England

English Custard Pudding

May 17, 2011

English Custard Pudding  

INGREDIENTS

1 Ounce Sugar

10 Ounces Boiling Milk

1 Tablespoon Vanilla Extract

2 Large Egg Yolks

Beat the egg yolks in a small bowl.  In a large bowl combine the sugar, vanilla and the beaten yolks.  Pour in the boiling milk whisking while you pour.  Put the custard into a saucepan and over LOW heat.  Stir until the right consistency is obtained.  DO NOT let the mixture boil or you will end up with scrambled eggs.  Remove from heat and either serve immediately or allow to cool.  Once cooled it should be covered and kept in the refrigerator for 2 days.  Do not reheat once chilled.  Serves 4

Spotted Dick

May 16, 2011

Spotted Dick

Some would rather call this dessert “Spotted Dog Pudding.”  The spotted part refers to the currants in the dough and the word dick is a colloquial word for pudding. 

INGREDIENTS

8 Ounces Self-Rising Flour

4 Ounces Shredded Suet

8 Ounces Currants

2/3 Cups Cold Water

1 Ounce Sugar

1/8 Teaspoon Salt

Mix together the flour, sugar, salt, suet and the currents.  Keep mixing and add a little water at a time until the whole becomes firm dough.  Roll into a long cylindrical shape that is about 8 inches long.  Carefully place the rolled pastry into a small pan that is close to 8 inches diameter as possible.  On top of the stove, place this smaller pan into a larger pan that is filled with boiling water.  Do not fill so that the water spills into the smaller pan.  This is to make a steamer to “steam” the pudding.  Put on the lid to the larger pan and steam for about 2 ¼ hours making sure that the water is topped up in the outer pan with boiling water. If you would rather steam in the oven you can wrap in roil and bake at 400° F for 1 ½ hours.  Serve with custard.  Serves 6

Traditional Fish & Chips

May 15, 2011

Traditional Fish & Chips

You don’t have to go to the “chippie” to get traditional fish & chips.  Serve with salt and malt vinegar.

INGREDIENTS

4 Large Pieces of Either Cod or Haddock

2 ½ Pounds Potatoes

Sunflower Seed Oil

Salt & Pepper to Taste

Batter

7 Ounces Unbleached Flour

1 Large Egg

2 ½ Ounces Milk

2 ½ Ounces Water

2 Tablespoons Dark Beer

Peel the potatoes and cut them into chips.  You should cook them after you start cooking the fish.  Place them covered in water to stop them going brown.  Set aside. Make the batter mixture by putting the flour into a large bowl.  Whisk the egg and add the 2 tablespoons of dark beer in a separate bowl.  Now pour the whisked egg into the flour adding the milk and water.  Beat until smooth.  Leave batter stand for an hour. 

Heat a deep and heavy pan filled with enough oil to cover the chips.  Make sure that the oil gets hot.  If you drop in a tiny piece of potato and it immediately starts to sizzle then the oil is hot enough. 

Heat another pan of oil just deep enough to cover the fish.  Individually put each fish fillet into the batter.  Slide the fish pieces back and forth to cover with the batter.  Lift out the fish pieces and allow to drip for a moment and then repeat.  This makes certain that the fish is completely covered in batter.  Lower the battered fish into the hot oil skin side to the bottom of the pan to stop the fillet from curling as it heats.  Now cook one fillet at a time.  After 5 minutes turn the fish over and cook for another 3 to 4 minutes.  Repeat with the second fillet, keeping the first cooked fillet warm in the oven.  Now it is time to put the chips in the pan to cook.  Take care as the oil might froth as the wet chips go in.  This is normal, but be careful not to burn yourself.  Carry on cooking the other two fillets and put them in the oven to keep warm.  Lift out the chips when they reach a nice golden brown color and are cooked through.  Use a mesh spoon to lift the chips out and let the oil drip back into the pan.  Serve on plates or newspapers with the fish nestling on a bed of chips.  Malt vinegar, salt & ketchup, YUM!  Serves 4

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