Bringing British classics back
Shepherd's pie probably features in the top 10 of anyone's list of British classic meals, and it's the kind of comfort food that can warm you up on a cold night. It can be made the night before so that you have something ready in the fridge after a long day. Just let the dish come up to room temperature before putting it in the oven. Gordon Ramsay's recipe uses lamb mince and red wine along with carrot and onion to pack in flavour, but he grates the vegetables, which helps them cook quickly.
If you want to capture the essential flavour of a shepherd's pie without the assembling, try out this deconstructed version. You could even ring the changes by swapping the normal spuds for sweet potato to give the meal a modern twist.
Another pie that has gone down in history is a game pie, which really rose to prominence in Victorian Britain. With elaborately decorated pastry and traditional birds used as filling it makes a perfect Sunday roast alternative.
More British classics:
Roast beef sirloin
Chicken and mushroom pie
Fish and chips
Homemade fish pie
Easy steak and onion pie
Steak and kidney hotpot
Sausages and stews
You can't beat a good sausage, and the reliable sausages and mash combo can be varied by adding onions and mustard mash, a taste combination which works well. Anyone who is looking to cut out the tatties can try out this sausage and turkey stew, complete with hearty dumplings. Your stomach won't be rumbling after tucking into this warming meal.
Other pork dishes:
Sausage rolls
Roast pork belly
Toad in the hole
Sweet talking
We can't neglect cakes when talking about classic British food. With its combination of light sponge, buttercream and jam, a Victoria sponge is a slice to enjoy at any time, but especially with a cup of tea. Alternatively, chocolate fans might like to try out Nigella Lawson's recipe for an indulgent devil's food cake. If you're craving something simpler, a Golden Syrup cake might be more your thing, or maybe a treacle tart might bring back fond memories. Perhaps the ultimate plain-but-satisfying teatime treat is a Madeira cake. It's easy to make and if you have any left over (or if you make two) it's the perfect cake to use in a classic British trifle.
More British puds:
Caramel apple crumble
Bread and butter pudding
Easy rhubarb and custard ice cream
English custard at home
Blackberry pie
Apple and cinnamon pie
Lemon and poppy seed drizzle cake
There's more great British inspiration in the video recipes below:
