Need British Menu Suggestions

[macloudt at yahoo.co.uk]

--- In HPFGU-OTChatter at y..., hamster8 at h... wrote:
> 
> Now, you see, this is where I think you're going to slip up, as the 
> concept of side dishes isn't one that fits well with standard 
British 
> practice.  All well and good to have baked beans *with* the 
> shepherd's pie, but as a side dish - calls to mind seperate plates, 
> which isn't really how it's done ... not cricket, you see, chaps.
> 
> Further snippings of John ... "Do try not to get the BBQ-flavored 
> ones...just the ones in the nice tomato-y sauce. You could also 
roast 
> some parsnips or make cauliflower cheese."
> 
> Plain baked beans will do fine.  My Mum actually used to put the 
> baked beans *in* the actual mixture.  I have never heard of 
> cauliflower cheese served with shepherd's pie.  Cauliflower cheese 
> must be served with chips and ketchup.  I doubt John's sanity, now.
> 
> Al

I've lived in England for 6 years now, and if there's one thing I've 
learned about English cooking, it's this:  No matter what you serve, 
it *must* be served with chips (french fries).  I've been served 
chips with lasagna...back in Toronto I have friends with uncles named 
Guido who'd throw you in Lake Ontario wearing nothing but concrete 
slippers for serving that.  By the way, shepherd's pie tends to be 
called cottage pie here.  For dessert, how about bread and butter 
pudding?  Very traditional, and typically artery-clogging.  I think I 
have a recipe for it somewhere if you can't find it; just email me.

I take it spotted dick wouldn't go down well with the church group...

Cheers!

Mary Ann :)
(who highly recommends Somerset cider to wash down *any* meal)