How to Cook English Food

English food is characteristically simple. While other influences like Indian curry have entered into British culture and themselves become British favorites, traditional British fare is usually heavy, less seasoned and made from locally available items. Because most of the dishes have simple preparation methods there is usually no need for exotic seasonings or arcane kitchen equipment.

Things You'll Need:

• Fresh dairy products


• Fresh meat and fish


• Fresh produce


• Appropriate accompanying beverages
  
  
  


• Research the food. Attempting any kind of ethnic cuisine requires a familiarity with the ingredients and cooking methods. Fortunately, in most English dishes the ingredients and cooking methods are already known to most people in the western world. The dishes themselves and the recipes used to create them may be less so, and so research should be done to find out what exactly a “spotted dick” is and how to make clotted cream.


• Travel to England. The best way to learn about a ethnic food culture is to travel to the country from which the food originates. The food should be eaten in its native country in order to gain a true understanding of how it should taste. It is important to note that not all restaurants in foreign countries, including England, will serve authentic dishes even if they are given the names of the authentic dishes. Some attempt to cater to the tastes of tourists by altering the integrity of the native recipe. The key to finding food authenticity is to discover restaurants where the locals eat. In the case of English food, finding the right pubs, inns and cream tea establishments is key.


• Eat a wide variety of English dishes. Experience and savor widely. Have a broad understanding of the underlying theme and taste that governs English food, from blood sausage to steak and kidney pie. If you cannot enjoy a food it will be very difficult to make it properly.


• Learn the British terms for different ingredients. Bubble and squeak refers to a meal of leftovers, for instance, stargazy pie is made of baked fish and pastry. English recipes are often given arcane names and require a certain amount of deciphering.