A Few Favorite British Snacks and How to Make Them

Seen in Covent Garden, London 

One of the most amazing things about traveling to another country is to experience their cuisine. I love London's street food and markets! They're always so colorful and the aromas are very different each day! Not only that, Scottish fish is most delectable. When I first went to the UK, I didn't know anything about the cuisine. I knew about a few things like fish 'n' chips, Shepherd's pie, and pasties (Thank you, Cousin Jenny's in Traverse City!) but not much more than that. What surprised me the most about the British cuisine is the love and acknowledgement of Indian food! Incredible.

Below are a few snacks I enjoyed during my time in the UK. If you have any suggestions or any recipes you'd like to share, email melaniesmith62699@gmail.com!

Although most people associate the warm centers and crispy shells of croissants with Paris, this is a beloved treat throughout the UK. Many shop owners take pride in their croissants because the process is time consuming! You don’t get 72 layers of flaky goodness in 10 minutes, you know. Watch this great, entertaining video showing how to make your own croissants. Delicious and hilarious.

Some people make this from scratch because the almond croissant is a delicious sweet treat for anyone, but bakeries will use “stale” regular croissants and fill them with almond filling and top them with a generous amount of almonds. It’s incredibly tasty and if for some mad, mad reason you have extra croissants from the last recipe, definitely make an almond croissant!

One of the most interesting things I tried while in London was Fentimans’ Rose Lemonade. I took my first swig and was taken by surprise! It’s carbonated! It seems to be the only company who makes rose lemonade commercially, but it boasts of using pure rose otto oil from Rose Valley in Kazanlak, Bulgaria. Since most people don’t have easy access to Bulgarian rose otto oil, here is a substitute recipe using rosewater.

Possibly the best and the most common snack I saw while in the UK, I present: The Toastie (which deserves a capital T). Some regions from the US call it a toastie as well, but others refer to it as grilled cheese. However, most cafes have packaged cold sandwiches to choose. There are different types of toasties with cheese like ham, vegetables, or even salmon! Once you choose what you want, those magical words come from the barista/cashier/helper’s mouth asking, “Would you like that toasted?” Always respond with a solid “Yes, please,” and prepare to have your boring bread and cheese sandwich toasted to a warm, cozy meal. Toasties can use butter on the bread, but using a toastie maker is a healthier option. If you wish to venture away from the classic cheese toastie, try some of these creative recipes!

“I know fish and chips is more known to be an English treasure,” said a man from Wales, “but Scotland is where you want to go. The fish just taste better in Scotland.” Fish and chips is typically cod or haddock, but here in the USA, it’s not as freshly available to oh, most of the country. Experiencing GOOD fish and chips can make the difference between it being a healthy dish or a fatty dish. Here is a recipe for a healthier option of frying: Oven baking!

Again, this is another French treasure seen often in England. Macarons are the most beautiful, friendly cookie ever invented. They’re not to be confused with macaroons (coconut cookies, very delicious as well), but they are often mistaken for each other by name. These colorful pastel cookies are perfect for any and every occasion, and they can be filled with practically anything! They’re a bit challenging to make, but the reward of biting into a successful cookie is worth the practice. You can learn how to make them with this video.

Be sure to visit a pub! They typically serve a dinner roast or meal.

In case you do go to Great Britain, I'm sure you'll discover a new favorite dish with each meal! The names of British food are fun and creative too, like neeps and tatties, bangers and mash, rumbledethumps, or bubble and squeak. Definitely try famous dishes like haggis or stargazey pie! For more about British food that might not be easily found in the States, visit below for more links.

Buzzfeed: 18 Weird and Wonderful British Foods You Need to Try
10 British Foods with Strange Names
Top Ten Great British Dishes and Recipes
Differences between British and American Food Terminology
Food and Farming Facts about Britain

Want to learn more about visiting Great Britain? Click here.

This entry was contributed by Shannon Bolen, a Public Relations and Marketing intern at Hedstrom - Ball, Bounce and Sport. She recently graduated from Bowling Green State University in music education and is pursuing a Master’s degree at the Glasgow School of Art.