English dishes refer to typical dishes belonging to England and they encapsulate the essence of various food traditions and cooking styles usually associated with British cuisine. The British cuisine of the modern day is influenced by cuisines of China, North America and India. English dishes of the modern day, such as curries, were introduced by multicultural population comprising various Chinese, Indians and North Americans living in Britain.
National English Dishes
- Roast Beef: It is a kind of beef dish, prepared by roasting beef in the oven. In England roast beef is usually served as a part of main meal. Roast beef is usually served with a traditional Yorkshire pudding.
- Yorkshire pudding: This pudding is usually served as a part of starter or main course. Yorkshire pudding is made by pouring a batter of eggs, flour and milk in muffin pans or preheated baking pans.
- Fish and Chips: It is a popular snack in England. This dish usually consists of deep batter fried chips accompanied with deep fried chips.
- Chicken Tikka Masala: This is a chicken curry dish consisting of deep roasted chicken chunks, which are served in a orange – red gravy. Chicken tikka masala was popularized in England by Indian and Pakistani immigrants.
Traditional Full English Breakfast
Full English breakfast is a very elaborate affair and it involves various meat dishes, salads, toasts, eggs, grilled vegetables, jams, and teas. This type of breakfast is now reserved for special days and weekends.
- Fried Bread: This dish is also known as fried slice, where the bread slice is usually fried in a bacon fat. Sometimes fried bread also refers to eggy bread or French toast.
- Potato Cakes: It refers to different types of potato preparations involving mashed potatoes. Sometimes it refers to cakes prepared using the potato flour.
- Bubble and Squeak: This is one of the popular English dishes , which is prepared from leftover vegetables of a roast dinner. Cabbage, potato, sprouts, carrots, and peas, are some of the regular ingredients found in bubble and squeak. The dish is also teamed with cold meat of Sunday roast. Bubble and Squeak may also involve meats.
- Oatcakes: This is a type of pancake prepared from oatmeal or oat flour. This is also prepared as a cracker.
Apart from the above, various dishes involving bacon, sausages, eggs, baked beans and mushrooms are also served.
Popular English Dishes
Sunday Roast: This is the name given to Sunday dinner, which was considerably a festive affair in comparison to dinners served on regular days.
- Yorkshire Pudding: This pudding is usually served as a part of starter or main course. Yorkshire pudding is made by pouring a batter of eggs, flour and milk in muffin pans or preheated baking pans.
- Toad-in-the Hole: Sausages fried after dipping into the batter.
- Roast Meats: Various kinds of meats like lamb, pork, and chicken or goose, turkey, gammon are roasted in oven for about an hour or two before serving. Roasted meats are usually served with English mustard, Horseradish sauce, gravy or Yorkshire pudding.
- Pease pudding: This pudding is prepared using grams, fresh herbs, onions, water, and salt-pepper. The mixtures of these ingredients are baked in the oven to make the pudding. The popularity of this pudding can be gauged from a nursery rhyme:
Pease pudding hot!
Pease pudding cold!
Pease pudding in the pot
Nine days old.
Afternoon Tea: The English are very particular about their teatime dishes. It is widely said that the English drop everything to enjoy their afternoon teas.
- Scones: Wedges of quick breads served with cream and jam.
- Fairy Cakes: A smaller version of cupcake , which may or may not have icing.
References: woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk
