fiddled around and recreated this recipe, and I am delighted with the results even though I say so myself. Lighter and with more “tang” then Branston pickle, I love it in sandwiches. Adjust the curry powder to your own tastes.

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.

Belgian Safehouse Drunken Applesauce

Upon arriving in Belgium you might think “AHH safety, finally I’m in an allied nation”..WRONG!!! Belgium is CRAWLING with red spies. You’re walking down the street thinking…Hmm, maybe I’ll grab some mussels and a beer then take in a nice marionette show. Then while you’re in the theater BAM…Abe Lincoln style. Anyway…In the Autumn in Belgium after the apple harvest there are always a bunch of apples not fit for eating out of hand…but when you’re holed up in a safehouse, you have to stretch everything to make ends meet. Maybe you didn’t finish you beer last night, but you can’t imagine drinking it…well here’s a use for it. I like this with very oniony pork chops. the savory from the caramelized on ions, the saltiness of the pork and the sweetness of the applesauce is absolutely perfect.

Sweet Apples in the Oven

A simple and homey dessert that is always satisfying as well as guilt-free. In Belgium, a baked apple is a traditional accompaniment to many pork and game dishes. But if you feel extravagant, you can transform the simple baked apples into a special dessert by serving them with Creme Anglaise (see recipe I posted). From Everybody Eats Well in Belgium.

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