Short List of The Most Legendary British Food Dishes
A full English breakfast is an acclaimed cooked breakfast that requires an ample appetite. This classic meal includes eggs made to your preference, bacon, sausage, baked beans and toast for breakfast.
The Ploughman’s Lunch is a popular pub option throughout Great Britain. This delicious spread features cold meats and cheeses. Spotted dick is another tasty option; this dessert combines liver with onions into a steam pudding form.
Scotch Egg
The scotch egg is an iconic British classic that stands the test of time. Comprised of a hard-boiled egg wrapped with sausage and coated in breadcrumbs, its delicious and filling nature make it a satisfying meal. Though ready-to-eat versions can be found at supermarkets, for optimal results consider making your own from scratch at home.
This delicious snack is a beloved classic in pubs and picnics alike, often served with tangy mustard sauce for extra zing. Add it to salads or sandwiches for a filling and satisfying meal!
Ensure your scotch eggs are ready for baking in plenty of time by boiling a pan of water with eggs in it and boiling for 7 minutes before moving the eggs to an iced water bowl for cooling, in order to stop over-cooking and creating mush. After cooling, peel and cut in half lengthwise; use flour before coating as this will help ensure everything sticks. When complete, bake or fry until crisp and golden!
Shepherd’s Pie
Shepherd’s pie is an easy comfort food recipe with ground meat, veggies, gravy and mashed potatoes – a simple delight perfect for leftovers! While this particular version uses ground beef as the protein source, lamb or turkey may also work just as well.
Crockpot meals can be an easy and economical way to utilize leftover veggies and meat from your fridge, saving time and money as well as reducing food waste while creating delicious meals you can feel good about eating!
Delicious vegetables and hearty meat come together with fluffy, creamy mashed potatoes for a delectable dish that’s the perfect way to end any day. Plus, this easy recipe can even be prepared ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator until baking time arrives!
For an especially delicious and healthful version of this dish, switch out the traditional mashed potato topping for cauliflower mash instead. It is low-carb, high in fiber, and full of flavor! Plus you can even opt for dairy-free options in place of regular sour cream if needed for vegan dining options – making this dinner sure to please every member of your family.
Cottage Pie
British cuisine often gets an unfavorable rep, but they do know how to create hearty meals that will warm you from within. Cottage pie is one such dish; this hearty treat combines mashed potatoes and meat for an indulgent feast that won’t disappoint!
This dish can easily be tailored to meet the specific needs of your family. Use any type of meat (traditionally made with beef), and incorporate vegetables such as carrots, celery or peas for additional flavor and micronutrients.
Thicken the sauce by swapping out flour with cornstarch slurry; gluten-free folks may want to switch the meat stock for vegetable broth for optimal results. Once your sauce has thickened, top it with your mashed potatoes and bake until its surface turns golden-brown and bubbly; enjoy!
Steak and Kidney Pie
Steak and kidney pie has long been considered comfort food, helping the nation through both wars and recessions. A great steak and kidney pie contains tender beef chuck, kidneys, vegetables, stock, and just a hint of stout for flavor, all wrapped up in flaky suet-based (beef fat) pastry for maximum enjoyment.
Isabella Beeton popularized this dish, including it in her 1861 Book of Household Management, but its existence pre-dates this publication – especially among home cooks with less sophisticated kitchens. Peas are often served alongside this meal but you may substitute any vegetable.
Calves’ kidneys are preferred due to their flavor and texture; however, veal kidneys work just as well. After washing and prepping both organ meats properly (removing sinewy cores etc), dice into fork-friendly chunks for easier eating and for increased flavor amalgamation. Chestnut mushrooms can also be added, and baked for the final time under latticed pastry lid until golden – this dish is then ready for consumption!
Yorkshire Pudding
Yorkshire pudding is an iconic side dish that pairs perfectly with just about any main course. Constructed of egg, milk and flour, it features crispy edges with a tender center, as well as its trademark hole for scooping up gravy! A Yorkshire pudding makes the perfect complement to almost any main meal and should definitely be part of your holiday menu.
Yorkshire puddings are low in sugar and packed with fibre, making them part of a balanced diet. Furthermore, their protein-rich composition provides muscle strengthening benefits while their vitamin C content promotes strong immunity.
To create the best Yorkshire puddings, it is necessary to preheat the oven and use plenty of butter. Pouring batter quickly into tins so as not to cool off quickly is also crucial, while refraining from opening the oven door while they bake as this could prevent proper rising. A toothpick is the best way to check when they are finished baking.
A food writer and culinary researcher, Tom specialises in traditional British cuisine, with a particular focus on the history and evolution of fish and chips.