So You're Dating a Brit - He's Home!!!

Due to my new job, I have been slacking on blogging. I've been coming home from work and collapsing on the couch while dunking my aching/bleeding/blistered feet in a tub of cold water. My coworkers have told me that my feet will toughen up, but seeing as this is likely a temporary job, I don't think that it will happen in time to make a difference. On the upside, I am making a lot of money and losing weight. After every shift, I feel like I've run a half marathon in heels...because I practically have! This lack of blogging means that I didn't get through my entire Cost Plus mystery bag prior to Dan coming home from Europe. Not only that, but he brought a whole bunch of treats from both England and Sweden (I'm branching out beyond the UK) for me to try and use in this blog segment. Some of it's strange and exotic and a lot have quirky names and fun packaging. It all makes American snack food seem very dull.

I'm going to start with one of the Swedish treats. Dan lived in Sweden and he told me that this is a popular candy.

Made by Malaco, Gott Blandat Salt (naturally the only thing that I understand is the salt part) is black liquorice dusted with very finely ground salt. The salt gives it an initial bite, but then the taste of liquorice is so overpowering that the salt is drowned. I feel that this treat, although not terrible, must be an acquired taste. You must really love liquorice to find it appealing. The candy is shaped like shells and starfish, cute touch.

I am sticking with one review tonight, because I am still stuffed from the delicious Tuna Casserole that Dan made for dinner. I'm not sure that the casserole is English, but Dan said "Go take a picture for your blog"...so here it is...

It was really good and he made it for me even though he was exhausted from a very long day of travel. I am so happy to have him home!

So You're Dating a Brit- Mushy Edition

Tonight, I wanted Mac and Cheese and thought that it would be a good time to bring out that can of Batchelors Mushy Peas. I washed it down with a bottle of Fuller's London Pride Beer.

The beer, brewed in Chiswick, was very good. To be honest, I'm not a great judge of beer. I don't possess a discriminating palate. I like nearly everything that comes my way. If it's beer, send it my way! I can best describe it as a heavy beer that went well with the Mac and Cheese.

I have always put peas in two categories. First, fresh peas. I love fresh, firm, sweet peas. Second, canned peas. Always a bit yellow in tone and semi soft, not a favorite, but I will eat them if it's the only veggie option. I love vegetables. Mushy Peas are now a third pea category for me and I didn't like them!

I followed the directions on the can which said to heat them gently in a saucepan on the Hob (which I am guessing means stove top and a new word that I've now picked up. ~~007~~ Dan has never called it "The Hob"). Here it is cooking, looking like a bad Science experiment, somewhat toxic. It's actually exactly the color of the slime that they use on Nickelodeon!

The consistency is odd. It's firmer than American canned peas, but it's also sitting in a thick mush that's almost like dried up pea soup. It's bland. I'm curious if people have ways of spicing it up and making it taste better. Also, what's it served with? I've seen it on menus at local pubs, but I've never ordered it or noticed what it was paired with. I am usually too busy wolfing down my Shepherds Pie! I gave it a go, but definitely not a fan of Mushy.

And, I of course enjoyed my dinner while watching the fifth episode of Downton Abbey. I loved the flower show part. Lady Sybil is also fast becoming one of my favorite characters.

So You're Dating a Brit - In England They Eat FINGERS!!!!

I have a note to last night's post about Cadbury Finger. ~~007~~ Dan read my blog and sent me a picture of the English packaging of the product.

Here is the American packaging for the same product.

Finger or Fingers, I still think that it's a funny name for a yummy treat.