The Art of Food and Drink
One often hears that "English food is terrible." I don't know what propaganda department still puts that about. I an assuming that this attitude about bad British victuals is a leftover from old WWII movies and the reports of veterans returning from being stationed there. The Brits had formal food rationing from January of 1940 until July 4, 1954! The American rationing ended in 1946, had only lasted 4 years and was never as severe as the British rationing. Of course, some of that belief could be from the lingering affection Brits have for the wartime ersatz food, like Spam and Bovril. Though, we should talk -- people here are still eating Velveeta and margerine -- and liking it!
In any event, the food we had in England was great. Fresh, delicious, well prepared and beautifully presented.
Our B&B in Stratford-upon-Avon, the Adelphi, had gourment breakfasts, prepared by Ellen and Martin:
The Adelphi
Every thing on the breakfast menu was lovely: fresh, produced locally and well-prepared. And there was a lot of variety -- not just the standard breakfast "fry up." Fish, mushroom on croissant with cheese, pancakes... lovely.
Ellen, Martin and Luis Bijan
However it came about, it is time for people to re-think their attitudes towards British foods. There are plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables to be found:
At the Market
Cauliflower and ... something green
And sure, you can get great sausage and mash, and chips with just about anything (chips!), but there is also delicious chicken and leek pie, wonderful soups, hamburgers that are simply amazing topped with local cheeses and accompanied by bright, flavourful ciders.
Luncheon in Cardiff
There is also an art in the simple pleasures of British cusine. The fish and chips we had at this chippie:
Our "chippie"
were an art in and of themselves: a large, complete, flat piece of haddock -- deep fried, crispy all the way through and chips that were appropriately greasy, yet light and crisp!
I think you'll have to excuse me now. I'm hungry!
