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Food Glorious Food

  • timpounder
  • Jul 18, 2024
  • 3 min read


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During the 1940s, the British diet was significantly different from what it is today. Even after the war ended, food shortages persisted, and rationing continued. As a result, meals often consisted of more unconventional ingredients. Below are some traditional British recipes that feature offal and less common cuts of meat such as pig's trotters, heart, brawn, kidneys, and tripe.


1. **Pig's Trotters Stew**

A hearty and flavorful stew made with pig's trotters.


**Ingredients:**

- 4 pig's trotters, cleaned and split

- 2 onions, chopped

- 2 carrots, chopped

- 2 celery sticks, chopped

- 1 bay leaf

- 1 tablespoon flour

- 4 cups beef stock

- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

- Salt and pepper to taste


**Instructions:**

1. Heat the oil in a large pot and brown the pig's trotters on all sides.

2. Remove the trotters and set aside. In the same pot, cook the onions, carrots, and celery until softened.

3. Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables and stir to coat.

4. Return the trotters to the pot and add the beef stock and bay leaf.

5. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 2-3 hours, until the trotters are tender.

6. Season with salt and pepper before serving.


2. **Stuffed Heart**

A delicious and economical dish using lamb or beef heart.


**Ingredients:**

- 1 lamb or beef heart

- 1 cup breadcrumbs

- 1 onion, finely chopped

- 1 clove garlic, minced

- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley

- 1 egg, beaten

- Salt and pepper to taste

- 1 cup beef stock


**Instructions:**

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).

2. In a bowl, mix the breadcrumbs, onion, garlic, parsley, beaten egg, salt, and pepper to make the stuffing.

3. Clean the heart and fill the cavity with the stuffing.

4. Place the heart in a baking dish and add the beef stock.

5. Cover with foil and bake for 1.5-2 hours, until the heart is tender.

6. Slice and serve with the cooking juices.


3. **Brawn (Head Cheese)**

A traditional dish made from boiled pig's head.


**Ingredients:**

- 1 pig's head, cleaned and split

- 2 onions, quartered

- 2 carrots, chopped

- 2 bay leaves

- 1 tablespoon black peppercorns

- Salt to taste

- 1 cup white vinegar


**Instructions:**

1. Place the pig's head in a large pot and cover with water.

2. Add the onions, carrots, bay leaves, peppercorns, and salt.

3. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 3-4 hours, until the meat is tender and falling off the bone.

4. Remove the head from the pot and let it cool slightly. Remove all the meat and chop finely.

5. Strain the cooking liquid and return to the pot. Add the vinegar and bring to a boil, then simmer until reduced by half.

6. Mix the chopped meat with the reduced liquid and pour into a mold or loaf tin.

7. Refrigerate until set, then slice and serve cold.


4. **Devilled Kidneys**

A spicy and flavorful dish made with lamb kidneys.


**Ingredients:**

- 8 lamb kidneys, cleaned and halved

- 1 onion, finely chopped

- 1 clove garlic, minced

- 1 tablespoon flour

- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

- 1 teaspoon mustard powder

- 1 teaspoon paprika

- 1 cup beef stock

- 2 tablespoons butter

- Salt and pepper to taste


**Instructions:**

1. Heat the butter in a pan and cook the onion and garlic until softened.

2. Add the kidneys and cook until browned.

3. Sprinkle the flour, mustard powder, and paprika over the kidneys and stir to coat.

4. Add the Worcestershire sauce and beef stock, and simmer until the sauce has thickened.

5. Season with salt and pepper before serving.


5. **Tripe and Onions**

A traditional dish using beef tripe.


**Ingredients:**

- 1 lb beef tripe, cleaned and cut into strips

- 2 onions, sliced

- 2 tablespoons butter

- 1 tablespoon flour

- 1 cup milk

- 1 cup beef stock

- Salt and pepper to taste


**Instructions:**

1. Pre-cook the tripe by boiling it in salted water for 1-2 hours, until tender. Drain and set aside.

2. In a pan, melt the butter and cook the onions until softened.

3. Sprinkle the flour over the onions and stir to coat.

4. Gradually add the milk and beef stock, stirring constantly until the sauce thickens.

5. Add the pre-cooked tripe to the sauce and simmer for 20-30 minutes.

6. Season with salt and pepper before serving.


The recipes showcase the traditional British practice of using offal and uncommon meat cuts, maximizing the use of available ingredients and preventing any wastage.

 
 
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