Since working with the United States in World War II, we Brits have endured multiple cultural stereotypes. Our pound-over-pound cousins love to scoff at our food, which until recently wasn’t the best. However, anyone visiting England today will be pleasantly surprised by its food. We’ve hand-picked a list of 15 British dishes that will make even the most scathing British food critic swoon.
1. Eton Mess
Brits have a secret weapon in the food wars: desserts. Some might say the UK has the biggest sweet tooth in Europe (no doubt where Americans get their god-level sugar tolerance from), and Eton Mess sums this up perfectly . It is made by crushing vanilla meringue into small pieces and mixing it with strawberries (or raspberries if you prefer) and fresh cream. This dessert is popular at village festivals, cricket lunches, and long summer days.
2. Fisherman’s Pie
A good fisherman’s pie (or fish pie for short) is seafood to what shepherd’s pie is to minced lamb. Shrimp, whitefish fillets and egg slices in a fragrant buttercream sauce topped with more comforting mashed potatoes and cheese before being baked in a hot oven. The result is British Home Cooking 101, which is on most pub menus. The closer it is to the sea, the tastier it is.
3. Full English breakfast
I’m a big fan of a great American breakfast. Okay, I’ll admit I like it. But an English breakfast can rival an American breakfast if done right. Our bacon is similar to Canadian bacon, but can be fried or grilled and served with fried eggs, tomatoes, fried mushrooms, fried black he pudding, and more. Unfortunately, we don’t offer delicious pancakes or biscuits and gravy, but who says you can’t try transatlantic fusion cuisine?
4. Roast beef and Yorkshire pudding
The name Pudding is misleading. Yorkshire pudding is not a sweet, but flavorful pancake roasted in beef tallow. Additionally, roast beef requires roast potatoes, as well as a rich and rich gravy made from beef juices. I once read a story about someone’s college housemate who baked a giant Yorkshire pudding and used it as the “bread” for a sandwich. We take British Yorkshire pudding seriously.
5. Beef Wellington
Anyone who watches foodie shows will have seen Beef Wellington, named after Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington, victor of the Napoleonic Wars and later Prime Minister. Made with quality ingredients such as filet mignon and pastry wrapped in mushroom duxelles, Beef Wellington is a fitting tribute to one of Britain’s greatest heroes, who graces Michelin-starred menus around the world.
6. Cream tea
This dish additionally requires freshly brewed tea, hence the strange name. However, the majority of cream teas are dry ingredients such as butter scones, clotted cream, and raspberry jam. Note: Although biscuits are called scones, clotted cream is a very thick baked cream. This southwestern dish is a source of controversy among the inhabitants of Cornwall and Devon, who claim that it is cream first and jam second. Cornish cream tea is served in reverse. Jam is placed under the cream.
7. Pie
If you go to a pub in the English countryside, pastry dishes are a common choice. The variations are endless, but nothing beats steak pie. The steak is mixed with a rich gravy, wrapped in shortcrust pastry and baked to a golden brown. The best way to enjoy this British tradition is to spend a cold evening sitting by the fire in an old pub and drinking a local ale.
8. Bubbles and squeaks
This strange-sounding dish is made from leftover vegetables from a Sunday roast, mixed with eggs and flour and fried into patties. This side dish is most commonly found on the Greasy Spoon Cafe’s breakfast menu. But for dinner, I like to have a thick slice of charred ham and a poached egg with cheese béchamel on top.
9. Fish and chips
I’ve never understood how Americans make fun of British food, but fish and chips are on most taproom and bar menus across the country. Either way, the pinnacle of this British dish is freshly caught cod, haddock or flounder, fried in a crispy batter and served with crisps (not fries). The secret is the frying oil. The beef fat in the potato chips elevates this dish to an elite level.
10. Bacon sandwich
No matter where you travel, you’d be surprised how few countries offer bacon sandwiches, even though they require careful execution. Without seasonings to add moisture, you run the risk of it becoming too dry. Balance your sandwich with tamarind-based sweet and sour British brown sauce or ketchup and see the results. Bacon sandwiches go well with strong English tea.
11. Lancashire Pot
Originating in Lancashire, north of Manchester, this satisfying, rustic meal is a winter farmer’s dream. The lamb neck is browned and simmered in a rich broth for several hours. Then a layer of potato discs forms a protective roof over the meat below. Then bake in a hot oven until brown. The only problem with delicious hot pot is how sleepy you will feel after it.
12. Jam Rory Pauly
Yes, it sounds like a character from a weird children’s book, but this recipe is really delicious. Roly-poly labels are made from suet fabric wrapped with a generous amount of raspberry or strawberry jam spread. The result is a decadent and tender dessert that must be served with warm vanilla he custard until the end. I usually maintain that puddings are best shared, but I’m not a fan of sharing roly-poly jam.
13. Bread and Butter Pudding
The United States knows this recipe well, but it must be remembered that, like any American sport, it was born in England. For the best results in delicious bread pudding, you need elite-level custard and high-quality butter. Additionally, while the cold vanilla ice cream adds a nice contrast to the comforting warmth of this dessert, we recommend not operating any heavy machinery after eating it.
14. British curry
The world knows our love affair with chicken tikka masala, but many uniquely British curry dishes were born after the 1950s, when immigrants from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh arrived. My favorite curry is chicken dhansak. A sweet and spicy lentil-based curry with pineapple, served with Peshwari naan and pilau rice.
15. Victoria sponge cake
We love naming foods after regents and war heroes, don’t we? What celebrates Britain’s second most famous queen (after the much-sought-after Queen Elizabeth II) than a vanilla sponge sandwich filled with raspberry coulis and rich vanilla cream? We love Victoria Her Sponge at summer picnics, evening her teas, and local town hall gatherings.
