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Vegetarian Shepherd’s Pie is tradition English foods. Totoast the walnuts, spread them on a cookie sheet or in a metal pie pan. The tofu and walnuts provide protein. Bake at 350°F for five minutes, or until golden brown.
Lamb and beans the French way. To most Americans, accustomed to pork with their beans, lamb with white beans is an unusual combination. But it's an everyday meal to the French, particularly those from Brittany. The beans are cooked until tender, combined with garlic, onion, herbs and plum tomatoes, and then cooked again for several hours with the lamb. We like our roast lamb fairly well done, while the French prefer it pink. A meat thermometer is a great help in roasting it to just the right degree.
Carlings are dried peas, a traditional meal for Lent in Yorkshire. It’s said that whoever gets the last pea in the pot will be the first to get married.
Holidays and festivals in England are a time for families and friends to get together and enjoy a break from work or school. In many towns and villages, people take part in customs that have been around for centuries, whether it’s the colorful flash and lively beat of Morris dancing or the bonfire on Guy Fawkes Night.
Food often takes center stage during holiday celebrations. Perhaps the most famous holiday fare is Christmas pudding, a steamed dessert filled with dried fruits, such as plums and currants, and topped with a sweet sauce. At Easter, English cooks bake many types of sweets, such as hot cross buns or Easter biscuits. In Cornwall, an Easter specialty is bright yellow saffron buns, made with a spice that comes from the crocus flower.
