British Foods, I Long for Thee

By Nora

Jessica over at Style Lush wrote about still being hung up on her recent trip to London, which got me thinking about all the things I miss the most about the U.K. since I last lived there back in 1998. Not surprisingly, I am very nostalgic about the food I ate. In fact, some of the best meals of my life were consumed in London, and I am of the very strong opinion that the reputation that England has of being a country of questionable cuisine is completely unfounded. They do have some strange foods, i'll give you that, but not any weirder than any other place, really.  Here are some of the food stuffs I miss the most.

 

{photo courtesy www.melandrose.com}

First, Tomato Ketchup Walkers Crisps. I know. These do not sound particularly appetizing. But really, there was something so comforting about the flavor of these bad boys, especially with a Bass ale at room temperature. Even just looking at the photo reminds me of the many evenings I spent camped out in the corner of our dimly lit local pub with my friends, surrounded by empty pint glasses.

 

{photo courtesy www.carnation.co.uk}

If you love bananas and haven't tasted Banofee Pie, you haven't lived. It's a traditional English dessert, and very simple in it's perfection: Graham cracker crust, bananas and caramel, and whipped cream. I used to go to this small cafe on a river in Maida Vale that served the most amazing banofee pie in the universe. I can't for the life of me remember the name of that cafe, but I can still taste the sweet creamy caramel and banana combination. Sublime.

{Photo courtesy of eatbreakfastout.wordpress.com}

The full English Breakfast. Nothing, I repeat NOTHING cures a hangover like the combination of the foods seen above. No American in their right mind would consider beans for breakfast, but it works, people. And also, did you know that bacon cooked like it's typically cooked in the U.S. is called "crispy bacon" over there? Otherwise, if you order bacon, you get the kind in the photo, which is actually more like what we recognize as Canadian bacon. Are you thoroughly confused now? Anyway, I think if I could find a proper English breakfast in my neck of the woods I could die a happy woman.

And lastly, the infamous Cadbury Dairy Milk bar. Look, I know you can get these in the States in most major grocery stores, but it's just not the same for me. In London, there are Cadbury vending machines in almost every Tube station (at least there were the last time I was there), and I used to love to buy one every so often to eat on my way home from work.

I suppose the memories of the experiences I had while eating these foods are what makes them so delicious in my mind!

Are there any British foods that you have a fondness for? Please share!

Comments

[Carla]

Not sure where in the States you are, but we have ketchup chips in Canada, too. :)

[Jessica]

It's not a food, but I am dealing with a serious need for Aspall Cider. It is, hands down, the best cider I have had in my life. NOTHING I can get (so far) here comes close.

[Jaida]

I second the cider...you can get Strongbow here but it's ridiculously expensive. I am lucky enough to find all my favorites food-wise at my supermarket: Branston baked beans, Galaxy chocolate, Walkers salt n vinegar and, at Christmas, Mr. Kipling's mince pies. Mmmmmm :)

You may already know this, but there are numerous online retailers that import a lot of this stuff. Also, Cost Plus World Market has a good selection.

[Darcey]

Don't know if its different in London, but banoffee pie has toffee/dulce de leche not caramel... hence the name "banoffee" = banana + toffee

[Denise]

Pickle and cheese sandwich. Branston pickle how i love thee...I can get the pickle, but not the bread or cheese. Everything i have ever had to eat in England has been delish. Their food is fresher and tastier.

[Mary j]

Crunchy Bars, I was just in the Bahamas and stocked up!

[Valerie]

One thing Texas has going for it...migas. That is my solution to beans for breakfast...yum! Also a good hangover cure.

[Laura]

Oh, my, this post really has made me nostalgic. My mum is British and I've spent loads of time over the years so it feels like my second home. My # 1 craving that I miss that you simply can't get over here is the packaged sandwiches from Marks & Spencer, which I would buy and then go eat them in the sunshine in Kensington Park. I also miss a real English tea with clotted cream on the scones. It's best that this particular indulgence is limited to my trips across the pond though, or my waistline would be in trouble.

[Tanya]

Lilt soda...and Curly Wurly bars.

[Ali]

Candy bars - Lion bars and Time Out bars...so good!

[Corina]

Mmmm, American Cadbury is a totally different formula than British Cadbury. I stock up on the imported type every time I hit Cost Plus. Along with choc covered Hob Nobs. YUM! Also, Lyle's Golden Syrup. The Brits really have the most marvelous way with sweets.

[ariel]

We make it a point to do the full English breakfast around here every month or so. There's just something to be said about starting a day off work so full and content =)

[Katie]

Milk chocolate Hob Nobs. OMG those things are awesome.

[jennielynn]

Curly Wurly bars, definitely. I love those things.