Harters
(John Hartley - a culinary patriot, cooking and eating in northwest England)
285
I think you’re probably right on the first count. I grew up in a time when few Britons travelled overseas for holidays - they’d be the relatively wealthy (which didnt include my family). It was really only in the 60s/ 70s that we started to be really exposed to “foreign” foods, as we travelled. That was also the time when there was significant asian immigration to the UK - both east asians (mainly through Hong Kong) and south asians (mainly Pakistanis). Both groups opened food outlets, as is the tendency of all immigrant groups.
I also agree with you that my personal tastes have changed. Born in 1950, my first years of eating were still in the time of postwar food rationing. That only added constraints on what, on reflection, was Mum’s limited cooking horizons. It’s probably fair to say that, at the time, “good food” in the UK was only “good” if it was French. That had changed by the 1970s and I started to enjoy other foreign foods, often quite highly spiced - that was a period when Britons really only went to an Indian restaurant, after the pubs had closed and you’d had much to much to drink.
However, my tastes have again changed in line with the developments in restaurants and in home cooking. I now have much more enjoyment about local seasonal produce and dishes with their roots in tradition. I’m sure that’s due to the “Modern British” chefs like Gary Rhodes who pioneered the new style of cooking.
Licking my wounds after the Bruins’ loss last night in Stanley Cup Game 7…Funny how I always find solace here on HO.
Spring onion grew up going to our local farm which is 5 minute bike ride down the street. We threw him a 4.5 year birthday party this past weekend at another local farm (Chip-In in Bedford for those Onions in the Boston area). Needless to say, he loves farms and going to the farm stand. Whether he eats the vegetables from the farm stand that’s another story.
I purchased a bunch of halibut from WF yesterday when I saw the sale. We threw it on the grill and ate it atop giant macaroni shells, dotted liberally with freshly made basil pesto. Side of broccolini sautéed with garlic and lemons. And as usual, I forgot to take a photo. But it was really good.
Poor man’s quiche! Cheap family dinner. Pretty tasty (a word I abhor!).
1 Like
ChristinaM
(Hungry in Asheville, NC (still plenty to offer tourists post Hurricane))
290
Great meal!
ChristinaM
(Hungry in Asheville, NC (still plenty to offer tourists post Hurricane))
291
Oh man, yum!
1 Like
ChristinaM
(Hungry in Asheville, NC (still plenty to offer tourists post Hurricane))
292
That looks fantastic
ChristinaM
(Hungry in Asheville, NC (still plenty to offer tourists post Hurricane))
293
Nice fridge dive!
1 Like
ChristinaM
(Hungry in Asheville, NC (still plenty to offer tourists post Hurricane))
294
Last night I made variations on Fuchsia Dunlop’s cumin beef, sweet and sour zucchini with carrots, and dry-fried green beans with ya cai. All served over cauli-brown rice.
I hate throwing away food. It still happens, but I try my best. My mom is a magician at transforming leftovers (probably because my dad is allergic to them, lol), so that’s always an inspiration
Your impossible pie brought back memories. I too thought it was bland back in the '80’s, so made a few adjustments & additions even then. They also had an Impossible taco pie which was great.
I even made the cheeseburger one a couple years ago, when a young niece was visiting.
So busy back in the day, raising kids and working full time, the quick recipes were a godsend, if not exactly healthy.
At full price at Boston area Whole Foods and at farmers markets, it’s $24/lb. I never make the trip to other vaunted fish markets in the area so that price may vary. On sale at Whole Foods this week, it was $17/lb.
