Bush enjoys mushy pea lunch

BBC News ^ | Friday, 21 November, 2003 | BBC

[Aracelis]

George and Laura Bush swapped Buckingham Palace banquets for a slap-up fish dinner at Tony and Cherie Blair's local pub.

After feasting on the finest cuisine for the first two days of his state visit, the teetotal US president chose the fish, chips and mushy peas at the Dun Cow Inn in Sedgefield town centre.

The president had been "very friendly" and spoken to all the locals, landlady Mishy Rayner said.

"It is something he does not usually do - come into a pub, have a drink, relax and talk to people who are there," she told BBC News.

"He was lovely," Mrs Rayner said.

Her husband, Geoff, had looked "more stressed", she joked.

The Bushs and the Blairs chose the same meal from the pub's menu, starting with cream of potato and leek soup, followed by the fish.

President Bush had "seemed thrilled" with the "local produce", Mrs Rayner said.

He cleaned his plate but declined a pudding of lemon crème brulee.

The president had drunk a "wonderful" non-alcoholic lager, before volunteering to pose for a photograph with the staff and signing some of the pub's menus, Mr Rayner told BBC News.

"They were very very appreciative," he added.

The Blairs and Mrs Bush also sipped soft drinks.

Mr Blair is a "bit of a regular" at the Dun Cow, according to the Rayners.

Lionel Jospin had also had lunch at the the low-ceilinged, traditional pub when he was French prime minister, Mrs Rayner added.

But "there was a different standard of security" for Mr Bush's visit, she told BBC News.

It is not only world leaders who receive the red carpet treatment at the Dun Cow, though.

"We treat everybody with the same respect," Mr Rayner told BBC News.

Earlier on Saturday, in Trimdon Colliery, County Durham, the Blairs' next-door neighbours, Eddie and Petra Greaves, and their daughter, Gemma, had the distinction of becoming the first "ordinary" people to meet the president and first lady on their visit.

Neighbours on the other side were taking pictures and the president walked towards them, gave them a thumbs up and said: "Thanks for your hospitality."

[Aracelis]

For the curious epicurean, here's a recipe for Mushy Peas:

Helen's Bristish Cooking Site

[Maynerd]

Bush is a brave man. I love England but he cuisine sucks. I recommend sticking with the immigrant Indian and Turkish restaurants.

[Heatseeker]

I think it's getting better but it's still pretty bad. Other than fish-and-chips, go with a curry joint.

[cajungirl]

Our poor president, with all he has to do and go thru and now this.

[johnny7]

When I am presented with some foul food, I think back to a chef who ran our companies caffeteria.

On one particular day, he served Mousaka(?), a Greek dish. Upon seeing and smelling it I bellowed... “Marcel! How do you expect me to eat this f_cking sh_t!”

For some reason, he became vexed... go figure!

[cajungirl]

Moussaka is food for the gods. It is wonderful, you missed a treat!

[johnny7]

Moussaka is food for the gods.

Must be... cause it sure ain't fit for humans.

[trebb]

Thanks for the site - the fish and chips are one of my personal favorites...

[David Hunter]

What? This is great food! Would any of you like a side order of cheesy peas and pickled onions with your fish and chips? Mmmmmm. At least your president has great taste.

[Prodigal Son]

he served Mousaka

I love Mousaka.

[cajungirl]

I am scared to go look at the recipe for mushy peas,,it just scares me. I do like split pea soup if I dont smell it before I eat it. But moussaka is wonderful. And Baba ganoush,,can't spell it. I love that kind of food!!

[xp38]

I think these are some shots from the pub from the day in the life thread

[AnAmericanMother]

I'm sorry to say so, but English cooking is about the low point on the face of the globe. I've NEVER eaten such horrible food in my life. Nothing fresh, overcooked and mushy, overuse of fat, overfried when fried and at too low a temp so it absorbs too much grease, doughy heavy breads. They DO make nice desserts as long as you stay away from steamed or boiled puddings. I concur, stick to Chinese or Indian food whilst in England.

While we're on this subject, do you know the difference between Heaven and Hell?

In Heaven, the English are the police, the French are the cooks, the Swiss are the administrators, the Italians are the lovers, and the Germans are the automobile mechanics.

Whereas, in Hell, the English are the cooks, the French are the administrators, the Swiss are the lovers, the Italians are the automobile mechanics, and the Germans are the police.

[Republic]

We used to stay at a little Inn, in Maidenhead, just outside London, very near Windsor, run by an man from India, originally, and loved his tandoori chicken soooooooo much!

[AnAmericanMother]

To steal a line from "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" -

"Moose ca-ca? You're eating Moose ca-ca?"

Moussaka well prepared is not bad. But I prefer to cook my own (just like I do my own English peas and any beans-and-rice recipe) 'cause then I know it's done the way I like it!

[najida]

I am scared to go look at the recipe for mushy peas,,it just scares me. I do like split pea soup if I dont smell it before I eat it. But moussaka is wonderful. And Baba ganoush,,can't spell it. I love that kind of food!!

I was going to just have sandwiches for lunch, but this thread has made me want to fix mousaka!

[MinuteGal]

I have a British cousin who live in suburban London. He agrees with me that there is French cuisine, Italian cuisine and British cooking.

Leni

[July 4th]

What? This is great food!

I don't know about the pickled onions...but the fish & chips, and the mushy peas are fine by me!

In Wisconsin, we have something called a "fish fry," which is basically the same as fish & chips, except coleslaw is the preferred side dish.

[Prodigal Son]

I am scared to go look at the recipe for mushy peas

They sell it in the can here just like lima beans or early peas. Just looks like what we would've called English Peas mushed up with a fork.

[JesseHousman]

...president chose the fish, chips and mushy peas at the Dun Cow Inn...

It would have tasted a lot better had he washed it all down with a pint or two of Tetley's, Fullers, or Courage.