Cornish Pasty
Recipe handed down from my great grandmother. Individual pasties were often made for lunches for the men in the fields or on the seas.
The British Bulldog! Traditional Layered Beef Steak Suet Pudding
A traditional British steamed savoury pudding – fluffy dumping style suet pastry layered with tender and succulent braised beef steak – pure comfort food. Once you have prepared this, just let it steam quietly away in the background, whilst you get on with other things. Unmould this pudding at the table and serve it immediately with extra gravy, steamed seasonal greens and mounds of fluffy mashed potatoes. There is an urban myth in the UK, that men ask woman who can cook this delicious savoury pudding to marry them……..be warned…….be careful! Preparation time includes the cooking of the beef steak before the pudding is made and steamed. (This recipe comes from my family’s recipe collection – it was cooked regularly by my grandmother and my mum; the original recipe is written in pencil on a scrap of paper………it was like finding real treasure!)
Truly British Brandy Butter: for Festive Figgy and Plum Pudding!
Make your own brandy butter to smother over delicious, homemade Christmas Figgy or Plum pudding, and in only 5 minutes with this easy recipe,……….no Christmas table would be without this “naughty but nice” accompaniment! This is also wonderful when served with hot mince pies……prise open the pastry lids and dollop some brandy butter inside, preferably when they are warm, so the brandy butter runs through the pies! This makes a great gift – pack the brand butter into an attractive pot and add serving instructions. .
Traditional British Mothering Sunday Simnel Cake
A wonderul spiced & fruited cake which heralds the advent of Spring. I used to make one for my Mum every year, when I lived in England! Traditionally made to mark Mothering Sunday, this cake is also known as an Easter Cake; Simnel cake has a fascinating cultural heritage with roots that stretch back to the Romans and Athenians. In Britain, known as the Shrewsbury Simnel, it is simply made using white flour, fragrant spices and is generously studded with dried fruits and pungent peel. Like a Christmas cake, it is covered with pale sweet almond paste. The decoration is plain – eleven little balls of smooth paste which represent the apostles (omitting Judas). A specially baked simnel cake is a wonderful gift to take to your mother, for Mothering Sunday Tea Time. Decorate it with crystalised flowers and tie some yellow ribbon around the side.
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.
