The Wandering Kitchen: London
In the Skagit Valley Food Co-op’s Wandering Kitchen Travel Blog Series, we’re taking you on a virtual trip to some of the best places on Earth for world-class cuisine. Whether it comes from your backyard or a different continent, good food has the power to transport you anywhere you want to go. So while you might not travel to the heart of India, the Caribbean, or the boot of Italy by plane, train, or automobile, you can take your taste buds on a trip simply by turning your dining table into a delicious destination for some of the world’s best food.
We’ll be featuring locations near and far known for their food, inspirational recipes to try in your own kitchen, as well as products you can find in the Co-op to give you a taste of the cuisine.
In this edition of The Wandering Kitchen, we're taking a hop across the pond to London, England, where we'll be sampling their diverse world-famous cuisine. Offering everything from chicken tikka masala to sausage and potatoes, there's something for everyone on this list of London fare!
Why London?
In London, you'll find over 70 Michelin star restaurants as well as some of the most well-known celebrity chefs including the infamously passionate Gordon Ramsay.
While London may have not been a global gourmet destination back in the 80s, nowadays it's a must-stop place on many a foodie's bucket list.
London cuisine also takes inspiration from countries all over the globe, making it a well-rounded destination for a variety of cuisine tastes and preferences.
London Inspired Recipes
Put on your favorite Beatles record from the 60s, pour yourself a cup of hot tea, and check out some of our favorite recipes to enjoy a taste of London town.
Photo Courtesy of i am a food blog
Full English Breakfast
Here in American, a full breakfast might look like eggs, pancakes, hashbrowns, bacon, and absolutely some coffee. But in England, you'll find some unsuspecting items on a full English breakfast plate, such as beans. Yes, beans for breakfast!
This breakfast is far from light and may be best compared to a big brunch spread that we often like to enjoy on the weekends here in the states. To truly be a 'Full English' (as it's often referred to), you'll need bacon, fried eggs, sausage, mushrooms, black beans, toast, grilled tomatoes, and toast.
Optional additions include black pudding, baked beans, and bubble and squeak. And don't forget a spot of tea!
Photo Courtesy of RecipeTin Eats
Fish and Chips
Fish and chips might be the most iconic food you can eat in London, and this beer-battered option is the perfect light and crunchy recipe.
Utilizing white fish and a combination of flour, rice flour, baking powder, salt, and beer for the batter, these fish and chips are fried in peanut oil and served with a side of tartar sauce and lemon wedges.
Serve your fish and chips ASAP, as they are only crispy for 15-20 minutes. We bet they'll be long gone by then anyway!
Photo Courtesy of RecipeTin Eats
Chicken Tikka Masala
Creamy, tangy, herby, and perfectly spicy, it doesn't get much better than chicken tikka masala. Though the origins of this dish are certainly disputed, it's safe to say that chicken tikka masala is absolutely a London staple.
In fact, many consider chicken tikka masala to be a true national British dish, not only because it’s popular but because it’s a symbol of how Britain "absorbs and adapts external influences".
Taking influence from the popular Indian dish butter chicken, chicken tikka masala is simply chunks of chicken breast marinated in yogurt and spices, roasted in the oven, and served over a bed of rice with a healthy serving of creamy curry sauce.
Photo Courtesy of Curious Cuisinière
Bubble and Squeak
Simply put, bubble and squeak are hash-style British potato cakes that are made up of leftover veggies and potatoes.
Onions, bacon, cabbage, mashed potatoes, and leftover veggies are all combined before being fried up hashbrown style in a skillet. Serve it with a fried egg on top, or skip it if that's not your style.
Either way, this is a quick and easy breakfast hash idea that's perfect for utilizing leftover veggies taking up space in the fridge.
Photo Courtesy of NY Times Cooking
Beef Wellington
Whip up a Beef Wellington that would impress Gordon Ramsay himself with this recipe from NY Times Cooking.
Though it may have a closer connection to American than the UK, beef wellington was first created as a celebration for the first Duke of Wellington, Arthur Wellesley, after he was victorious at the Battle of Waterloo.
At its simplest, beef wellington is an elegant, decadent dish consisting of beef tenderloin wrapped in layers of pâté, a mushroom mixture, parma ham, and puff pastry. It's baked in the oven to crispy perfection and often served with a mushroom gravy or red wine sauce.
Photo Courtesy of RecipeTin Eats
Bangers and Mash
Hearty, warm, and cozy, bangers and mash is simply sausage with onion gravy and mashed potatoes. It’s one of those sticks-to-your-bones kind of recipes that are hard to say no to, especially on a cold day.
While the term 'mash' for potatoes makes sense, you might be curious where the term 'bangers' came from. According to Britannica, the term bangers originated during World War I, when there were meat shortages. To cut costs, sausage was often made with a number of fillers, namely water, that could cause the meat to explode when it was cooked. Hence, the term bangers!
Calling for just a handful of pantry staples as ingredients, this recipe is easy to toss together and is perfect on a rainy PNW day.
Photo Courtesy of Once Upon a Chef
Shepherd’s Pie
When you're craving comfort food, shepherd's pie is the way to go. Originating in the sheep country of both the UK and Ireland, Shepherd's pie is traditionally made with lamb, though many modern recipes nowadays utilize beef since it's a much more readily available product.
In this recipe from Once Upon a Chef, ground beef is browned up and combined with bacon, onion, carrots, tomato paste, thyme, and peas.
Mashed potatoes are then layered on top and baked to slightly crispy perfection.
Photo Courtesy of King Arthur Baking
Sticky Toffee Pudding
In the United States, the "term" pudding brings to mind that light and flubbery dessert that's usually vanilla, chocolate, or butterscotch in flavor. But in Great Britain, the term "pudding" simply means dessert.
And even if pudding isn't really your jam, you should still give sticky toffee pudding a shot -- it's quite delicious and doesn't resemble US-style pudding at all.
Sticky toffee pudding is essentially a fig and molasses cake drizzled with a thick sauce made up of sugar, butter, salt, and heavy cream.
Find the full recipe at King Arthur Baking
English Food Staples Available at the Co-op
English Breakfast Tea — from a variety of vendors
The Co-op's Own Sausage — for bangers and mash
English-style Porters and Stouts — in our Beer Department