The ***OFFICIAL*** Weekend Singles' Thread US/British food and confectionery (October 13-15, 2006)

13th October 2006 | Snugs

[snugs]

Winston Churchill famously said that American and Britain were 2 countries divided by a common language nor more so is this true than when it comes to food. We can eat the same sort of things but at completely different times of the day and serve it with completely different type of food.

A dessert in Britain is often looked upon as a breakfast dish in America.

American cookies are similar to British biscuits, American biscuits are similar to British sconces.

What is called a grill in England is a broiler in America.

A stove is a cooker and a cook book is a cookery book in England.

I thought it might be interesting to look at foods and confectionery that are identified with both countries, where they overlap, where they are different and personal tastes and traditions that have over the years shaped what we eat and when.

I posed the following questions to some American freepers and the following graphics reflect their answers.

1) What would you consider to be typical English food
2) What would you consider to be a typical English meal
3) What sweets (candies) do you identify with England

4) What would you consider to be typical American food
5) Would you consider to be a typical American meal
6) What candies do you consider are American

I have also compiled graphics from an English point of view regarding the above points.

Come and take a look at the food remember favourites from yesteryear and add your own thoughts and tastes. Lets make this an interesting, fun thread full of great memories of the past and present and that friendly homely feeling that familiar food conquers up. The memories and warm feelings of giving and sharing with the festivities that go with it or simply the pleasure of well cooked meal at the end of a busy and tiring day.

Food is also associated with different seasons and events such as Easter, Thanksgiving (US) Bonfire Night (UK) Christmas, New Year and of course birthdays and family traditions.

These events for singles can be fun time when they get drawn into a larger group plus made to feel part of a family but on the other hand often it can be the reverse. Christmas, New Year and Easter and of course for Americans Thanksgiving can be very lonely times for singles not fitting into any particular group and also sad for those who in the past have been part of family groups at these particular times of the year.

Below are Dolly's thoughts on this very point

[snugs]

I have noticed the candy thing with Americans when I talk about our chocolate bars so many of them say they like them and in fact prefer them to the American ones.

I am surprised that seeing how popular they are that they are not imported on a larger scale which would bring the prices down.

Maybe though this would cause problems with your local manufacturers so the small scale import is probably the way to go.

[Churchillspirit]

Pate as a starter on a restaurant menu is almost nonexistent here. I do miss it.

However the salad bar in most restaurants is worth a visit. (The salad being eaten before the entree.)

[radiohead]

very cheap cuts of meat and cheap burgers.

Yeah - student priced meals!

There was a 'high street' that had vendors of all types, including those who sold meat.

Re the bees around the pastry shops - everything has to be so clean here and w/air conditioning, etc. there is little opportunity for bees to get into the shop and while sometimes a fly or something does get in, I think most people would be put off by bees!

I remember being concerned that there was no screen on my window in the dorm. I realized soon enough that no one had them, but it struck me as dirty and leaving myself open to all kinds of stuff flying in the window. I lived in Oklahamoa for a year - trust me, where they have flies the size of VW beetles. You need screens!

I'm pretty sure it was the student cafeteria - we were all eating lunch! : ) The puritan in me was shocked to see students drinking (plus, our age for drinking is higher than in Europe, so seeing young people drinking in public was surprising). I thought everyone would go back to class drunk!

Oh yeah, the dorm served a lot of lamb. To this day, unless it's a gyro, I don't want any lamb.

[Churchillspirit]

For several years I lived out of a suitcase - living in hotels through the week. Three course dinners every night. Couldn't wait to get back to my flat (apartment) in London for weekend dinners - baked beans on toast!

[Churchillspirit]

Yes, forgot to mention the crackers.

In the UK I like Jacobs Assorted. In the US, Pepperidge Farm made a great assortment.

[snugs]

It is strange how tastes are different I absolutely love lamb but it is too expensive to eat everyday. I have roast lamb once or twice a month.

I also give dad lamb chops probably once a week, I love lamb with mint sauce though I understand Americans prefer mint jelly. I used to like that when I was younger but now I think that it would be a bit sweet. Mint jelly also seemed more popular when I was younger now most people eat mint sauce.

[snugs]

I was surprised when I visited the States that in most places you had to be over 21 to drink, cannot imagine that in Britain.

[snugs]

I have a packet of Jacob assorted in the cupboard I bought them for Christmas whether they survive till then is debatable.

[A knight without armor]

I like the idea of cheese for dessert. I'd like to be in a situation where I could try several different cheeses. Buying them by the hunk in the store is so expensive. Why is cheese so expensive? It is more expensive than meat. One aspect of cheese dessert I've had in my life is when I was a kid once in a rare while if you were served a slice of apple pie someone would ask if you want a piece of cheddar cheese with that. Cheddar cheese seems to go with apple pie very well.

By the way along with what I consideration the ruination of muffins is the way cheesecake is now super common. Funny how you don't note things until they are past but I remember when cheesecake was CHEESECAKE! Oh my gosh, it was a rich special treat and soooo delicious. It was pretty rare for somebody to have one homemade so you'd get a slice at parties or a nice restaurant. There was the Sara Lee frozen cheesecake which is still good. But it seems to me that cheesecake is now everywhere all the time and not as rich. Or is this a case of familiarity breeds contempt on my part?

[snugs]

I think you are right about cheesecake what we get nowadays is not the real thing even Sara Lee is not as good as it was.

I love homemade cheesecake a friend of mine makes a wonderful marmalade one and also one that has brandy in it.

I do not think cheese is as expensive in Britain as it is in the States maybe because more of yours is imported from further distances. We import a lot from Europe but obviously that is nearer to Britain than the US is.

We always have a cheese selection in our stores at Christmas so you can buy small amount of different cheeses to try. They also come in presentation boxes with Port Wine especially stilton.

[rzeznikj at stout]

Especially if you're in Chicago.

IIRC, it is now illegal to sell or possess pate or foie gras within the Chicago city limits (which is about 3/4 of Cook Co.) The reason? Animal-rights whackos won out.

Now they're turning all their attention 90 miles north--they're trying to get the same thimg passed in Milwaukee. (rolls eyes)

[rzeznikj at stout]

Hey all!!

How's DC?

[A knight without armor]

I hate to ask this question in front of the world, it is so dumb but here goes. Does it snow and freeze in England? One of the things I remember about fiction is the story of the little match girl and I think she was selling matches in the snow falling in London. Know what I mean? Yet in real life I don't picture it. I don't ever remember seeing Princess Diana in the snow unless it was skiing in another country.

[DCPatriot]

What a terrific thread.

Saved as a favorite.

Cable erratic and we're slow as dialup.

[DollyCali]

well hope you can slow down enough to enjoy Fall.. busy, busy, busy !

[DollyCali]

Hi there.. am back.. great/cool/cold/freezing game..

Have tried to find some info on the young man injured in game last night. No avial. I guess NO news is good news at this point.

Lots of good stuff you are sharing Eleanor.. will be pinging my personal lists tomorrow AM when I post the devotional "note"...

I also will hopefully have some time in afternoon to more tnoroughly digest all. and maybe read the comments without time pressure if I get up early enough tomorrow

Tomorrow right from church going to a Bently/Rolls Royce social.. My friend has a couple & so we will ride in "vintage" style.. BUT THE PUPS WONT

Will share some pix on tomorrow's night thread.

[rzeznikj at stout]

howdy dolly...

[radiohead]

I forgot - tomatoes for breakfast! Wassup with that?? I have tried it a few times to get rid of ailing tomatoes and because I know the English do it, but I don't think Americans have taken to it. It wouldn't have occurred to me if I hadn't seen it in movies.

[snugs]

Yes it does snow in England here are some photos of my house/garden with snow.

[DollyCali]

Hi there sweeitie! Hope your weekend is going decently. Did you work today? I need to crash. I am falling asleep at the computer!