June 2, 1953. Coronation Day for Queen Elizabeth II. It was a day of street parties, of people crowding around a neighbour’s television if they were lucky enough to find one, hoping to catch a glimpse of the new monarch.…
Shortbread
A perfect combination of butter flavour and crumbly texture, shortbread is a traditional Scottish biscuit that is easy to make and adapt. And although its origins may not necessarily be solely north of the border, Scotland has made it truly…
Welsh Rarebit – Not Just Cheese on Toast
Many think it is mere cheese on toast, but Welsh Rarebit is so much more. Now commonly known as Rarebit, the dish was once known as Welsh Rabbit, and indeed some folks still call it that. But although the dish…
Fruit Cake
Few British foods have been as widely maligned as the humble fruit cake. And very unfairly so. Frequently the punchline in jokes, fruit cake is assumed to be heavy, dry, and lacking in any redeeming qualities. Sadly, some cakes, both…
Time for Tea: Victoria Sponge
A Victoria Sponge (or Victoria Sandwich) is that most quintessential of all British afternoon tea cakes. It is hard to picture an afternoon tea without dainty sandwiches, scones, and a freshly-made Victoria Sandwich, two layers of delicate sponge with jam…
British Sandwich Week, 2017
It’s time to celebrate one of the great British culinary inventions. Who knew that several hundred years ago, a quick decision to put some meat between two pieces of bread would forever change lunchtime, teatime, and… picnics. Where would the…
When in Grasmere, Eat Gingerbread!
In a recent National Park Spotlight, British Food and Travel explored the beauty of the Lake District. Since we followed up our exploration of the Peak District with a recipe for Bakewell Pudding, when in the lakes, it’s time for…
Bakewell Tart. Or is it Bakewell Pudding?
In the recent post about the Peak District National Park, one suggested local refreshment was the famed Bakewell Tart. Or is it a Bakewell Pudding? Like so many traditional recipes, there are disagreements about the origin of the dish, the…
Samuel Pepys and the Stone Feasts
This is one of those historical English oddities that is just begging to be shared. Life is filled with random celebrations, but for Samuel Pepys, one annual meal was held for a reason that most of us might find a…
Pancake Day
In some parts of the world, it is Mardi Gras or Fat Tuesday. But here in the UK, it’s Shrove Tuesday or Pancake Day. So get out the frying pan and flip (or if you’re feeling adventurous – toss) those…