Friday, June 13, 2008

We Interrupt this Blog with a News Flash...

Bangers & Mash

You might not have noticed but posts have been particularly sparse on the blog lately, and it partly has something to do with the little announcement that I am making on the blog today. The news flash, might be exciting for some, or not so much for others but either which way there are no doubt still many food possibilities that lie ahead on the blogging front. So don't worry, I'm not going to turn into a knitting blog or anything. Not that I dislike knitting blogs but it's just that I don't know how to knit, not even a sock puppet, or a scarf, so I say stick to what you know.

Well, eating is what I know, and food, especially those of the sugary persuasion will still be the focus of the blog, and really nothing will change except for my location. So let's see if you can guess where Milk and Cookies is headed to this August for two years? The clue is in this dish.

Bangers & Mash

Guessed it yet? I'm pretty sure this clue is a dead give away. So indeed, it's true, to the possible dismay of many Londoners, I am going to the land of the eternal pub crawl or at least I hope it is, and will be checking out what the city has to offer in terms of food.

Hey, maybe I'll run into Jamie Oliver at the Borough Markets and ask him why my banana and honey bread more resembled baseballs rather than bread rolls. But I'd much rather run into Rick Stein any day, I love how he's such and advocate for British food and produce no matter how much of a bad rap it gets. Too bad he won't have Chalky with him though, that dog was the shiz.

But there you have it, I'm on my way to the northern hemisphere, I'm doubtful about how it compares to its southern counterpart, but I guess it's home for a couple of years.

So I'm sure you don't need a recipe to make bangers and mash, but here's one for the onion gravy that I pinched from Jane and Jeremy Strode of Bistrode.

Onion Gravy
makes about one-half cup

Bangers & Mash

100g unsalted butter
1 tsp brown sugar
2 medium onions, sliced thinly
1 tsp red wine vinegar
200ml beef stock
sea salt
fresh cracked black pepper

Melt butter in a heavy-based saucepan over low heat.
Add sugar and onions.
Cook slowly until caramelised, about 30 minutes.
Add vinegar and cook for another five minutes.
Add stock and season with salt and pepper and simmer for 15 minutes until sauce has thickened.

45 comments:

ames said...

Ooh, how exciting. I hope you enjoy it!

Anonymous said...

London is a really great place to live. Vibrant and pulsing, you will never be bored. Although you might freeze to death as the sun rarely comes out. How long will you be there? Maybe you can run into one of my favs, Nigella, and ask her for some tips too :)

Anonymous said...

I have been reading your blog for a short time and it is nowadays inmy favourite<. Wellcome to Europe. Hope to meet you in France.And be happy, it's summertime.

Rosa's Yummy Yums said...

Wow, so great! I love British food!

Cheers,

Rosa

LizNoVeggieGirl said...

Sounds FABULOUS!!!

Meeta K. Wolff said...

Bangers and mash for the brits. You'll love London it's great. Jen if you ever can - come visit me in Germany I promise you the best bratwürst you've ever had! Nice to know you'll be moving a bit closer! YIPEE!

Alya said...

I ran into Rick Stein just last summer. Literally, ran into! He was crossing the street and I was running to catch a bus AND it was pouring rain! Too bad I couldnt stop and chat - he was on the phone anyway.

But at least I saw him.. And that's something for a foodie like me!

aforkfulofspaghetti said...

Welcome to our shores! It's a rather different gastronomic world from the southern hemisphere, true, but it's still got a great deal going for it.

Anonymous said...

Yay! Good for you, Jen.
If you ever get the chance to come up to Lincoln for the day, you could come into my place of work and have yourself a Cappuccino! Lol.

Gretchen Noelle said...

Two years?!? Can't wait to see the things you share from there!

BlondeJustice said...

Soooooo Jealous! :)

Angela said...

That's great news. I hope you enjoy your time in the UK. Try and make time to visit Scotland, you won't regret it :-)

Anonymous said...

love onion gravy - may try this this weekend. nice and simple. how exciting - i'm sure you'll have a wonderful time!

Anonymous said...

i looooove bangers and mash; literally the best hangover meal too. lovely. great photos!

Kalyn Denny said...

Very fun way to announce the move!

wheresmymind said...

Aww....no sock monkey friend for coco?? lol

read me... said...

YAY... how xciting for you!

OohLookBel said...

Wow, that's wonderful for you. Look forward to you being our palate and chronicler of all things Brit!

Anonymous said...

Good luck with this big move! Relocating is fun and challenging. Looking forward to more posts after you settled in a bit,

Alexandra

Anonymous said...

i will miss you, posting from sydney that is! yours is the only australian food blog i read. i hope you have a wonderful time, and manage to keep posting.
e in tassie

Helen (Grab Your Fork) said...

omg so jealous! am sure you will have an absolute ball. think of all those cheap easyjet fares too! and at least the Aussie dollar is so strong you won't be quite the pauper when you arrive :)

Barbara said...

Lucky you. Have fun.

Anonymous said...

I lived last year in London and my heart is still there ! you'll enjoy it a lot !

Katie said...

As soon as I saw the bangers and mash I knew you were coming to the UK. If you want to meet Rick Stein you need to head down to Padstow in Newquay where he has a restaurant, deli, cafe and fish and chip shop by the coast. Jamie Oliver has a restaurant near there too so maybe you could get two for the price of one!

Anonymous said...

you are oh-so-lucky to come living in London!! I'll sure be checking your blog very often to see some British recipe (and your picture with lovely Jamie!!)

Cannelle Et Vanille said...

good for you! how exciting! i can't wait to see how your style might be influenced by your new surroundings... i love pub food...

PhotoVentura said...

Oh lordy, I've only just discovered your amazingly beautiful site and you are leaving!!!

But it's a round world and the Web is a remarkably unifying force, so hopefully we will continue to see your beautiful photos and recipes winging their way from the shores of Great Britain?!

Thanks for all the effort and creativity you've been sharing so generously with your fellow primates.... I'm one happy monkey to be part of this community too!

Anonymous said...

great news jen jen... really exciting...hope the moe goes well and look forward to reading about your london adventures and thanks for the onion gravy recipe... was just thinking that I needed to make bangers and mash

Anonymous said...

London for 2 years?! How very exciting! Can't wait to read about your experiences.

liset said...

By accident I came on your site. Love it!!Water is running in my mouth with all these recipes. Definitly gonna try some of your recipes!! x

Inne said...

Wow, such exciting news Jen! Just prepare for lots of grey cloudy skies rather than the gorgeous Australian sunshine...

I just realised I never emailed you anymore after my trip to Oz last year (sorry) - I'm still living in London, let me know if you want to meet up when you get here.

Maria Pereira said...

I've been reading your blog for a few months...and I'm your fan! Love the pictures, the text and, of course, the recipes!! I'm now a baking lover and you are to blame. Good luck on your move and Welcome to Europe!

Joy said...

Great news! I guess things will be a bit topsy turvy for a while but I am sure you will enjoy London. There are so many great food markets, restaurants, cafes etc that you'll have plenty to eat and plenty to write about.

Get in touch if you want any tips.

Happy packing!

lululu said...

Gotta try such simple and delicious British dish!!!! Yummy!!!

jasmine said...

How exciting for you! I'm sure you'll have loads of fun.

j

Anonymous said...

London!? That's fantastic! What a perfect dish to celebrate!

Chibog in Chief said...

oh im literally drooling in front of my laptop!! this is so delicious!!

Anonymous said...

I agree with inne - "..... Just prepare for lots of grey cloudy skies rather than the gorgeous Australian sunshine..."
It's true that you would probably hate the weather as there might be no summer at all throughout each year!
Food wise, just less than 2 hours by Eurostar, you will reach the gastronomic world - France! There's a lot to learn and appreciate the French cuisine. I think this is one of the best things living in Europe.

Anonymous said...

london is a wonderful city - if you need help discovering its many foodie delights (and there are many!) get in touch!

Eva said...

Enjoy the new experiences in the UK - be it food or something else! I hope you'll be blogging about as many luscious desserts as ever!

Anonymous said...

excitement! and also jealously, i would love to live in london.

i don't love a lot of british food, but bangers and mash...yum.

Mari said...

Congratulations! It'll be exciting to have you on this side of the world!

Anonymous said...

I simply ♥love♥ your Blog and here there's a prize for you! Have a great rest of the week! ^_^

Danielle Bumblebee said...

congrats on ur move! i just got back from london n know u'll love it.. i can just imagine posts on homemade flapjacks n yummy turkish delights..

have a safe trip!

Anonymous said...

Wow british food i like it.My friend is living in Britain,Whenever he comes to India he makes British dishes and I like that dishes very much.
Thanks for remembering me the my loving dish.