When we think of British food, we often picture hearty meals passed down through generations, simple, comforting, and perfect for cold weather.
Traditional British dishes are cooked with simple ingredients. There is something very comforting about British food. Maybe it’s because it was made for cold weather, so you need meals that really warm you up. But there are also some classic British dishes that you will love eating.
Do you want to have a real taste of British cuisine, or are you just exploring new recipes? Let’s delve into the articles to find out some easy home meals that you can try in your own kitchen.
The Real Story Of British Cooking
British food often gets a bad name for not being very good. But you can not judge it through dishes like beans on toast and jellied beels.
Back in medieval times, British people were famous for their:
- Roast meats
- Breads
- Pies
- Stews
You will be surprised, but the French even called them Le Roast Beef.
But things changed during the Second World War. Food was rationed, and American soldiers spread the idea that British food was not very tasty. We can not really blame them. People used things like whipped margarine instead of cream, or strange meals like bean and egg pies. Sometimes, they even ate horse or whale meat.
These days, no one in Britain is living on margarine and beans, but the old reputation is still around.
British Recipes That Are a Must To Try Out
Some people might say that British food is like British weather, dull, boring, and a bit grey. But this is not the case in real life. British food has many delicious dishes that people enjoy every day.
Here is a list of popular everyday meals that are loved and eaten all across the UK.
- Seaweed Batter Fish & Chips
If you ask anyone to name a famous British dish, Fish & Chips will probably be the first thing they say. And it is easy to see why. Imagine soft, perfectly cooked fish covered in a light, crispy batter, served with golden fries and tasty traditional sides.
It is a traditional British meal that feels warm.
Here in seaweed batter, you can make some changes by mixing Aonori seaweed into the beer batter to give the fish a fresh, slightly salty taste of the sea. It will be a truly satisfying British seaside classic when you try it out.
- Anchovy Butter Roast Chicken
You might also have heard about a classic British spread called Gentleman’s Relish. It is used in a dish that is perfect for Sunday lunch: roast chicken. If you have not heard of it before, let us tell you, Gentleman’s Relish is a rich, tasty mix made mostly from:
- Anchovies
- Butter
- Herbs
- Spices
In the anchovy butter roast chicken, anchovy butter is used to give the chicken a deep, savoury flavour. To make it even better, you can serve the roast chicken with gravy that has a hint of bacon. It is full of delicious, comforting taste.
- Welsh Cawl
Does your family like soups or stews? Yes, they often taste bland and do not keep a person full for long. But this is clearly not a case with Welsh cawl. How? Let’s see.
It is the perfect meal for a cold winter day. It is made with:
- Swede
- Potatoes
- Carrots
- Leeks
- Stock
- Meat
It is very filling, which is probably why it is much better than a soup or stew. And the most amazing part it is healthy too! Imagine that you come home on a freezing winter evening and sit by the fire with a bowl of Welsh cawl. Perfection!
- Carrot Cake with Cardamom & Labneh Frosting
Bet? Walk into any good British coffee shop or tea room, and you will hardly find a carrot cake.
It is also a classic British treat that even makes you feel like you are eating something healthy because it has carrots in it!
You can also add a Middle Eastern touch to it by adding cardamom to the cake. A cardamon to cake? Yes, you heard it right, this gives it a warm, gentle spice. But here is what you have to do more: the labneh frosting. It will add a fresh, tasty twist, but it is also a bit healthier than regular frosting.
- Coffee & Walnut Cake with Tahini Buttercream
Coffee and Walnut Cake is also one of the famous British cakes of all time. It is like a light, soft sponge with sweet buttercream, and the coffee and walnuts make it feel more delicious.
While this cake still has that classic taste everyone loves, if you add a mascarpone and tahini buttercream, it will become richer with, nutty flavour.
- Marmite Roast Potatoes
Aren’t you a big fan of Marmite? It is undoubtedly a famous British spread that looks a bit strange, but have you tried it out with roast potatoes? Let us change your mind.
You know that right perfectly roasted potato is always a treat. And if you are afraid that the salty Marmite will take over the taste, you are not correct. It will even give the crispy potatoes a rich, savoury flavour that will be so tasty.
Conclusion
So, you read about UK comfort food?
British food has a long and interesting history, probably a bad one😅. But now you get it why, but still these traditional dishes are full of rich flavours and heartwarming comfort.
So, when you are going to make a classic fish and chips, a cosy Welsh cawl, or a sweet slice of carrot cake?
FAQs
Q1:What is the most traditional British dish?
Ans: England doesn’t have just one national dish. But we can find both fish and chips, and chicken tikka masala competing in this race.
Q2:What is a traditional British dessert?
Ans: Traditional British desserts include puddings, trifles, cakes, tarts, and pies
