About.com British & Irish Food

Bring on the Brussels

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 05:16:34 +0000

Brussels Sprouts with Chestnuts and Bacon

Love them or hate them, the poor old Brussels sprout has long been the butt of British food jokes with our - apparent - ability to massacre the poor things by cooking them for thirty minutes. That is a little bit of an urban myth but I am sure we have all, at some time, eaten them that way - school dinners sadly comes to mind.

Just why there is such a divide between lovers and haters, I don't know because personally I love them. When small, my youngest brother refused to eat sprouts, even the delicious ones my Dad grew on his allotment. My Mum was very clever she told him they were simply mini cabbages (he loved cabbage) and ever since he has been able to eat them. The only time I have found sprouts unpalatable was when I tried juicing them, a little advanced even for me and my eclectic taste buds.

Brussels Sprouts are so quick to prepare, just a quick wash, trim the bottom and any faded leaves followed by five minutes in boiling salted water and hey-presto, a healthy, nutritious and delicious vegetable. Chestnuts, bacon, apples and honey make great partners to the sweet, nutty taste of a sprout. Here are three simple recipes using all of them that will not only liven up a Christmas dinner but are lovely to serve at any time.

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Photo � thinkvegetables}

Bring on the Brussels originally appeared on About.com British & Irish Food on Monday, November 30th, 2009 at 05:16:34.

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It's the Weekend and Time for a Full Breakfast

Sun, 29 Nov 2009 05:29:16 +0000

A Full English

... or a Full Irish, Scottish or Welsh.

A busy working week leaves little time for a 'Fry Up' for breakfast, probably a good thing as it's not the healthiest breakfast to be eating every day. But the weekend is different. A Full Breakfast on a Sunday morning is a treat.

Breakfast may begin with orange juice, cereals or porridge, stewed or fresh fruits but the heart of the Full breakfast is bacon and eggs. They are variously accompanied by sausages, grilled tomato, mushrooms, tea, toast and marmalade. Each country in Great Britain and Ireland have their own variations but whichever you choose, enjoy. Have a great weekend.

Breakfast Recipes

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It's the Weekend and Time for a Full Breakfast originally appeared on About.com British & Irish Food on Sunday, November 29th, 2009 at 05:29:16.

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Hate to Remind You, but ...

Fri, 27 Nov 2009 05:46:29 +0000

Roast Christmas Goose

4 weeks today it will be Christmas Day. No need to panic just yet but I did get a slight flutter of anxiety when I realised because I haven't ordered my bird yet, in fact I haven't yet decided what we are having.

Last year we had my lovely Ethical Turkey, so maybe this year it will be goose. Christmas isn't Christmas without Turkey you may say. Really? Well the traditional British food at Christmas used to be a roast goose - think of Dickens' Christmas Carol and the Cratchits off to get their goose from the baker's oven.

The choice of goose as the traditional bird of choice took a serious decline in the 1960's where it was considered a little common and turkey more exotic. How things have changed. Pound for pound the turkey is more economical. A 15lb turkey will serve 15 people, whereas a 15lb goose will only feed 7 to 10. The meat on a goose is richer and darker than turkey. It has a higher fat content but most of it melts away during cooking and the fat collected makes the best roast potatoes ever. Now there's food for thought, I think it may be goose. I'll let you know.

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Photo � StockXpert}

Hate to Remind You, but ... originally appeared on About.com British & Irish Food on Friday, November 27th, 2009 at 05:46:29.

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British Food 'Oscars' - BBC Food and Farming Awards

Fri, 27 Nov 2009 04:56:29 +0000

HRH Prince Charles

2009 has been an increasingly difficult year in British food for both farmers and food producers. But all of that was put to one side for the 'Oscars' of the British food and farming world, The BBC Food and Farming Awards. The awards are promoted through the Food Programme on BBC Radio 4 presented by Sheila Dillon and this year HRH Prince Charles was the guest of honour and also presented the 9 awards.

The BBC Food and Farming Awards are held in high esteem through the food as nominees come from listeners to the food programme and all are judged by an eminent line up of judges including Raymond Blanc, Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall, Rose Prince and Mark Hix.

I was especially delighted that Food Personality of the Year went to Nigel Slater; he is one of our best food writers and his passion and enthusiasm for food and cooking is exemplary. I am in the middle of reading his latest book and my review will be posted shortly (it's good).

See who the other winners are ...

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Photo � BBC}

British Food 'Oscars' - BBC Food and Farming Awards originally appeared on About.com British & Irish Food on Friday, November 27th, 2009 at 04:56:29.

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Happy Thanksgiving to all Celebrating Today

Thu, 26 Nov 2009 15:32:51 +0000

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone celebrating today. It's a same-old day here in the UK but with so many friends and colleagues in the States it's hard not to think about them all gathering family and friends around them today. Hope the turkey's good and the pumpkin pie all it is meant to be.

Thanksgiving in the UK

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Happy Thanksgiving to all Celebrating Today originally appeared on About.com British & Irish Food on Thursday, November 26th, 2009 at 15:32:51.

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Marmite Shop - A Change of Opinion

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 08:43:40 +0000

Last week I had something to say about my favourite snack food - Marmite. In particular I was a little iffy about the newly opened Marmite shop on London's Regent Street. My fellow guide Laura Porter had, had similar thoughts but after a second visit, she has changed her mind. I thought it only fair I shared that information with you, so here it is.

Laura's Second Visit

Do you have any comments on the Marmite Shop or on Marmite, or on anything to do with British Food, please feel free to share them?

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Photo � RFB Photography}

Marmite Shop - A Change of Opinion originally appeared on About.com British & Irish Food on Wednesday, November 25th, 2009 at 08:43:40.

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No Thanksgiving Here but it is National Curry Week

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 08:18:16 +0000

We may not be celebrating Thanksgiving here in the UK - unless you are an American far from home - but we are celebrating National Curry Week. The week long promotion of curry started in 1998 to raise awareness of the cuisine and to raise funds for charities concentrating on hunger and malnourishment. Across the length and breadth of the country curry houses, restaurants, caterers and pubs will be staging special events, menus and dinners.

If you want to know what's happening near you details of events can be found here.

If you prefer to cook curry at home here's my collection of curry recipes from around the world.

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Photo � StockXpert}

No Thanksgiving Here but it is National Curry Week originally appeared on About.com British & Irish Food on Wednesday, November 25th, 2009 at 08:18:16.

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Meat Free Monday - Thyme, Onion and Gruyere Tart

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 09:52:21 +0000

This week's Meat Free Monday Recipe

Thyme, Onion and Gruyere Tart

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Photo � Quadrille Books}

Meat Free Monday - Thyme, Onion and Gruyere Tart originally appeared on About.com British & Irish Food on Monday, November 23rd, 2009 at 09:52:21.

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Don't Forget - It's Stir Up Sunday Today

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 04:26:45 +0000

Get the mixing bowl out, it's Stir Up Sunday Today. Out with the mixing bowls, dried fruits and Brandy and make a great British Christmas Pudding.

Stir Up Sunday is traditionally the day the pudding is made, about five weeks before Christmas. The delicious aromas which float through house as it steams on the stove are the start of the festivities. The customs surrounding making pudding brings the whole family together as each takes a turn to stir the mixture and make a wish and add coins; the finding of them on Christmas day purportedly bringing wealth, health, happiness, and ensuring everyone at least eats some to find one! Enjoy.

British Christmas Pudding Recipe

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Photo � RFB Photography}

Don't Forget - It's Stir Up Sunday Today originally appeared on About.com British & Irish Food on Sunday, November 22nd, 2009 at 04:26:45.

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Something for the Weekend - Slow Braised Spicy Pork

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 06:52:09 +0000

Not too much time this weekend means I have to make use of the oven and long slow-cooking. One of my favourite recipes that I can assemble quickly and then leave in the oven to cook itself is Spiced Braised Pork. The recipe is based on one by Bill Granger in his book Feed Me Now.

I have adjusted the recipe to my taste and availability of ingredients in the UK (Bill is Australian). Also, as the pork produces lots of juices I didn't want to waste so created a sauce which for me enhances Bill's recipe.

My other love of this braised pork recipe is its versatility. The cooked pork is delicious served with vegetables, the cold pork is lovely pulled from the bone and made into a salad, or a cold, spicy pork sandwich, so that's Monday and Tuesday lunches taken care of as well.

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Photo � Getty Images}

Something for the Weekend - Slow Braised Spicy Pork originally appeared on About.com British & Irish Food on Saturday, November 21st, 2009 at 06:52:09.

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