Farmersgirl Kitchen: Great British Cooking, an 'English' Rarebit and a Giveaway

Sunday 12 April 2015

Great British Cooking, an 'English' Rarebit and a Giveaway

Carolyn and Chris Calidcott have travelled the world in pursuit of delicious food. In this book they come home to explore the long-overlooked delights of traditional British Cooking. Tried and tested recipes, some with a twist, combine with a stylish evocation of the nation's style: pubs, country lanes, sweet peas in a jar and bracing Sunday walks.

A potted history of English cooking: A very accessible history running through from the Roman settlement of Britain through to the twentieth century.

The Full English: includes recipes for 'The Fry-Up', Bubble and Squeak, Marmalade, Tomato Ketchup. Coddled Eggs and Kedgeree.

The Pub Lunch: some tasty recipes for a perfect lunch including Rhubarb and Apple Chutney, Pickled Onions, Raised Pork Pie, Piccalilli, Cornish Pasties, English Rarebit (see below) and Bangers, Mustard Mash and Onion Gravy.

The Sunday Roast: We all love a roast and this chapter, not only provides you with the recipes for the roasts but also for the accompaniments, so with the Roast Beef there is Yorkshire Pudding and Horseradish Sauce, with Roast Pork, Apple Sauce and Sage and Onion Stuffing, not to mention that very popular crackling (not popular with me, I might add). Roast Lamb comes with Apricot Stuffing and Mint Sauce. Recipes for Roast potatoes, gravy, clapshot and various vegetables complete your meal. There are even instructions for cooking your Christmas Turkey with the accompaniments of Chestnut Stuffing and Cranberry Sauce.

The Nation's Favourites: Stroll, or eat your way, down memory lane with Lancashire Hotpot, Shepherd's Pie, Steak and Kidney Pudding, Toad in the Hole with Onion Gravy, Chicken and Mushroom Pie, Beer Battered Cod and Twice-Cooked Chips served with Mushy Peas and Tartare Sauce, and finally a Poached Salmon with Samphire and English Butter Sauce.

The Queen of Puddings: Starting with a recipe for a creamy home made custard which would go very well with the Jam Roly Poly or a lovely fruit crumble. A traditional favourite of Bread and Butter Pudding, or a Treacle Tart with a twist - a Gingery Treacle Tart! Rice Pudding, Raspberry and Banana Trifle, Spice Baked Apples, Queen of Puddings and for the grand finale a Christmas Plum Pudding with Brandy Butter.

Who is this book for?
I think this would be a good book to give to a visitor from another country, as it covers a good selection of traditional English (I'll come on to that in a moment) recipes. It would also be ideal for someone who is relatively new to cooking and would like to recreate traditional comfort food recipes.

Pros
A neat little book packed with recipes and excellent photographs. As well as the history, each recipe has an introductory paragraph of interesting information. The recipes are simple and easy to follow.

Cons
This book is called 'Great British Cooking', however I could not find a single recipe for a traditional Scottish, Welsh or Irish dish. So I feel that the title does not represent the content. Even the Welsh Rarebit has become English Rarebit, although it was extremely good!

English Rarebit
Serve 4

1 tbsp plain flour
1 generous teaspoon English mustard powder
Pinch of cayenne pepper
6 tbsp strong beer, dry cider or milk
1 heaped tablespoon butter
250g/9oz strong Cheddar cheese, grated
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
Black pepper to taste
4 thick slices of good bread
A small glass of red wine

1. Combine the flour, mustard and cayenne in a bowl and gradually pour in the beer, stirring untl smooth.
2. Place the butter in a small saucepan and melt over a low heat, Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the beer/flour mixture.
3. Add the cheese and gently warm, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until the cheese has completely melted and a thick sauce forms. Stir in the Worcestershire sauce and season to taste.
4. Toast the bread, sprinkle with a little red wine (I didn't do this and it was fine without) and spread with the cheese mixture, taking care to cover the crusts. Grill until brown and molten. Serve immediately.

The rarebit was really delicious and I would definitely make it again.

Great British Cooking
By Carolyn Caldicott
Photography by Chris Caldicott
Published by Frances Lincoln
RRP £12.99

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Labels: Carolyn Caldicott, English Rarebit, Frances Lincoln, giveaway, Great British Cooking, Welsh Rarebit, win

90 Comments:

At 12 April 2015 at 01:06 , Lynsey Buchanan said...: You can't beat a sunday roast
At 12 April 2015 at 07:36 , Tracy Nixon said...: Cornish Pasty!
At 12 April 2015 at 07:47 , Jo m welsh said...: I love toad in the hole if that counts :-)
At 12 April 2015 at 07:48 , Jane Willis said...: Tough choice! Steamed steak pudding, Lancashire hotpot, cottage pie - lovely comfort foods. But there's one thing that stands out from all other cuisines - BREAD SAUCE.
At 12 April 2015 at 08:00 , Richard Randall said...: Yorkshire Puddlings
At 12 April 2015 at 08:01 , Anonymous said...: Scott Walliss - Steak and ale pie with lots of veg.
At 12 April 2015 at 08:12 , Jean said...: Looks like an interesting book, but it's a shame if there are only English recipes in it.
I could eat that rarebit right now, it looks delicious! My favourite "British' recipe would have to be shepherd's pie, but I now realise the French have something very similar. Which just goes to show that either there are no truly original recipes, or that anything good will have an international version.
At 12 April 2015 at 08:28 , Unknown said...: Cottage pie x
At 12 April 2015 at 09:18 , Unknown said...: Beef Wellington
At 12 April 2015 at 09:25 , Wise Ways said...: Cottage Pie xxx
At 12 April 2015 at 09:48 , Unknown said...: Cottage Pie!
At 12 April 2015 at 10:01 , Paul said...: I love a Sunday roast!
At 12 April 2015 at 10:48 , kasza said...: My Grandmas recipe for Lancashire Hotpot
At 12 April 2015 at 10:59 , Elizabeth Hinds said...: You can't beat a good roast dinner! X
At 12 April 2015 at 11:01 , Kristy Brown said...: So much choice but I think I would have to go with Fish and Chips or Yorkshire pud!
At 12 April 2015 at 11:20 , rugmaker said...: Steak pudding
At 12 April 2015 at 11:22 , Unknown said...: Shepherds pie simple dish but morish
At 12 April 2015 at 11:24 , Heather Haigh said...: Roast beef, Yorkshire puddings, and all the trimmings.
At 12 April 2015 at 12:01 , Unknown said...: Roast dinner! :)
At 12 April 2015 at 12:21 , lozzle said...: has to be toad in the hole
At 12 April 2015 at 13:09 , Unknown said...: Can't beat a Cornish pasty!
At 12 April 2015 at 14:01 , clairebears30 said...: for me its beef steef :)
At 12 April 2015 at 14:30 , dorsetsgem said...: cauliflower cheese
At 12 April 2015 at 15:38 , Fozia said...: Biryani
At 12 April 2015 at 15:50 , Steve said...: The Cornish Pasty. Easy to eat and tasty at the same time
At 12 April 2015 at 16:01 , Caroline said...: I think it would be Eton Mess for me (I know, not much "cooking" unless you make your own meringue!).
At 12 April 2015 at 16:11 , Sarah Pybus said...: Gotta be a roast beef dinner with all the trimmings :)
At 12 April 2015 at 18:25 , Louise A said...: roast beef and all the trimmings
At 12 April 2015 at 18:26 , kj19 said...: steak and kidney pudding
At 12 April 2015 at 18:39 , Hayleyhay733 said...: Steak and ale pie with mash and veg!
At 12 April 2015 at 18:50 , mummy24 said...: Shepherds pie!

Ashleigh
At 12 April 2015 at 18:54 , Nadia said...: Genuinely .... Rarebit - closely followed by a Roast Beef dinner with Yorkshire pudding.
At 12 April 2015 at 19:11 , winnie said...: sausage and mash
At 12 April 2015 at 20:00 , Allan Smith said...: Hot pot
At 12 April 2015 at 20:08 , Heidi Roberts said...: A great review of this book. I have it coming in my book reviews for April.
At 12 April 2015 at 21:28 , lucyrobinson said...: Sausage and mash. x
At 12 April 2015 at 21:53 , Amanda Hart said...: Roast beef dinner
At 12 April 2015 at 22:44 , Unknown said...: yummy steak and ale pie
At 13 April 2015 at 08:20 , Unknown said...: Definitely sounds like a good started book! Like you said though, it's surprising there isn't more scot/welsh or northern irish recipes in there.

Nosebag NI | Food & Lifestyle - www.nosebagni.com
At 13 April 2015 at 10:05 , Anonymous said...: My favourite British recipe is Cottage Pie. Donna Loxton
At 13 April 2015 at 11:19 , Unknown said...: I too am wondering what makes this rarebit more English than Welsh, but either way, you can't beat a good one. Is there an English cullen skink in there too?
At 13 April 2015 at 11:28 , Alison said...: I am not sure I have a favourite, I am currently investigating lots of regional recipes. I know yorkshire puddings is my sons.
At 13 April 2015 at 16:05 , geezerbird44 said...: Lancashire hotpot
At 13 April 2015 at 19:35 , Unknown said...: Well I have to say that for me, there is nothing better than Yorkshire Pudding / Toad in the Hole (I may be biased though, as Yorkshire is my adopted home...)

Bethan, Audacity of Food
At 13 April 2015 at 20:36 , Citrus Spice and Travels said...: I would have expected some old fashioned British recipes in it, does it have many vegetarian recipes in it???
At 13 April 2015 at 21:39 , Janice said...: not much in the way of veggie dishes Nanya. Cauliflower Cheese and English Rarebit and bubble and squeak, but not much in the way of main course dishes.
At 14 April 2015 at 16:16 , Unknown said...: Fish pie! The rarebit looks delish!
At 14 April 2015 at 20:57 , frances hopkins said...: Toad in the hole
At 15 April 2015 at 15:30 , Charlottep said...: Yorkie puds - could eat with anything (and I do)
At 15 April 2015 at 20:26 , Jacqueline Meldrum said...: Oh I am craving this Janice. I have bashed my grill too often when putting pans and trays in the oven, so it's not working and no roasted cheese or rarebit for me. So sad :(
At 15 April 2015 at 21:55 , Janice said...: That's very true Jean.
At 15 April 2015 at 21:55 , Janice said...: Look forward to seeing what you make of it Heidi
At 15 April 2015 at 21:56 , Janice said...: ha ha! No, Chloe there isn't. I can only think that the rarebit uses English Cheddar, it does seem a strange title though.
At 15 April 2015 at 21:58 , Janice said...: It really is a good recipe, tastes a bit like what my Mum used to make. Oh no, that a tragedy! my grill is in the top oven so doesn't come in for any ill treatment. I know I would be lost without my grill.
At 16 April 2015 at 15:06 , Clare B said...: Since seeing the rarebit recipe I can't think of anything else! Love a good fry up or roast too but that rarebit has stolen my taste buds!
At 16 April 2015 at 15:38 , Choclette said...: That's right you tell em Janice. Us smaller countries are still part of Britain - at least I think we are ;-) Love rarebit or just simple cheese on toast.
At 17 April 2015 at 08:41 , Kim Neville said...: Roast chicken
At 17 April 2015 at 16:52 , Lesley Bradley said...: Lancashire Hotpot
At 21 April 2015 at 22:34 , no name said...: Sticky toffee pudding
At 22 April 2015 at 16:53 , Rachael Pilkington said...: I love a good steak and ale pie!
At 23 April 2015 at 13:19 , BECCA STAPLES said...: Shepherds Pie x
At 26 April 2015 at 19:06 , Emma Nixon said...: Toad in the hole and mash
At 26 April 2015 at 23:09 , bloomers said...: I'm not sure it's a classic English dish but I love cheese and potato pie.
At 26 April 2015 at 23:16 , mellysocks said...: Roast beef and yorkshire pudding
At 29 April 2015 at 16:18 , Leanne W said...: Yorkshire Puddlings - leanne w
At 1 May 2015 at 17:30 , Victoria said...: Nothing beats a traditional Sunday Roast with all the trimmings
At 1 May 2015 at 21:49 , jenna said...: cheese on toast
At 1 May 2015 at 22:20 , Diana said...: Sausages and mash!
At 2 May 2015 at 21:42 , Andrew Hindley said...: Roast Beef and Yorkshire Pudding
At 2 May 2015 at 23:50 , Angie said...: Sticky toffee pud
At 3 May 2015 at 23:18 , Victoria R Morrison said...: Got to be a sunday roast!
At 3 May 2015 at 23:44 , faye huntington said...: mmmmmm yorkshire puddings and gravy!!!
At 4 May 2015 at 07:54 , Anonymous said...: meat and potato pie
At 4 May 2015 at 08:05 , philiboy said...: Roast Beef with horseraddish
At 4 May 2015 at 11:17 , Unknown said...: toad int hole!!
At 4 May 2015 at 18:03 , Deborah Bird said...: Yorkshire pudding!
At 4 May 2015 at 21:08 , WeeWillieWilkie said...: Shepherd's Pie
At 4 May 2015 at 21:50 , Patricia Avery said...: Roast beef with Yorkshire pudding :)
At 5 May 2015 at 00:18 , denise s said...: Beef casserole and dumplings! Yummy!!
At 5 May 2015 at 08:30 , Marie redding said...: Fish and chips!
At 5 May 2015 at 08:52 , jeanniev1 said...: Love cottage pie with lashings of gravy and green beans, finished with a dollop of tomato sauce on top.
At 5 May 2015 at 08:53 , Evette Williams said...: Fish in beer batter and homemade chips
At 5 May 2015 at 09:25 , Anonymous said...: Love your site. Everything looks so good I'm getting hungry thank you so much xx
At 5 May 2015 at 09:43 , Unknown said...: fish pie
At 5 May 2015 at 09:51 , Kathleen Bywaters said...: Pie & Mash (especially steak pie!)
At 5 May 2015 at 11:33 , Susan said...: Braising steak casserole
At 5 May 2015 at 13:52 , hannahlw85 said...: Shepherds Pie
At 5 May 2015 at 22:06 , angep1969 said...: Cottage Pie :-)
At 8 May 2015 at 23:18 , Natalie Crossan said...: Roast chicken
At 22 September 2015 at 19:51 , plasterers bristol said...: This sounds really delicious and something new to try. Thank you for sharing this.

Simon

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Sunday 12 April 2015

Great British Cooking, an 'English' Rarebit and a Giveaway

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