as a Brit living in Spain i get lots of stick about Brit cuisine. How can i prove them wrong?

Question

tales of fish n chips, battered sausages/mars bars, steak and kidney pie, eel pie n peas, toad in the hole, cottage pie, the Balti etc always fail to impress.with what other British culinary delights can i wow our sceptical Iberian neighbours?

Answer 1

The cuisine of the British Isles has had a bad rap for a long time. Its unfair.

True, the cooking is bland compared to many places and Brits have never been fond of rich sauces or fancy presentations. Of course, the reason is that they have traditionally been richer and better feed than their neighbors. When the meat is rotting or sparse then a lot of spice covers up the stench and plenty of sauce makes a little go a long way.

Further, exhausting climates like India require spicy food to perk up appetites deadened by heat and humidity. The generally brisk climate of Britain provokes a good appetite as does the British dedication to hard work.

The best of British cuisine is simple and straightforward. It depends on the excellence of its ingredients. English cheese is as good as any in the world. Scottish salmon is unsurpassed anywhere as is Dover sole. British beef may be second to Kobe but then it is not too dear for normal folk to afford.

Mere description is not going to convince your Iberian neighbors. Only actually cooking a proper British meal with proper British ingredients will do.

Failing that, serve them a fine aged Stilton with some walnuts and apples and a good port (which despite its origins ought to count as British) by a crackling fire on a chilly evening. That, in my estimation, is one of the finest experiences you can have with your clothes on.

Answer 2

My sons first partner was brit... Her Mum has one of the best restaurants I've ever eaten in (in Kent), ... However the daughter was addicted to marmite sandwiches... (Yuck!!)... I remember I once made her a cheese fondue, with all the trimmings... she "poured" the cheese over the broccolli! (Lord, how I miss that girl!) Just an anecdote ...Sorry to have gotten sidetracked....

Lots of brits are wonderful cooks...Just show your friends in Spain that you belong to the gourmet british group!
Cook to your hearts content.
Do some of the local dishes...if they turn out well, you've got it made! A good paella, or un arroz ***** (I've got the recipe for that if you want it), migas, zarzuela de marisco, or a cocido madrileño!

(And there is nothing wrong with a good steak and kidney pie if it is well flavoured and the crust is nice and flaky... ( I'd accept your invitation to that any day :-D )
Or a good sunday roast, tender and juicy, with all the veggies cooked to perfection!).

One thing my spanish friends and I have often commented...How can a country that is an island, surrounded on all four sides by water have so few good fish dishes and its people eat so little fish (and that's counting fisn n' chips)?
A survey has shown that Europes largest consumer of fish is Spain, followed by, of all places...Switzerland!

Answer 3

Tell them: Yes, you are absolutely right, the ancient Brits were lousy cooks, but here, try some of this...Then serve them some Indian curry or Indian Halal, or Thai cuisine and see how they like that, then tell them that, what is it?, half of Britons now eat THAT kind of food.

If that doesn't work, take them to a McDonalds and have them try a soggy burger with soggy fries, and tell them: At least we Brits don't cook like THIS.

If that still doesn't work, then say: Yes, our food is lousy, but we British are so much more charming than you Spanish people (Uh, oh, that may not work, the Brits are as charming as their food).

Hey, just live with the reality of your food. It's the pits, really. Maybe you need to turn failure into success, tell them, yes, our food is lousy and we love it! It's the best! Then enjoy the Spanish weather. Pretty soon, there won't be a Britain as it'll be under water or frozen solid, and then you can say, Now I'm a Spaniard, and the Brits are no more...Don't speak ill of the dead.

Answer 4

Migh - I visited your country for he first time in '85, coming from the colonies - Zimbabwe, and my was I shocked! Your best food was in the villages and in the colonies. London needs a food police like they have in Saudi Arabia - those fellows that plonk you on the noggin for doing naugthy things in public.
Spanish palates are salivated by savory smells and pungent tastes. So for you mate the trick is to give them the goods on a platter - don't talk about rabbit stew when you don't have it with you. Good old steak and kidney pie will give Spanish fly a run for its money - it'll drive Juan, Pedro and even Maria into a tizzy of uncontrolled passion! And with a wholesome full flavor inch thick crust to sop up the gamey sauce... say no more, wink, wink, nudge, nudge... mums the word...
Breakfast is a Spanish weakness - do the whole heart clogging fry-up - kippers or smoked haddock, crispy bangers, black pudding, tomotoes (fried), baked beans and of course buttered toast... gee what am I saying - include thick slab bacon. And be generous with the tea gov - have lots of sugar available.
Tell you what - give me a few hours and we can do it together - for God, Queen and Country!! We can sink the armada - by jove I'm hungry.

Answer 5

Face it, the best restaurants in London come from the ethnic cuisines that were once part of the Empire, brought home and adapted.

Now that, I'm happy to report, is a great culinary tale that needs to be told to your Latino friends.

If they balk that a spicy Indian curry or a jerked Jamaican chicken are not "British", remind them that Spanish cuisine is nothing more than a vestige of the Moorish occupation of their fair land!

Answer 6

I have not have been given any desire to stay in Spain. i'm residing in Switzerland on the 2nd, and it rather is attractive right here....even while it snows. In England there is a few thing attractive approximately curling up in front of a fire interior the wintry climate. I prefer to have 4 thoroughly distinctive seasons, and could hate it to be warm for all time. truthfully you may get bored with the consistent sunlight and warmth in Spain?

Answer 7

Im at a loss, the food in Britan was terrible. The best thing i had when i was there was a bacon sandwich from a vending machine. however, i did not have any fish and chips which i know is good!

Answer 8

Pray on the curiosity and serve "Bubble and Squeak". Seriously their cuisine is hard to beat, it's all that virgin olive oil and their fearless use of spices washed down by a mellow rioja. Good luck!

Answer 9

LOL, well, look at the competition has to offer, the spices, the colors, the presentation, the variety of food, the culture of food like tapas. I'm sorry, bro, but you are shiit outta luck.

Answer 10

It is doubful anything you can say or do, even prepare, that will counteract the centuries of stereotyping against your nation's reputation for lacking in the culinary arts.

The best you can hope for is for them to see you liking their foods and participating in food-related activities. They will see you as being the exception to their rule.