BRITS BITS: 10 favorite British foods

  • Published
  • By Gina Randall
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
RAF Mildenhall, England --  Cooking is a favorite pastime for many people, as they find it relaxing and therapeutic.
Love a certain dish or not, everyone needs to eat. Much of the food eaten in the U.K. today is influenced by historical events, such as the English agricultural revolution, where more food was needed to feed the growing population, and food rationing during the wars. For Americans stationed in the U.K., it's a great time to embrace the culture by enjoying some local dishes.

Here we look at favorite dishes of this and other generations of British people.

1. Haggis, neeps and tatties. This Scottish meal has been a favorite for generations. Previous generations enjoyed a haggis of boiled sheep's stomach, filled with the parts of an animal readily available and cheap to buy, such as heart, liver and lungs, as well as oatmeal and onion. Today, the stomach is replaced by a sausage casing. The addition of swede or turnip (neeps) and mashed potatoes (tatties) make a hearty meal on cold winter evenings. A good time to enjoy this meal is Burns Night, the week of Jan. 25, each year, when the Scottish poet Robert Burns is commemorated.

For more information, visit www.britishfood.about.com/od/maincour3/a/haggis.htm

2. Bangers and mash. This is a meal of sausages and mashed potatoes. Usually the sausages are served on a bed of potatoes and surrounded by gravy. The term "bangers" is said to date back to World War II when, under rationing, the sausages were made with water. This meant they often exploded during cooking.

For more information, visit www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/bangerswithgreenmash_2962

3. Spotted dick. This dessert is easy to make and consists of a cake containing dried fruits. The term "spotted" is due to the fruit looking like spots and the word "dick" may be due to the German word for "thick" to represent the texture of the cake. It's a real winter warmer and is often served with hot custard.

For more information, visit www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/2686661/spotted-dick

4. Shepherd's Pie. This is a favorite dish created by sheep farmers' wives to provide nourishment for their hard-working husbands after a long day on the hills tending their flock. A bed of minced lamb is covered by a layer of mashed potatoes. Vegetables, such as peas and carrots, are often added to the mince layer before the dish is baked in the oven. Cottage pie is the minced-beef alternative.

For more information, visit www.jamieshomecookingskills.com/recipe.php?title=shepherd-s-pie

5. Drop scones. Some people call them pandrops or Scotch pancakes. This is another food popular in Scotland. It's very similar to a pancake, only smaller and lighter and often served with cream and jam with afternoon tea.

For more information, visit www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/dropsconeswithbutter_78898

6. Scotch Broth soup. This is another winter warmer and perfect for the busy family, as it can be made in a large batch and reheated for a meal. It's a thick soup of lentils, meat stock, oats and split peas.

For more information, visit www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/scotchbroth_8116

7. Toad in the Hole. This meal is easy to make. It's a bed of batter with sausages placed in it, then baked in the oven. It's often served with gravy.

For more information, visit http://realfood.tesco.com/recipes/individual-toad-in-the-hole-with-mustard-and-cider-gravy.html

8. Eton Mess. This is traditionally served at Eton College's annual cricket game. It has been served in the school's tuck shop since the 1930s. This is a dessert consisting of broken meringue pieces, strawberries and cream. Often served in a glass, it's quick and easy to make.

For more information, visit www.bbc.co.uk/food/eton_mess

9. Yorkshire pudding. This is a part of a "Sunday roast" meal consisting of meat such as pork, lamb, beef or chicken, served with roast potatoes, vegetables and gravy. The Yorkshire pudding is a batter mix made into a pudding-style savory side dish, extra to the meal.

For more information, visit www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/9020/best-yorkshire-puddings

10. Fish and chips (a thick version of the U.S. French fries). A classic British dish that is not meant for an everyday meal, as it's high in fat and so should be more of an occasional treat. They are traditionally enjoyed on a visit to the seaside and popular in towns such as Wells-Next-The-Sea. Chipbutties can be made by filling a bread roll with chips. There are many variations of this meal, including adding curry sauce or mushy peas, or replacing the fish with battered sausage or a meat-filled pie.

For more information, visit www.channel4.com/4food/features/top-10s/the-top-10-fish-shops-in-britain

These dishes can be enjoyed by service members and their families even once they Permanent Change of Station to another base, as most of these ingredients are available in any country. They can be created from scratch or adapted to suit most tastes and dietary needs. But why not give them a try while stationed in the country they were first created all those years ago?