Week 6 - The Fry Up - England

“To eat well in England you should have breakfast three times a day.”

W. Somerset Maugham (1874-1965)

As the London 2012 Olympics wind down we want to join in the celebrations, breakfast-style.  So allow us to present:  THE FULL ENGLISH BREAKFAST.

The Full English breakfast or the Fry Up, is one of England's best culinary inventions.  It's the epitome of a hearty breakfast and can include an astounding number of foods:  sausage (bangers), bacon (rashers), blood pudding, white pudding, some form of potato (hashbrown, patty, bubble and squeak), eggs, baked beans, fried tomato, fried mushrooms, and toast.

On our recent honeymoon to London we made sure to try a proper English fry-up.  We went to an awesome cafe, complete with workaday customers and no-nonsense staff...

 The service was quick, the breakfast was salty and delicious, and we were well satisfied until lunchtime...

The Full English Breakfast in London, England

When recreating the Full English at home, we had sausage, bacon, eggs, Bubble and Squeak, fried tomatoes, baked beans and of course, a strong cup of coffee.

Our version at home

As the Full English breakfast long ago transplanted itself into diners across Canada and the USA, this one wasn't new to us.  However there were some differences to what we eat here in North America.  Namely the fried tomato, baked beans and Bubble and Squeak.

The 411 on Bubble and Squeak

Bubble and Squeak is a fried hash made with left-over potatoes, cabbage and whatever other vegetables you have languishing in your fridge.  The story is that as you fry it, it "bubbles" and "squeaks".   And you know what?  It really did!

The Verdict:

For Ease of Preparation:

It didn't take too long to prepare but it did require some serious time-management skills to make sure it was ready all at once.

For Degrees of Separation:

This one probably came as close to home as we'll get during this journey.

For Guestability:

Everyone loves a proper Fry-Up.

For Sustainability:

This breakfast included not one, not two, not three, but FOUR proteins!  We didn't need lunch...

Overall Appeal:

The Full English wasn't a surprise in anyway, but it went down as a favourite nonetheless.  I loved the variety, and really, who doesn't love bacon?

So the Full English breakfast satisfied my English roots, join us next time as we explore what my Danish ancestors ate...