Good British food... does it exists?

[cikame]

I'm from the UK but what i eat really isn't important to me, basic tastes, i like mild cheese alot.

 

[BrotherSurplice]

Well, when I saw that this thread had ran to five pages I knew that everything I had ever thought of ever would have been said, but as a proud Englishman I must add my opinion into the mix!

The baffling stereotype that British food is terrible is a lie. A god-damned, nonsensical, stupid, frog spawned lie. Be careful in London. Being our capital, it's quite the tourist trap. Find yourself a good proper pub and order some nice hearty roast beef with big chunky golden chips. Then you shall see what proper British food is like.

 

[Frungy]

And the fudge shall not be denied. Now that I think about it, I have no idea how widespread fudge is.

Sorry mate, but fudge is actually a European food... being made primarily from sugar, which was imported from India.

Americans added chocolate to it, fruit to it, etc. but the original dishes, toffee, fudge and the primary recipes are all European.

Claiming that fudge is American is like claiming that the U.K. invented lamb just because it put mint sauce on top. Adding a different garnish doesn't reinvent the dish.

... so sorry, but ... DENIED.

 

[RhombusHatesYou]

Bah, it wouldn't matter if British cuisine was terrible because they invented brown sauce and with enough brown sauce you can eat anything.

 

[Furbyz]

And the fudge shall not be denied. Now that I think about it, I have no idea how widespread fudge is.

Sorry mate, but fudge is actually a European food... being made primarily from sugar, which was imported from India.

Americans added chocolate to it, fruit to it, etc. but the original dishes, toffee, fudge and the primary recipes are all European.

Claiming that fudge is American is like claiming that the U.K. invented lamb just because it put mint sauce on top. Adding a different garnish doesn't reinvent the dish.

... so sorry, but ... DENIED.

You are correct about toffee, of course, but no, the exact process for making fudge is widely believed to have been discovered in 1886 in Baltimore during a botched attempt to make caramels. The crystallizing of the sugar, milk, and butter mixture and whipping it as it cools to the creamy texture characterized as modern day fudge was happened upon in America. I am not denying that other similar confections are European, but fudge, as we know it today, is American. We didn't come along and add chocolate. We came along, screwed up a completely different recipe, and it happened to turn out pretty well. Here's a European that did his research admitting such and a host of others saying the exact same thing.

http://www.worldwidewords.org/articles/ar-fud1.htm

http://www.darbysfudge.com/fudgehistory.html
http://www.thenibble.com/reviews/main/candy/old/history-of-fudge.asp
http://bbgees.com/History_of_Fudge_Explained.html

Though, you could go so far to say as we didn't come up with a dish so much as a texture. I would consider that a very valid point.

Also, I apologize for my countrymen. I really have no idea why this place breeds such stubborn, pigheadedness, but it does with frightening regularity.

 

[Ryotknife]

And America has produced at least one legitimate wholly unique food. Sure, it's only one of the more recent in a long line of confectionery pursuits, but America gave the world fudge.

And the fudge shall not be denied. Now that I think about it, I have no idea how widespread fudge is.

If we go all Native American on you, then we can probably add pretty much anything made out of corn, such as cornbread, grits, and hush-puppies. Soul food borrows extensively from Native American cuisine.

you could, but why would you want to add those? Grits are terrible, cornbeard and hush puppies are basically the same thing except one is more fried than the other.

 

[Mikejames]

British food is fucking awesome.

Sorry, normally I hate anything to do with nationalism, but I never understood this thing where British cuisine gets spat on. We've got some of the tastiest food on the planet, and even better, it'll actually fill you up!

Yes. While visiting family in England, every place with breakfast that I stayed at was phenomenal. Very thick, but still crispy bacon, full cooked sausage, fried tomatoes over egg, and sweetened grains that put my mini-wheats to shame. That's just breakfast.

Great, now I'm craving things that I won't be able to find...

 

[Frungy]

You are correct about toffee, of course, but no, the exact process for making fudge is widely believed to have been discovered in 1886 in Baltimore during a botched attempt to make caramels. The crystallizing of the sugar, milk, and butter mixture and whipping it as it cools to the creamy texture characterized as modern day fudge was happened upon in America. I am not denying that other similar confections are European, but fudge, as we know it today, is American. We didn't come along and add chocolate. We came along, screwed up a completely different recipe, and it happened to turn out pretty well. Here's a European that did his research admitting such and a host of others saying the exact same thing.

http://www.worldwidewords.org/articles/ar-fud1.htm

http://www.darbysfudge.com/fudgehistory.html
http://www.thenibble.com/reviews/main/candy/old/history-of-fudge.asp
http://bbgees.com/History_of_Fudge_Explained.html

Though, you could go so far to say as we didn't come up with a dish so much as a texture. I would consider that a very valid point.

The Scots Tablet (taiblet), which has a courser, grainier texture is closer to what I would consider Fudge (I quite dislike the more toffee-like fudges... if I want toffee I'll eat toffees, if I want fudge I want something crumbly that'll dissolve in my mouth), and predates the American Fudge by nearly a hundred years (the recipe is a little different, with the Scots tablet using sugar, condensed milk and butter, while the American Fudge uses sugar, butter, milk and often chocolate and/or fruit).

There's also a similar Indian (originally possibly Persian) dessert known as Barfi (an unfortunate name ) that dates back to the 16th century, which used similar ingredients to American Fudge, but normally includes nuts and and fruit.

The history of food is quite fascinating, and by the dates I would suggest that modern "Fudge" originated in ancient Persia, went to India, and then courtesy of colonisation made its way to Scotland and from there to the U.S., with each culture changing the recipe and flavour a little, as well as the trimmings.

I apologise for my original post placing the origin as European, it seems that the Middle East is most probably the earliest point of origin for the dish that we now call "fudge".

Also, I apologize for my countrymen. I really have no idea why this place breeds such stubborn, pigheadedness, but it does with frightening regularity.

You are an officer and a gentleman. Your apology is accepted with gratitude for the kind gesture.

 

[BiscuitWheels]

And America has produced at least one legitimate wholly unique food. Sure, it's only one of the more recent in a long line of confectionery pursuits, but America gave the world fudge.

And the fudge shall not be denied. Now that I think about it, I have no idea how widespread fudge is.

If we go all Native American on you, then we can probably add pretty much anything made out of corn, such as cornbread, grits, and hush-puppies. Soul food borrows extensively from Native American cuisine.

you could, but why would you want to add those? Grits are terrible, cornbeard and hush puppies are basically the same thing except one is more fried than the other.

Grits are tits, dude. Really, it's just another way to make risotto. And there is nothing at all wrong with cornbread. NOTHING. Crumble some into a nice spicy chili and I'm all set.

 

[Exterminas]

You are most likely not going to find "British Food" in London.
London is a world city. If you want to eat nothing but Thai Food for a week, it can be done more easily than finding some actual "British Food" there, whatever that may be.

 

[Radoh]

Oh get over yourself. I have American friends,

I can't be racist, I have a friend who is black!

but their inability to apologise does sometimes drive me a bit crazy.

Congratulations, you know some inconsiderate Americans out of 313 million.

Europeans will apologise as a reflex action, which can come across as quite insincere,

Same problem as before, only in reverse.

while those from the U.S. just seem completely unable to do it at all, and that comes across as arrogant and prideful.

Claiming this is true for all Americans because you know a few is totally not a prideful thing to say at all, because of course you aren't wrong.
Nope.

With the amount of hating on other cultures that has been going on across this entire thread I had to double check to make sure this wasn't in the R&P pit of snakes. FFS, how has a mod not grabbed onto this thread yet?

 

[Doogan]

Take a trip up to Scotland man and have yourself a Blackpudding Supper, Or a generous helping of Pie'n'Beans!

 

[flarty]

I'm headed to London with my uni on Saturday and I can't help but wonder just how true or false the jokes about British cooking skills are. Is there such a thing as tasty food from England? does it cost an arm and a leg? will it be served by a gentleman wearing a top hat and monicle?


also, if anyone is in the area and feels like hanging out with a ~190cm American, I'll more then likely be hanging out at the National Royal Hotel on the 6th at 6:30pm...

Go to a steak house and ask them to wash your steak in ammonia before cooking. You will feel right at home

 

[Epic Bear Man]

Saying Uk has no good food is like saying American serves just McDonalds. America jokes about the fact the English have bad teeth, talk posh and drink warm beer. Unfortunately, the English have better teeth hygiene than America, we dont talk posh, most of us are common and we drink beer cold.....apart from ales that are meant to be room temp.

I'm not even English (I'm American), but this. So much this. It pisses me off so much when I find an IPA that's freaking cold. IT'S MEANT TO BE ROOM TEMPERATURE! The coldness ruins the flavour so much!

Oh God, I just put a "u" in flavour--I mean flavor! Damn you Brits! You're starting to effect my Americanized vocabulary!

OT: The English have plenty of good food. Granted, I've never been to the UK to try their food firsthand, but I've made my own shepherd's pies before. Those things are nothing short of delicious, if you make them right. I'm not a big fan of fish though, so I have yet to ever try fish and chips, although a local hoagie's shop nearby me apparently makes a mean fish and chips. I just wish their cheesesteaks were nearly as good as those claims. >.>

 

[Spacefrog]

London is where I got the best lamb steak I have ever tried (I think the restaurant called it a Scottish grill plate)

And although it has been mentioned a couple of times across the tread; PIES!!!
I spent almost a week in London as part of a trip with my University, but the most memorable part of the trip was when I found a little pieshop in Covent garden (Their was toffee excellent too).
When I got home I tried several pie recipes and they turned out quite good.

My general advice when travelling to a place with different food; Try as much as you can, you might just find your new favourite food (It's how I found out I love Haggis)

Another thing I enjoyed on my trip was people-watching, I have never seen such a diverse city and they mingle so effortlessly.
We went to a pub/brewery (They had over 100 different kinds of beer) just before people got off work and just spent the next couple of hours watching as all kinds of people came in and enjoyed a beer, students, businessmen, carpenters, soldiers, Chinese, Indians, Englishmen, Scots, Irish. Everybody came in and mingled.
Back home in Denmark the different kinds of people go to their own drinking place, and they don't mix at all, so this kind of culture was truly fascinating and left quite an impression.

 

[maninahat]

THIRDED for Yorkshire.

I haven't ever seen a jar of jellied eels, though not for lack of looking.

Generally food is good, and you'll get a vaguely adequate cross section of the most popular English foods from the menus of most chain pubs. I don't recommend those however. Get your ass to Yorkshire and have a proper fish and chips, or ploughman's lunch, or chicken pie. Whatever.

English food isn't what I'd call the best, but it is very approachable, especially if you are from the States. The emphasis is on heartiness, which means lots of meat and unhealthy batter/pastry produce. You don't have to take many risks, because there aren't many foods that have a particularly robust flavour. Beer on the other hand...stay away from UK lagers, and try traditional ales. That's the safest bet, though you might find the stronger flavour a bit too much if you are particular about light beers. You know when you give a baby a lemon and watch it pull of a funny face? Turns out the same thing happens if you give an American a particularly excellent European beer (like Pauwel Kwak).

 

[Furbyz]

You are correct about toffee, of course, but no, the exact process for making fudge is widely believed to have been discovered in 1886 in Baltimore during a botched attempt to make caramels. The crystallizing of the sugar, milk, and butter mixture and whipping it as it cools to the creamy texture characterized as modern day fudge was happened upon in America. I am not denying that other similar confections are European, but fudge, as we know it today, is American. We didn't come along and add chocolate. We came along, screwed up a completely different recipe, and it happened to turn out pretty well. Here's a European that did his research admitting such and a host of others saying the exact same thing.

http://www.worldwidewords.org/articles/ar-fud1.htm

http://www.darbysfudge.com/fudgehistory.html
http://www.thenibble.com/reviews/main/candy/old/history-of-fudge.asp
http://bbgees.com/History_of_Fudge_Explained.html

Though, you could go so far to say as we didn't come up with a dish so much as a texture. I would consider that a very valid point.

The Scots Tablet (taiblet), which has a courser, grainier texture is closer to what I would consider Fudge (I quite dislike the more toffee-like fudges... if I want toffee I'll eat toffees, if I want fudge I want something crumbly that'll dissolve in my mouth), and predates the American Fudge by nearly a hundred years (the recipe is a little different, with the Scots tablet using sugar, condensed milk and butter, while the American Fudge uses sugar, butter, milk and often chocolate and/or fruit).

There's also a similar Indian (originally possibly Persian) dessert known as Barfi (an unfortunate name ) that dates back to the 16th century, which used similar ingredients to American Fudge, but normally includes nuts and and fruit.

The history of food is quite fascinating, and by the dates I would suggest that modern "Fudge" originated in ancient Persia, went to India, and then courtesy of colonisation made its way to Scotland and from there to the U.S., with each culture changing the recipe and flavour a little, as well as the trimmings.

I apologise for my original post placing the origin as European, it seems that the Middle East is most probably the earliest point of origin for the dish that we now call "fudge".

Also, I apologize for my countrymen. I really have no idea why this place breeds such stubborn, pigheadedness, but it does with frightening regularity.

You are an officer and a gentleman. Your apology is accepted with gratitude for the kind gesture.

Fair enough, while fudge may have been made independently, it certainly wasn't the first to heat sugar, milk, and butter (or any combination of the three) to the soft ball stage. Although, I do need to comment that fudge is not a general term for similar confections, but a rather specific one. Tablet and fudge simply aren't the same thing, as the signature characteristic of fudge is its smooth, creamy texture.

I also love culinary history. The history of beer is particularly interesting, some people going so far as to believe it may be the entire reason for the creation of civilization and the Agricultural Revolution. I find it fascinating because food so closely ties into the culture that made and cultivated it. Which says horrible things about my home because the Texas State Fair is responsible for both corn dogs and Fried Coke (well, fried coke is really just coke flavored beignets BUT STILL). It's a weird place, the State Fair, where wondrous, terrible things happen.

Thank you for telling me about Tablet and Barfi, I hadn't heard of them until now, and as I said I do love history. Actually, I think I'll try my hand at making Tablet today as I have most of the basic ingredients on hand. It seems easy enough as the basic gist of it is "make fudge but don't whip it." EDIT: The previous sentence is very wrong and was formulated before I actually looked up recipes and was going on my perception of the chemistry involved (less whipping = longer sugar crystals = grainy).

On a note unrelated to food, you mentioned earlier in this thread that your family held a grudge against the Stuarts. Well, oddly enough, I am descended from Irish Stuarts. I was wondering what they had done specifically. Or did you mean the royal family, which I have not established a direct line to yet?

Captcha: Love me
Oh Captcha, you know it was never meant to be between us. Move on. I don't care if you are mostly legible now. The time has passed.

 

[bandman232]

Snip

On talking posh, wasn't there a thing done (some documentary on TV) about british accents (and I mean the whole bloody lot of them, all 250 odd or however many) and how americans interpreted them and when questioning american students they couldn't understand a lot of them fully with the worst offender being the geordie?

Cuz I have american friends who've failed to understand what I'm saying when I descend into my native jargon.

Hey, just realised.....you will actually be able to drink a proper beer than that watery crap they serve in America.

Yeah we serve german beer in the UK : D[sup]Joke[/sup]

Yeah try the local beers, they're good stuff. Look out for things like Dark Lord, Old Tom, and any black sheep ale.

Honestly, you should try a lot of the microbrews in the US, they are very good. My favorite ones are Sierra Nevada and Great Lakes, and IPAs are the most popular style at the moment, but I don't are much for hoppy beers. I prefer anything from Porters and Stouts to Belgian Whites and Doppelbocks. If you can get a chance to try some good American craft beers, You won't be disappointed. BTW, I got me a pack of Guinness, so my night is complete. If I recall, Stone Brewery is available in the UK, so I suggest checking them out. I've heard very good things about them.

 

[NinjaDeathSlap]

Fish'n'Chips and Shepherd's Pie. UK cuisine is pretty darn ok to me.

Speaking of which, why isn't anyone taking a piss on traditional Swedish cuisine?

I probably would if I knew what passed for traditional Swedish cuisine (I'm guessing there's a lot of fish involved).

The nearest I've got to Sweden before in my travels is Iceland (the country, not the cheap supermarket). The food was the only thing about Iceland that I didn't absolutely love. Cured Shark and Pickled Rams Testicles? No thanks.