Archive | July, 2005

I wanted Fish and Chips, of course being a British staple food..

So we were pondering which chippy to get the meal from, the quality tends to fluctuate, we chose one near the middle of the city which has always been good..

So I suggested, seen as though it had stopped raining for a while and cleared up we should go and eat down by the river.

Turned out to be a good idea, apart from one idea, during the walk after dinner I lost my friggin camera case, it was expensive..and nice…and had a memory card in it! Oh well…at least I didn’t lose my camera.

Mom had the bright idea to bring a couple of bottles of beer…she looks so happy opening one, she does enjoy her drink though 😉

This r proper fish and chips in paper down by the river with a bottle of Carslberg Export, laced with salt and vinegar of course..

For me I have to have mushy peas too..but some people think they are disgusting.

You can’t beat that, crispy fish, squishy fresh chips and a cold bottle of beer!

After that we had a walk along the river past the cathedral and back up to where we parked.

It was a lovely evening.

There were swans everywhere, they are elegant creatures.

God bless Worcester.

I do take nice photos 😉

In UK there are a few things in every area, every few streets there is:

1) A Pub

2) A Fish and Chip Shop

3) A Convience Store

In most areas, the older ones there’s usually a flower shop, a grocers and a butcher too (an often a hairdresser).

So the next day we headed to Birmingham to meet my aunt for lunch, hit a classic brit pub called The Black Horse.

Normal city pub, most have the same menu and they don’t really have any proper country food, but a few things on the menu are usually decent.

Of course they have the number 1 dish in the UK on the menu (it’s on EVERY menu) and no it’s not fish and chips…

It’s….CHICKEN TIKKA MASALA!

The menu is pretty normal for a pub menu..

I went for the classic and hearty steak and ale pie.

Served with ample chips, peas and carrots smothered in gravy.

Followed by a large coffee and a hot chocolate fudge cake with real vanilla ice cream!

We went to my other aunts for dinner after that, so unfortunately no pictures..

But we had pasta anyway, so nothing typically british to take pictures of!

Managed a nice picture of their garden though before batteries totally died..

Got home and headed out with me homes for a game of pool…the typical British past time.

Pretty normal pastime for many people here, couple of pints, packet of crisps or a basket of chips and a few games of pool.

My buddy kicking my ass….I haven’t played for a long time.

We used to be pretty even…I did catch up in the end though, lost 7-5 I think..

And yeah we have proper pool tables, not those poncy american things 😛

So after some hardcore shopping we were pretty hungry, we headed home and sparked up some snacks and Gin and Tonic (How English I know..)

After that mom started up the cooking machine again, whipping up another one of my favourites! Chicken escalopes with potatoe wedges!

We used turkey this time though, take a couple of turkey breasts and slit them down the middle, fill them with cheese and thick ham..

Then take a couple of bowls, one with milk, one with breadcrumbs, dip the breast in the milk, then coat it in breadcrumbs..

Then shallow fry the badboys so the breadcrumbs stick on and they are golden brown, but not totally cooked.

While you are doing that toss some potatoes in olive oil, pepper and salt, then stick em in the microwave for 5-6 minutes.

After that put them on a baking tray and shove em in the oven.

After they are part cooked, put the escalopes in the oven on a baking tray to finish them off.

Stick them all on a plate with some lightly boiled veg and voila! Lovely.

Wash down with LOADS of gin and tonic 🙂

After that of course because it was mom’s bday I treated her to some Strawberries and Cream, English classic dessert.

Take the strawberries and slice them (not too finely), sprinkle a little caster sugar over them and leave them to sit for a while (not to sweeten them, but it really brings the flavour and juices out).

Take some whipping cream and whip it up.

Add a little sugar if you have a sweet tooth, then serve together (With more gin and tonic of course).

And well that was the end of my mom’s bday, she had a great day, of course the best present was me being home!

Pubs, Pool, Guiness, Pie and more coming soon..

The topic reminds me of one of my old housemates from my Uni days, nutter from Wales by the name of Taffy.

The first time I walked into the flat he was there, he introduced himself as such:

He proceeded to open the fridge and show me…it contained only cider and cheese, anyway that’s going off topic..

Got up in the morning, mom opened her presents and we headed into out so I could treat my mom lunch for her Birthday..

It’s her 60th next year, so I’m hoping I’ll be able to come back for that one, double party, 60th AND retirement, hopefully she’ll be able to visit Malaysia more often (And cook for everyone :P)

This is the view from the place we parked..

That’s the railway line over the old aquaduct and another car-park, it’s a pretty small city (120,000++ population).

Managed to get my cream cakes, passed a few traditional English cake shops on the way through, not the commercial chains..

We headed to a small place called Elgars which has been an eatery since around 1830, before that it was a Shoemaker.

The name comes from the composer Edward Elgar, one of the few famous people that came from here..

I had a nice pint of English Cider (something like beer but made with apples, very ‘countryfolk’).

My mom wouldn’t stop talking for me to take a picture, so I just had to take it anyway..

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!

I had myself the perfect meal to go with cider, a Ploughmans Lunch.

A very typical, simple countryside kinda meal with a big lump of cheese, some thick ham off the bone, a chunk of bread, some pickled onions, some branston pickle and some salad.

Did a bit more shopping after that, got my work shoes (For 12 pound!) and mom managed to get a pair of deck shoes for a stunning 4 pounds because one had been in the window and was slightly faded.

Next up..Mom’s Bday Dinner