It's been a while since my last post. I've been too busy with school and life to keep tabs on my cooking. I did, however have some decadent culinary experiences while I was in England over spring break.
When most people talk about traveling to England, one of the things that inevitably comes out of their mouth is, "...And the food was just awful." Wrong. English food is not awful. The fact is that these poor shlubs have only ever experienced awful English food. There is something very hobbit-like and unpretentious about British cuisine: Comfort food without the frills.
This is the tale of one day's epic culinary adventures.
My boyfriend and friends and I had a late night, but we dragged ourselves out of bed before noon to go to Brighton while it was still sunny outside. Before hitting the road, we stopped off for some breakfast at The Comodor in downtown Horsham. We were not disappointed. For about £5 we each ordered a full English breakfast.
...And the snooty waitress delivered us each the perfect platter of greasy salty bliss. Savory sausage, salty bacon, eggs sunny-side up, roast tomato and mushrooms, and fresh crispy toast in a bed of baked beans. What could be better?
I know a lot of my American friends would respond, "That, without the baked beans." But seriously, there is nothing like a little sweetness to balance out all that salt. Think of it as a mild version of dipping sausage in maple syrup. Yum.
So, thoroughly satisfied, we drove to Brighton. As we moseyed around town one of out fellow travelers suggested we stop by Angel Food Bakery. Best. Cupcakes. Ever. Well, I only got to try three kinds, but they were epically delicious. I had the pleasure of trying a devils food cupcake with coffee frosting, a chocolate cupcake with orange chocolate frosting, and a banana cupcake. The banana cupcake was the best: Moist banana cake with about an inch of cream-cheese frosting on top, but everything I had was the epitome of what a cupcake should be.
When most people talk about traveling to England, one of the things that inevitably comes out of their mouth is, "...And the food was just awful." Wrong. English food is not awful. The fact is that these poor shlubs have only ever experienced awful English food. There is something very hobbit-like and unpretentious about British cuisine: Comfort food without the frills.
This is the tale of one day's epic culinary adventures.
My boyfriend and friends and I had a late night, but we dragged ourselves out of bed before noon to go to Brighton while it was still sunny outside. Before hitting the road, we stopped off for some breakfast at The Comodor in downtown Horsham. We were not disappointed. For about £5 we each ordered a full English breakfast.
...And the snooty waitress delivered us each the perfect platter of greasy salty bliss. Savory sausage, salty bacon, eggs sunny-side up, roast tomato and mushrooms, and fresh crispy toast in a bed of baked beans. What could be better?
I know a lot of my American friends would respond, "That, without the baked beans." But seriously, there is nothing like a little sweetness to balance out all that salt. Think of it as a mild version of dipping sausage in maple syrup. Yum.
So, thoroughly satisfied, we drove to Brighton. As we moseyed around town one of out fellow travelers suggested we stop by Angel Food Bakery. Best. Cupcakes. Ever. Well, I only got to try three kinds, but they were epically delicious. I had the pleasure of trying a devils food cupcake with coffee frosting, a chocolate cupcake with orange chocolate frosting, and a banana cupcake. The banana cupcake was the best: Moist banana cake with about an inch of cream-cheese frosting on top, but everything I had was the epitome of what a cupcake should be.
Don't those just look delicious?
Anyway after a day's shopping in The Lanes we decided it would be appropriate, given Brighton's seaside location, to finish the day off with some fish and chips. We stopped off at a tiny shop on King Street that touted its establishment of over 40 years. I ordered a cod and chips with an addition of a pickled egg, to cut through the grease.
I really didn't think I'd be able to get through it all, but there was an actual fish under all the breading, so I couldn't let it go to waste. We enjoyed our meal, and full and exhausted headed back to Horsham for a good night's sleep.
Who are these people mouthing off about English food? I'll eat them all!
ReplyDeleteI am an American and it wouldn't be good with out the baked beans. Loved the English breakfast. Fried bread made it even better. Stationed there in the 50's for four years. Yes, got married there too, 54 years this June.
ReplyDelete@ Anonymous: Congratulations on your anniversary! I'm glad you agree about the baked beans...And fried bread..yum yum!
ReplyDelete@ Stuart: Do it, but I think us Americans might be a little /too/ greasy. :P
Honestly, the beans make the meal for me. Now I can't eat eggs without them...
ReplyDeleteBeans are essential for the breakfast. They're my favourite part!
ReplyDeleteYes! Resounding agreement! :D
ReplyDeleteI'm surprised at how many people have taken to the beans, which is rarely part of an American breakfast! Being from Massachusetts, I would no doubt substitute the Boston Baked style of bean!
ReplyDeleteOne note about the author's comment of "Hobbit-like" qualities of English food: Tolkien would applaud you! He based the residents of The Shire on the English themselves, and the cuisine specifically on what he grew used to in the region around Oxford. Good observation and great catch! : D - Gwynneth