Food Up North

On this post we are going to look at some of the gastronomic experiences that the North of England offers – including the English breakfast and the pub lunch. Here you can find the traditional and the multicultural – from the universally famous Fish’n’Chips, to Hotpot (estofado) and Chicken Tikka Masala. Now you know what to ask for on holiday.

English Breakfast

People in the North of England love a big, hearty (abundante) breakfast, especially at the weekend. In fact they love it so much that some cafes serve “all-day breakfasts”! It normally consists of fried eggs, bacon and sausage. You can also add fried mushrooms,(setas) tomatoes and baked beans.(alubias en salsa de tomate) Serve it with toast and butter and a large cup of tea. Could there be a better way to start the day?

 

Pub Lunch

The English do not have a big lunch. They prefer to eat their main meal in the evening, between 6:00 and 7:30 pm. Most days they usually have a sandwich or a bowl of soup at midday. Sometimes they have a bigger meal and go to the pub for lunch. Here you can find home cooked food – roast beef or lamb (cordero) with vegetables or a plate of stew.(estofado) People usually have a pint of beer with their meal. Each town has its own brands.(marcas) Look for Boddington’s bitter (cerveza amarga) in Manchester and Tetley’s in Yorkshire. And try(16) to find a pub where you can have a hand-pulled pint.(surtidor natural)
 

Fish’n’Chips

Eating habits in England have changed in the last ten years. The Mediterranean diet is now considered as the healthy (saludable) option. and every day there are more fans of the Mediterranean diet. People use olive oil instead of butter, eat more vegetables and drink more wine. Some culinary traditions, however,(sin embargo) are still alive. For many people, no Friday night is complete without a visit to the chippy.(establecimiento de freiduría en el que se hacen fish’n’chips, entre otras cosas)

 Here you will find deep-fried cod (bacalao) or haddock (abadejo) in batter (rebozado) served with chips and mushy peas. Don’t be surprised if the chips are served in pages from yesterday’s newspaper rolled into a cone!(cucurucho)

Chicken Tikka Masala

The popularity of Indian and Pakistani cuisine has also changed eating habits in Britain. In fact, this food is so popular that a recent study survey (encuesta) found discovered that Chicken Tikka Masala was is now the most popular dish in the country! It is a classic Anglo-Indian dish: a combination of pieces of chicken that have been cooked in a clay oven plus a spicy sauce.(salsa picante). You can find excellent Chicken Tikka Masala in Manchester, Sheffield or Bradford, or anywhere there is an Indian or Pakistani community.

Lancashire Hotpot

You can understand why the English like sauces if you try one of the classic stews. Lancashire Hotpot is a dish from the North that will sustain you in the coldest winter. Originally it was a dish that miners took underground with them wrapped (envuelto) in a blanket (manta) or shepherds (pastores) took into the fields. Now it is served in many pubs and restaurants. If you are staying with a Northern family, you will probably have it for dinner. It is made with pieces of lamb, kidney,(riñones) onions and potatoes and baked in the oven. You will definitely want to have seconds!