uk food: the campaign for real ale
One of my favorite (or "favourite" for the proper speakers out there) bits about the UK is that they've rediscovered their craft beers again. In most cities and towns, you can find at least one pub serving a real, hand-pumped, room-temperature ale. And this is good stuff, the multiple flavors and textures coming out due to the fact that the beer isn't so cold that it freezes your taste buds, yet is still quite refreshing.
And this movement can be traced, in large part, to the work of CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale. As well as ale, the Campaign seeks to preserve the best in beer culture, including pubs that have historical significance. This group works tirelessly to celebrate some of the best in British, Welsh and Scottish liquid fare.
If you ever go to the UK, look for CAMRA's telltale logo in a pub's window - if it's there, you can be assured that a hoppy treat lurks inside.
things to like about british cooking
Recently, Kirstin and I went to England and Wales. We always have fun there, and always marvel in how good British cooking actually is. Yes, some of the old standards are heavy on the creams and fat and low on taste, but some of it is truly marvelous.
As they say, you can scoff at British cooking, but you shouldn't forget that essential beers (bitter ales), cheeses (Cheddar, Stilton, Wensleydale), sauces (Worcestershire), and baked goods (Sally Lunn buns, pasties, scones) are part of the lexicon thanks to the Brits.
So with that, a couple of great websites:
The Great British Kitchen - a one-stop for British recipes
eggbaconchipsandbeans - a tribute to the English fry-up