NationStates Jolt Archive

and other British "delicacies."

I was watching The Importance of Being Ernest the other day and at some point in the show, they were talking about cucumber sandwiches and how wonderful they were. So I tried making some. I used white bread (cutting the crusts off), Irish butter and cucumbers sliced thin. They were indifferent. I can't imagine anyone polishing off a whole tray of them as the person in the show did. Did I leave something out?

What about other British food - like brown sauce, watercress sandwiches, clotted cream, lemon curd? I've tried some of them (I've been unable to find brown sauce in the States) and been unimpressed. On the other hand, I love fish and chips, Yorkshire pudding and good roast beef. Is it something in the American ingredients or in the way I put them together?

and other British "delicacies."

I was watching The Importance of Being Ernest the other day and at some point in the show, they were talking about cucumber sandwiches and how wonderful they were. So I tried making some. I used white bread (cutting the crusts off), Irish butter and cucumbers sliced thin. They were indifferent. I can't imagine anyone polishing off a whole tray of them as the person in the show did. Did I leave something out?

What about other British food - like brown sauce, watercress sandwiches, clotted cream, lemon curd? I've tried some of them (I've been unable to find brown sauce in the States) and been unimpressed. On the other hand, I love fish and chips, Yorkshire pudding and good roast beef. Is it something in the American ingredients or in the way I put them together?

Salt and pepper. They still taste pretty sick though.

Try some nice salmon with mayonnaise and mashed potato after a day fishing in the English countryside.

EDIT
I don't know whether that was a serious post or not.

Cucumber sandwiches sound really nasty.

Salmon with mayo and mashed potato, however, sounds like bliss.

British

Theres your problem.

Personally, if I happened to have some cucumber, I might put some in a pate sandwich. Using it as a main ingredient strikes me as a bit odd. I think you have to seriously consider the possibility that Wilde was satirising Earnest and his friends' lifestyle - having nothing better to do than sit around eating vacuous food.

Theres your problem.

Meanwhile, in Philadelphia... (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheesesteak)

and other British "delicacies."

I was watching The Importance of Being Ernest the other day and at some point in the show, they were talking about cucumber sandwiches and how wonderful they were. So I tried making some. I used white bread (cutting the crusts off), Irish butter and cucumbers sliced thin. They were indifferent. I can't imagine anyone polishing off a whole tray of them as the person in the show did. Did I leave something out?

What about other British food - like brown sauce, watercress sandwiches, clotted cream, lemon curd? I've tried some of them (I've been unable to find brown sauce in the States) and been unimpressed. On the other hand, I love fish and chips, Yorkshire pudding and good roast beef. Is it something in the American ingredients or in the way I put them together?

I confidently predict that you would love: Toad-in-the-hole - use Lincolnshire sausages

What about other British food - like brown sauce, watercress sandwiches, clotted cream, lemon curd? I've tried some of them (I've been unable to find brown sauce in the States) and been unimpressed. On the other hand, I love fish and chips, Yorkshire pudding and good roast beef. Is it something in the American ingredients or in the way I put them together?

Problem is, the first few (apart from brown sauce) are foods that pretty much no-one eats in the UK any more. The final three are enjoyed almost universally, however. Seconding my esteemed colleague above, I'd reccommend toad in the hole, mit onion gravy, for your next outing in English cuisine.

Also: American bread is different, somehow. Not sure why. And cucumber sandiwches are traditionally really dainty food, to be consumed with a cup of tea, which may add something to it, but to be honest I'm not sure, as I can confess to only having eaten them once when I was quite small.

You need lots of pepper on cucumber sandwiches, personally I prefer wholemeal bread for them.

Cucumber sandwiches are nice, but only if you have some type of sauce or spread on them. My favourite is to have them with very soft cheese spread on the bred.

and other British "delicacies."

I was watching The Importance of Being Ernest the other day and at some point in the show, they were talking about cucumber sandwiches and how wonderful they were. So I tried making some. I used white bread (cutting the crusts off), Irish butter and cucumbers sliced thin. They were indifferent. I can't imagine anyone polishing off a whole tray of them as the person in the show did. Did I leave something out?

What about other British food - like brown sauce, watercress sandwiches, clotted cream, lemon curd? I've tried some of them (I've been unable to find brown sauce in the States) and been unimpressed. On the other hand, I love fish and chips, Yorkshire pudding and good roast beef. Is it something in the American ingredients or in the way I put them together?

i don't think most people have cucumber sandwiches any more. the play is a fair few decades (try 112 years) old, no?

the only place i've actually seen them served is at a posh beachside restaurant we go to sometimes in Poole. and even then they're served on the side with the afternoon cream tea, spread with cream cheese or something. i'm not much fond of them either.

clotted cream, however, is fantastic with a scone and jam. and a cup of earl grey. hot.
its uninspiring on its own of course.

and i know few people who eat lemon curd these days either...

Seconding my esteemed colleague above, I'd reccommend toad in the hole, mit onion gravy, for your next outing in English cuisine.

I like being esteemed of a Monday morning :)

Cucumber sandwiches are nice, but only if you have some type of sauce or spread on them. My favourite is to have them with very soft cheese spread on the bred.

The problem with cucumber sandwiches, and I admit that the amount of thought I'm putting into this goes beyond the value of a cucumber sandwich, but I feel people should be warned because Lord knows someone will read this thread and then fancy themselves said cucumber sandwich, however....

...adding cucumber, which has that slippery goo texture much akin to Aloe Vera, to butter, which has the oily texture of grease, creates a slip-sliding combination, one that causes a sensation much like licking the underside of a particularly smooth slug.

It's like thinly slicing off the stomach of said slug and placing it between two soft slices of bread - granted salt and pepper may help the taste but the texture remains the real issue here.

I'm not a fan of this particular food (and I don't know any who are), but there's possibly quite a few reasons why it didn't turn out right. One, American bread, in my experience, is at least ten times sweeter than any British kind. Two, you don't use butter, you use creamed cheese spread and a little mayonaise and three, American cucumbers are apparently a completely different genus than English ones. Perhaps their texture is different? The cucumbers I've seen in my life were never particularly gooey.

I'm not a fan of this particular food (and I don't know any who are), but there's possibly quite a few reasons why it didn't turn out right. One, American bread, in my experience, is at least ten times sweeter than any British kind. Two, you don't use butter, you use creamed cheese spread and a little mayonaise and three, American cucumbers are apparently a completely different genus than English ones. Perhaps their texture is different? The cucumbers I've seen in my life were never particularly gooey.

Your theory is good up to the point that...I'm English.

Slice a cucumber then run your finger over the flesh - it has a goo-like quality to it, a mucus-y texture, like runny snot - that's what I meant :)

I've never had cucumber sandwiches, but I don't think I'd like them, I prefer cucumber on its own, just to munch on.

Mm, toad-in-the-hole is great, as is bangers and mash. But you have to use British sausages.

*casts another vote for toad in the hole* trés tasty :)

Also, on the subject of sandwiches, I can highly recommend one loaded with bacon, black pudding (although this stuff isn't popular in the States, apparently - you guys don't know what you're missing!), mushrooms and brown sauce - the ideal breakfast ;)

I've never had cucumber sandwiches, but I don't think I'd like them, I prefer cucumber on its own, just to munch on.

Mm, toad-in-the-hole is great, as is bangers and mash. But you have to use British sausages.

Cucumber is somthing that you add to a sandwhich, like lettuce, or mayo, or pickleliy, or mustard, not something that you make a sandwhich from.

Your theory is good up to the point that...I'm English.

Slice a cucumber then run your finger over the flesh - it has a goo-like quality to it, a mucus-y texture, like runny snot - that's what I meant :)

I don't really remember British cucumber, because I've never really eaten either kind. My daughter loves cucumber however, so I've been buying it a lot lately. And I find the texture to be much like watermelon, just with less of a fibrous quality.

Cucumber is somthing that you add to a sandwhich, like lettuce, or mayo, or pickleliy, or mustard, not something that you make a sandwhich from.

Just like bacon, lettuce, or tomato.

*casts another vote for toad in the hole* trés tasty :)

Also, on the subject of sandwiches, I can highly recommend one loaded with bacon, black pudding (although this stuff isn't popular in the States, apparently - you guys don't know what you're missing!), mushrooms and brown sauce - the ideal breakfast ;)

That's true. Most of us don't. So let me tell you. You're missing clotted blood mixed with spices and wrapped in skin. Doesn't that just make you drool?

No? Funny, I always drool when I puke.

Just like bacon, lettuce, or tomato.

Exaclty, except you can of course have just a bacon sandwhich.

Talking of which, brown sauce of tom sauce with ya bacon sarnies? White of brown bread?

I'm gonna be a traditionalist and declare brown sauce, on white bread.

You're missing clotted blood mixed with spices and wrapped in skin. Doesn't that just make you drool?


Meat products are made out of bits of dead animal.
Deal with it.

That's true. Most of us don't. So let me tell you. You're missing clotted blood mixed with spices and wrapped in skin. Doesn't that just make you drool?

No? Funny, I always drool when I puke.
Don't be such a puss about it.

Blood pudding = fantastic, especially with scrambled eggs.



Oh and a Philadelphia Cheesesteak looks like some kind of bastard offspring of cheese on toast and a kebab. Both are nice, but I'd imagine not that good combined.

Just like bacon, lettuce, or tomato.

Except you can make a sandwich from a tomato. Bacon isn't quite substantial enough though.

Oh and a Philadelphia Cheesesteak looks like some kind of bastard offspring of cheese on toast and a kebab. Both are nice, but I'd imagine not that good combined.
I fail to see how people can insult steak covered in melted cheese on a long bun, especially in a topic about cucumbers pretending to be sandwich material. using Cheeze Whiz is questionable. Swiss or American goes well.

I've never had cucumber sandwiches, but I don't think I'd like them, I prefer cucumber on its own, just to munch on.

Mm, toad-in-the-hole is great, as is bangers and mash. But you have to use British sausages.

Bangers are excellent, but very difficult to find in the States. I have been known to drive 7 hours (one way) to a store in Ohio that carries them though, I love them so much...

Except you can make a sandwich from a tomato. Bacon isn't quite substantial enough though.


I fail to see how people can insult steak covered in melted cheese on a long bun, especially in a topic about cucumbers pretending to be sandwich material. using Cheeze Whiz is Sacrilege . Swiss or American goes well.
Fixed.;)

It's funny how often food that you would never ordinarily eat can work in certain circumstances. Cheese Whiz on a Philly is one example. And I have to say, one of the best meals I ever had was grilled Spam and pineapple. Granted, the fact that we were out on a deserted beach in Hawaii might have had something to do with my enjoyment of it...

Black pudding is win.

Except you can make a sandwich from a tomato. Bacon isn't quite substantial enough though.

Bzzt! Wrong!

Bacon sarnies are awesome. They're best with brown sauce and fried onions. And the bread should be fried too. Mmmm...

(And the black pudding out of the sandwich, not in it; it tends to get drowned out by the bacon and things otherwise.)
The "BLT" is a waste of perfectly good bacon, though. It just becomes this slightly salty crunchy salad sandwich. Pfft, rubbish.


This concept of "cheez whiz" upsets me. What's wrong with some mature cheddar or something? Y'know, actual cheese.

Good British food is an oxymoron.

Good British food is an oxymoron.

Bzzt! Wrong again.

Good British food is an oxymoron.

Oh, there is nothing better for a hangover than a traditional English breakfast. Love those things...

Bzzt! Wrong again.

Name good British food other than fish n' chips.

Good British food is an oxymoron.

To quote Bill Hicks in the UK: You don't boil pizza!

Cucumber sandwiches are my favourite. I'd use brown bread though.

Bzzt! Wrong!
Bacon sarnies are awesome. They're best with brown sauce and fried onions. And the bread should be fried too. Mmmm...
Bzzt, wrong!

I didn't say they wern't good. I said they were insubstantial.
http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2004/04/07

This concept of "cheez whiz" upsets me. What's wrong with some mature cheddar or something? Y'know, actual cheese.
You can't beat Cheez Whiz on crackers.

Name good British food other than fish n' chips.

Cornish pasties (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cornish_pasty) are quite tasty.

Good British food is an oxymoron.

It aint ya know. I mean, steak and kidney pudding mashed potato and gravy! Yummy!

Name good British food other than fish n' chips.

Heh Curry!

To quote Bill Hicks in the UK: You don't boil pizza!

who the hell boils pizza? :confused:

Name good British food other than fish n' chips.

Roast beef and yorkshire pudding.
Toad in the hole.
Lancashire hotpot.
Shepherd's/Cottage pie.
Black pudding.
White pudding.
Haggis.
Bacon sarnies.
Full English Breakfast.
Curry (although that's kinda Anglo-Indian really, and not to be confused with authentic Indian food).
Cornish pasties.
Pork pie.
Scotch pie.
Scotch eggs (from London, not Scotland).
Any number of pies, puddings, casseroles, stews and suchlike. With optional dumplings.
Anything you might get in a chippie.
Brown sauce.
Cream Tea.

...And there are plenty that I've forgotten about, I'm sure.

Edit: Oh, of course!
Various cheeses (Cheddar, Wensleydale, Red Leicester, Stilton, etc.).
Picalilli.
English Mustard.

And plenty more have fallen from my addled brain, no doubt.

I like this thread. I've been wondering about those mythical cucumber sandwiches for years. Never quite knew what exactly was on them (not much smarter after reading the thread, seeing how people aren't exactly agreeing). I'd probably like them, slug-belly or not.
Can't imagine them with tea, of all things. But then I'm not British.

I can only say Scotch Egg sounds worth eating out of all of those, and that's because I'm from the south US and amazed that we don't already have them.

Roast beef and yorkshire pudding.
Toad in the hole.
Lancashire hotpot.
Shepherd's/Cottage pie.
Black pudding.
White pudding.
Haggis.
Bacon sarnies.
Full English Breakfast.
Curry (although that's kinda Anglo-Indian really, and not really to be confused with authentic Indian food).
Cornish pasties.
Pork pie.
Scotch pie.
Scotch eggs (from London, not Scotland).
Any number of pies, puddings, casseroles, stews and suchlike. With optional dumplings.
Anything you might get in a chippie.
Brown sauce.
Cream Tea.

...And there are plenty that I've forgotten about, I'm sure.

most of which i rarely eat, bar fish n chips and the occasional english breakfast. and most of them are artery-cloggingly unhealthy :p
if anglocised curry counts then i have that more than anything in that list. roast chicken should count as british, maybe?

i eat far more italian food than anything else. always have. maybe i should go live in italy :p

Roast beef and yorkshire pudding.
Toad in the hole.
Lancashire hotpot.
Shepherd's/Cottage pie.
Black pudding.
White pudding.
Haggis.
Bacon sarnies.
Full English Breakfast.
Curry (although that's kinda Anglo-Indian really, and not really to be confused with authentic Indian food).
Cornish pasties.
Pork pie.
Scotch pie.
Scotch eggs (from London, not Scotland).
Any number of pies, puddings, casseroles, stews and suchlike. With optional dumplings.
Anything you might get in a chippie.
Brown sauce.
Cream Tea.

...And there are plenty that I've forgotten about, I'm sure.

nearly all of those are several kinds of yummy. except white pudding which is rubbish, and i'm not a huge fan of scoth egg. red pudding is supposed to be good but as far as i'm aware it's only available in fife. and worcester sauce is awesome too, makes pretty much anything taste better.

Roast beef and yorkshire pudding.
Toad in the hole.
Lancashire hotpot.
Shepherd's/Cottage pie.
Black pudding.
White pudding.
Haggis.
Bacon sarnies.
Full English Breakfast.
Curry (although that's kinda Anglo-Indian really, and not really to be confused with authentic Indian food).
Cornish pasties.
Pork pie.
Scotch pie.
Scotch eggs (from London, not Scotland).
Any number of pies, puddings, casseroles, stews and suchlike. With optional dumplings.
Anything you might get in a chippie.
Brown sauce.
Cream Tea.

...And there are plenty that I've forgotten about, I'm sure.

Yum. I don't care much for black pudding (at least not the way it comes here, but I guess that's mainly because of the special spices used in it) but the rest sounds excellent.

Oh, and I hate lamb. So strike all the ones that have lamb (mutton? What's it called in English?) in them.

You hate lamb?

Yet another thing we don't have in common.

Because is it even possible to screw up Italian food? It's all roughly the same stuff, but not the same way that Mexican food is all the same stuff. And it is all consistently good.

Oh, and I hate lamb. So strike all the ones that have lamb (mutton? What's it called in English?) in them.

Lancashire hotpot and Shepherd's (but not Cottage) pie out of the window, then, but there's still plenty left. It's "lamb" for young sheeps and "mutton" for old sheeps.

Yum. I don't care much for black pudding (at least not the way it comes here, but I guess that's mainly because of the special spices used in it) but the rest sounds excellent.

Oh, and I hate lamb. So strike all the ones that have lamb (mutton? What's it called in English?) in them.

Heh lamb is called lamb over here and mutton is sheep.

Lancashire hotpot and Shepherd's (but not Cottage) pie out of the window, then, but there's still plenty left. It's "lamb" for young sheeps and "mutton" for old sheeps.

As are kebabs!

You haven't lived till you've tried Haggis and Oat cakes. ;)

You hate lamb?

Yet another thing we don't have in common.
Aww, sweetie, think about it - more left for you! :fluffle::p

Lancashire hotpot and Shepherd's (but not Cottage) pie out of the window, then, but there's still plenty left. It's "lamb" for young sheeps and "mutton" for old sheeps.Sheeps? :p

I am finding it hard to belive that brown sauce gets a mention while Salad Cream gets left out!!!

Salad cream wasn't mentioned because I forgot about it (and don't eat it much; I like it, but mayonnaise is more general-purpose) ;)

Sheeps? :p

Aye, sheeps. Meaty clouds that go "baa". :p

Japanese and Indian curry is soooooooo much vastly superior.

Meaty clouds that go "baa". :p :p Nice.

Also, just when I was about to use "chickens" to make more fun of you I learned that chickens is actually correct. Damn. <<

Japanese and Indian curry is soooooooo much vastly superior.

Is that the best you can do after that list? The most tenuous item on it isn't as good, in your opinion, as its influences? Well pah :p

:p Nice.

Also, just when I was about to use "chickens" to make more fun of you I learned that chickens is actually correct. Damn. <<

I can't think of any other livestock off the top of my head where the singular and plural is the same, I'm afraid. You could do some punning with "bullocks" though? ;)

I can't think of any other livestock off the top of my head where the singular and plural is the same, I'm afraid. You could do some punning with "bullocks" though? ;)

I always thought 1 sheep, 2 sheep was correct? What about Moose?, or Deer for that matter?

I always thought 1 sheep, 2 sheep was correct?
It is. Sheeps exist only in CD's dreams of meaty clouds. ;p

What about Moose?, or Deer for that matter?
According to wiki, sheep, deer, moose and swine are the only animal ones. And fish, but fish has exceptions, so not really.

I can't think of any other livestock off the top of my head where the singular and plural is the same, I'm afraid. You could do some punning with "bullocks" though? ;)Cattle.:p

Is that the best you can do after that list? The most tenuous item on it isn't as good, in your opinion, as its influences? Well pah :p

Well if you want to know the truth, the only good item on that list is the Shepherd's pie.

And correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't that an Irish creation?

It is. Sheeps exist only in CD's dreams of meaty clouds. ;p


According to wiki, sheep, deer, moose and swine are the only animal ones. And fish, but fish has exceptions, so not really.

Man I love being right! Now where's my wife?:D

Well if you want to know the truth, the only good item on that list is the Shepherd's pie.

And correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't that an Irish creation?

you will stand corrected

Cattle.:p
One cattle, two cattle, three cattle... :p

Still, I did say "off the top of my head" which is pretty vacuous at the best of times. As demonstrated by Peepelonia WYTYG suggesting several others.

Well if you want to know the truth, the only good item on that list is the Shepherd's pie.

And correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't that an Irish creation?
No, you're thinking of Irish Stew which is quite different.

Incidentally you have no taste :p

Man I love being right! Now where's my wife?:D
:p

except white pudding which is rubbish,

I've had white pudding that was nothingy, and white pudding that was superb. So it may pay you to get some from another source. Some kinds claim to be Irish, some Scottish. I prefer the Irish style ones.

What about other British food - like brown sauce, watercress sandwiches, clotted cream, lemon curd? I've tried some of them (I've been unable to find brown sauce in the States) and been unimpressed. On the other hand, I love fish and chips, Yorkshire pudding and good roast beef. Is it something in the American ingredients or in the way I put them together?
Brown sauce is awesome-tastic. Goes with anything, I swear. Or by itself.

I've had white pudding that was nothingy, and white pudding that was superb. So it may pay you to get some from another source. Some kinds claim to be Irish, some Scottish. I prefer the Irish style ones.

to be fair i've only had it once from the nearest chippy. i didn't know there was different kinds, i shall have to search some other stuff out sometime.

When stuff is described by its color instead of its flavor, I start to question things.

When stuff is described by its color instead of its flavor, I start to question things.

what sort of things?

When stuff is described by its color instead of its flavor, I start to question things.
If you're implying brown sauce is an abomination then I vehemently disagree, sah! HP sauce is one of the seven wonders of the modern world, the very pinnacle of sauce-kind!

If you're implying brown sauce is an abomination then I vehemently disagree, sah! HP sauce is one of the seven wonders of the modern world, the very pinnacle of sauce-kind!
Pfft, HP is a sub-standard sauce compared to Tiptree's finest. I do actually eat it by itself.

Pfft, HP is a sub-standard sauce compared to Tiptree's finest. I do actually eat it by itself.
Damnit Stalin, always one step ahead! :mad:

Damnit Stalin, always one step ahead! :mad:
Mwahaha! :p

Seriously, though, Tiptree brown sauce. Get some.

You can't beat English chips from an English chip shop.. you don't get that same taste anywhere else.

Japanese and Indian curry is soooooooo much vastly superior.

I blame Indian Curry for the fall of the British Empire.

The desire to control the spice trade drove British imperialism from it's humble beginning as a few merchants trying to play catch-up with Portugal to the greatest Imperial power of the pre-war world.

Once they realized that they would still be awash in excellent Indian Restaurants, no one saw the need to continue investing in an empire. Afterall, does spice get any better than Indian food?

You can't beat English chips from an English chip shop.. you don't get that same taste anywhere else.
Find a chippy that still uses beef dripping instead of vegetable oil - fucking bliss followed by an MI. Tis grand, I tell thee.

Tiptree Jam..... awesome as fuck. And I've got drunk on the premises at night:D

Other than that; brown sauce is unbelievably good, as are chip shop chips, lemon curd.

Roast beef and yorkshire pudding.
Toad in the hole.
Lancashire hotpot.
Shepherd's/Cottage pie.
Black pudding.
White pudding.
Haggis.
Bacon sarnies.
Full English Breakfast.
Curry (although that's kinda Anglo-Indian really, and not to be confused with authentic Indian food).
Cornish pasties.
Pork pie.
Scotch pie.
Scotch eggs (from London, not Scotland).
Any number of pies, puddings, casseroles, stews and suchlike. With optional dumplings.
Anything you might get in a chippie.
Brown sauce.
Cream Tea.

...And there are plenty that I've forgotten about, I'm sure.

Edit: Oh, of course!
Various cheeses (Cheddar, Wensleydale, Red Leicester, Stilton, etc.).
Picalilli.
English Mustard.

And plenty more have fallen from my addled brain, no doubt.

I'm going to have to stop you there. I can stomach most types of greasy, fatty, gristly pastry products, but I'm not sure I've ever been able to work my way through a whole scotch pie before my brain and stomach rebelled.

I have had cucumber propers, (which is the correct term for the little teeny cucumber sandwiches with the crust cut off) in Queen Victoria's Orangery accompanied by a glass or two of Champagne and some Victoria sponge cake. It was very civilised indeed.

I am also a fan of a good cream tea, (except I don't like tea and always have coffee instead) But a good fruit scone and some lovely clotted cream and strawberry conserve take a lot of beating as an afternoon treat on a balmy summers day under the apple tree in the meadow....

:D

This has inspired me to make a cucumber sandwich. I have tonnes of cucumbers ready in the garden to use up.

Whole wheat bread. Salt and pepper. A hint of mayo. Cucumbers...bliss.

I'm going to have to stop you there. I can stomach most types of greasy, fatty, gristly pastry products, but I'm not sure I've ever been able to work my way through a whole scotch pie before my brain and stomach rebelled.

Southerner.

what sort of things?
Inherent edibility.

And whether it is made of people.

Southerner.
Northerner actually, but I draw the line at Scotch pies. They have no redeeming qualities whatsoever.

Since when was Cucumber Sandwiches a British delicacy?

Since when was Cucumber Sandwiches a British delicacy?

Since they don't have any other food worth mentioning. Known for their culinary skills the Brits are not.

Northerner actually, but I draw the line at Scotch pies. They have no redeeming qualities whatsoever.

you haven't been eating the right ones then.

Since when was Cucumber Sandwiches a British delicacy?

i'd hardly call them a delicacy. more like a staple for posh nobs' finger buffets.

Since when was Cucumber Sandwiches a British delicacy?

High tea?

What would a British delicacy be? Delicacy connotes delicate, and greasy meat swimming in brown sauce is hardly that.

and other British "delicacies."

I was watching The Importance of Being Ernest the other day and at some point in the show, they were talking about cucumber sandwiches and how wonderful they were. So I tried making some. I used white bread (cutting the crusts off), Irish butter and cucumbers sliced thin. They were indifferent. I can't imagine anyone polishing off a whole tray of them as the person in the show did. Did I leave something out?
Soak the cucumber in vinegar with salt and pepper.

They are tasty that way!!

Soak the cucumber in vinegar with salt and pepper.

They are tasty that way!!
As pickles?

You know, I just want to state for the record that it is refreshing in the extreme not to have a bunch of Brits jumping down my throat for making a disparaging comment about them, unlike many yanks here who are so hellbent on protecting the honour of their image or something.

Cucumber sandwich? Is that like Pickle Surprise (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MzOpjBOzMqA)?

You know, I just want to state for the record that it is refreshing in the extreme not to have a bunch of Brits jumping down my throat for making a disparaging comment about them, unlike many yanks here who are so hellbent on protecting the honour of their image or something.

Whatever, you America-hater. You just hate us for our freedoms.

And our very large sausages.

You know, I just want to state for the record that it is refreshing in the extreme not to have a bunch of Brits jumping down my throat for making a disparaging comment about them, unlike many yanks here who are so hellbent on protecting the honour of their image or something.
:)
We're confident enough in our inherent superiority to laugh it off.
EDIT: the English breakfast is a work of artery-clogging art.

As pickles?
No, not as pickles. Slice the cucumber and soak it in vinegar, salt and pepper in the fridge for about a half an hour and then add the slices to your favourite buttered bread.

Another tasty sandwich:

Kraft peanut butter, Canadian cheddar cheese, and strawberry jam. :-)

:)
We're confident enough in our inherent superiority to laugh it off.
EDIT: the English breakfast is a work of artery-clogging art.

Correction; artery choking, hangover curing art.

Bloody hell I do love a full English. I'll miss them at university in my penury:(

And our very large sausages.

Now those I love.

Cucumber sandwich? Is that like Pickle Surprise (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MzOpjBOzMqA)?
Too funny!!

Whatever, you America-hater. You just hate us for our freedoms.

And our very large sausages.
Germans have larger sausages then you Yanks and Italians have bigger salamis!! :p

What would a British delicacy be? Delicacy connotes delicate, and greasy meat swimming in brown sauce is hardly that.

dunno, i'll have a think on it. but to me, as well as being delicate, a delicacy has to at least be interesting. cucumber sandwiches have to be the most boring food anyone ever thought of.

dunno, i'll have a think on it. but to me, as well as being delicate, a delicacy has to at least be interesting. cucumber sandwiches have to be the most boring food anyone ever thought of.

SMASH mashed potato beats that.

SMASH mashed potato beats that.

i don't think that has even any claim to delicacy status. surely nothing mass produced with a brand name and all can be considered a national dish.

i know there is food that is produced in britain that is delicate, but i have a sneaking suspicion it's all nicked from foreigners. a proper haggis can be delcately flavoured though i doubt you can get proper haggi outside of scotland, so everyone else just experiences the stodgy nastiness that gets peddled by the supermarkets.

on a side note i have to say, it can only be on NSG that a thread about cucumber sandwiches can stretch to 7 pages without sign of dying out. this gives me a strange feeling inside, like warm and fuzzy but with a trace of doubt.

i don't think that has even any claim to delicacy status. surely nothing mass produced with a brand name and all can be considered a national dish.

i know there is food that is produced in britain that is delicate, but i have a sneaking suspicion it's all nicked from foreigners. a proper haggis can be delcately flavoured though i doubt you can get proper haggi outside of scotland, so everyone else just experiences the stodgy nastiness that gets peddled by the supermarkets.

I've never tried haggis, though I suspected as much. Incidentally, haggi is an awesome word:p

Where did cucumbers come from in the first place - surely they're not indigenous to Britain...or are they?

*consults the great wisdom if Wiki*

Behold mortals...Wiki speaks!

Earliest cultivation

The cucumber is believed to be native to India, and evidence indicates that it has been cultivated in Western Asia for 3,000 years. The cucumber is also listed among the products of ancient Ur and the legend of Gilgamesh describes people eating cucumbers. Some sources also state that it was produced in ancient Thrace, and it is certainly part of modern cuisine in Bulgaria and Turkey, parts of which make up that ancient state. From India, it spread to Greece (where it was called "vilwos") and Italy (where the Romans were especially fond of the crop), and later into China.

I've never tried haggis, though I suspected as much. Incidentally, haggi is an awesome word:p

isn't it just?!

well while you're in york be sure to make a foray across the border and try some proper haggis, with neeps and tatties of course. also a woman i met in a pub recently told me she serves the dish with whisky sauce (white sauce mixed with malt whisky) which i must try because it sounds fantastic.

isn't it just?!

well while you're in york be sure to make a foray across the border and try some proper haggis, with neeps and tatties of course. also a woman i met in a pub recently told me she serves the dish with whisky sauce (white sauce mixed with malt whisky) which i must try because it sounds fantastic.

Neeps and Tatties? Thank fuck I'm a southerner....:D

Whisky sauce sounds a hoot though. Incidentally, I found the best beer ever today; Desperados. I you haven't tried it, I advise you to do so. It's beer with a dash of Tequila, and smooth as.

Neeps and Tatties? Thank fuck I'm a southerner....:D

Whisky sauce sounds a hoot though. Incidentally, I found the best beer ever today; Desperados. I you haven't tried it, I advise you to do so. It's beer with a dash of Tequila, and smooth as.

Neeps and tatties, loverly, and whisky sauce better still. As to the best beer.

Well I would recomend Youngs chocolate stout, or Dragon stout from Jamacia.

isn't it just?!

well while you're in york be sure to make a foray across the border and try some proper haggis, with neeps and tatties of course. also a woman i met in a pub recently told me she serves the dish with whisky sauce (white sauce mixed with malt whisky) which i must try because it sounds fantastic.

I think they do some proper ones in Corby, what with it having a significant Scottish population. If the (better) ones in the supermarket don't pass muster I'm sure the butchers would hook you up with a goodun (but I'm still in a bad mood with the one in the town centre; bastard said he'd have oxtail on a Saturday a year or so ago and he didn't :mad:).

I like it with brown sauce though... (That sound you hear is Rabbie Burns spinning in his grave :p )

And Scotch Eggs are a delicacy. *Nods*

Cucumber sandwiches are nice, but only if you have some type of sauce or spread on them. My favourite is to have them with very soft cheese spread on the bred.My step-mother always used cream cheese. I loved them. And can polish off quite a few.

My step-mother also taught me to enjoy French movies with subtitles and how to get a stranger to buy my a glass of wine. Helped me make the most of my teen years.

My step-mother always used cream cheese. I loved them. And can polish off quite a few.

My step-mother also taught me to enjoy French movies with subtitles and how to get a stranger to buy my a glass of wine. Helped me make the most of my teen years.

Man it's easy to get a stranger to buy you a glass of wine. Be born a female!