1、British CuisineBritish CuisineAlthough Britain doesnt have the best of reputations for its food, the people of Britain do in fact enjoy an enormously varied diet. And, although, its cuisine might not be world-renowned, it would be a mistake to completely ignore its delights. My article attempts to g
2、ive you an insight into the British diet, way of eating, and includes a timeline for the typical Britons meals.General IntroductionBritish cuisine has traditionally been limited in its international recognition to the full breakfast, fish and chips, and the Christmas dinner. Other famous British dis
3、hes include the Sunday roast, steak and kidney pie, shepherds pie, and bangers and mash. British cuisine has many regional varieties within the broader categories of English, Scottish and Welsh cuisine. Each have developed their own regional or local dishes, many of which are geographically indicate
4、d foods such as Cornish pasties, the Yorkshire pudding, Arbroath Smokie, and Welsh cakes.British cuisine is the specific set of cooking traditions and practices associated with the United Kingdom. British cuisine has been described as “unfussy dishes made with quality local ingredients, matched with
5、 simple sauces to accentuate flavour, rather than disguise it.“ However, British cuisine has absorbed the cultural influence of those that have settled in Britain, producing hybrid dishes, such as the Anglo-Indian chicken tikka masala.The Norman conquest introduced exotic spices into England in the
6、Middle Ages. The British Empire facilitated a knowledge of Indias elaborate food tradition of “strong, penetrating spices and herbs“. Food rationing policies, put in place by the British government during wartime periods of the 20th century, are said to have been the stimulus for British cuisines po
7、or international reputation. Contrary to popular belief, people in southern England eat more garlic per head than the people of northern France.Traditional Britons Favorite FoodsBubble and Squeak. The name of this dish refers to the sound it makes while cooking. This recipe can be modified by substi
8、tuting the brussel sprouts with any left-over vegetables you might have in the kitchen (boiled cabbage, carrots, leeks, etc.). This dish is perfect with “HP” brown sauce another British culinary tradition! Cheese and Onion Pie. A tradition filled pastry pie. Some families, in the north of England, a
9、dd potatoes to this recipe. Serve with chips (french fries) and baked beans in tomato sauce. Haggis. Haggis is a purely Scottish dish, and is typically served on “Burns night”, 25th January, when Scotland celebrates the birth of its greatest poet, Robert Burns, who was born in Ayrshire on that date
10、in 1759. The haggis is quite simply a large boiling sausage stuffed with a variety of meat and oatmeal, flavoured with onion and seasoning.A Timeline for Britons MealsBreakfast. Traditionally many Britons have started the day with something called a “full English Breakfast”. This typically comprises
11、 of the following things: toasted bread, spread with butter, jam, marmalade or honey; followed by a “fry up” or cooked breakfast of fried bread, sausages, bacon, mushrooms, eggs and tomatoes. Served with hot tea, with milk added. However, with todays fast lifestyle and an increasing awareness of hea
12、lthy eating this traditional breakfast is not largely eaten only at the weekend, and has been replaced by another in most British households. A typical modern breakfast comprises: fruit juice, toast and jam, packet cereal (cornflakes or similar), and tea . Elevenses. In some households and workplace
13、s this is followed by something called “elevenses”. This consists of a cup of tea or coffee and some biscuits. Actually “elevenses” can be taken at anytime of the day, and with most Britons this is usually fairly often! Lunch. Lunch can be anytime between 12:30 and 2pm. Some people might have a sand
14、wich, while others will have a full-cooked meal. In schools this meal is referred to as “dinner”.Teatime. Tea has been an important drink in Great Britain for hundreds of years, and is drunk throughout the day in most British households. The typical “Teatime” is served at any time between four and f
15、ive oclock and for the majority of the population is a cup of tea, a sandwich or two and some cake. Some families, notably from the working classes, have their main evening meal at this time.Dinner. Dinner is the usual name for the main evening meal. It can be served anytime between 6pm and 8pm and
16、for most families is the biggest meal of the day.Supper. Supper is the final meal of the day, and is usually something very light like a sandwich and a cup of tea. Nowadays this meal is usually eaten in front of the television! Before going to bed many Britons drink a drink made from hot milk. Usual
17、ly either plain boiled milk, chocolate, or “Horlicks”,“Ovaltine” (two brand-name drinks made from Barley and Malt).Sunday LunchFamilys Happy TimeSunday lunch was popular in the 1960s, today most British families still spend Sundays in exactly the same manner with their parents and grandparents.On Su
18、ndays people dont usually have to work so they take the opportunity to eat together with their family. A typical Sunday lunch might be eaten between 1pm and 2pm and include roast beef and Yorkshire pudding, roast potatoes, boiled vegetables, and gravy (meat sauce). However, many families now eat les
19、s beef, so other roast meat is often eaten lamb, pork, chicken, turkey or duck. Some families will also follow the main meal with a dessert such as “apple pie and custard”Excerpts from the Works of C .S .LewisYou can find many of the typical ingredients of a British diet in these classics:“She had a
20、 vague impression of dwarfs crowding around the fire with frying pans rather bigger than themselves, and the hissing and delicious smell of sausages, and more and more sausages. And not wretched sausages half full of bread and soya bean either, but real meaty, spicy ones, fat and piping hot and burs
21、t and just the tiniest bit burnt .And great mugs of frothy chocolate, and roast potatoes and roast chestnuts, and baked apples with raisins stuck in where the cores had been, and then ices just to freshen you up after all the hot things” THE SILVER CHAIR“Mrs. Beaver brought out of the oven a great and gloriously sticky marmalade roll, steaming hot, and at the same time moved the kettle onto the fire, so that when they had finished the marmalade roll the tea was made and ready to be poured out.” THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE.
