Food Adventures - Jellied Eels

Over the last few months I've had a couple of friends (Hi Ray and Joe!) come an visit me and I took them to my favorite fish and chips shop: Poppies.  It is an amazing diner in Spitalfields with a 1950's vibe and a variety of fish to choose from.

http://hereisthecity.com/

First off:  the fish is amazing.  The appetizers (UK: entrees) on the other hand are less desirable.  Joe and I tried Jellied Eels the last time I frequented this purveyor of fish.  We didn't know jellied eels was a dish that originated in the 18th century and had been a favorite fast food in the East End for hundreds of years.  What we got was a bowl full of fishy jelly with bits of eel and a bottle of chili vinegar to put on top.  The waitress explained you cut up the slimy freshwater eel and boil it for hours.  The slime from the eel turns the water into a gelatinous mixture once it cools.  Yum?

Learning to Speak British

Growing up in the US I thought I knew how to speak English.  I even knew that there were two ways of pronouncing "Z" thanks to the Canadian Broadcasting Channel's version of Sesame Street.  Now that I'm living in the UK I have learnt that British English and American English are two different things entirely.

When I first came to the UK I kept avoiding foods with "aubergine" because I thought it was some kind of sardine fish.   I didn't figure out what aubergines (UK: eggplants) were until I went to a "You-Pick Farm" (UK: Pick-your-own).  I wandered the fields until I came upon as posted sign stating what type of vegetable was actually planted in the field.

UK   =   US
aubergine = eggplant
bangers = sausage
biscuit = cookie
brown sauce = steak sauce (HP Sauce)
chips = french fries
courgette = zucchini
coriander = cilantro
crisps = potato chips
digestive = round cookie
entree = appetizer
jacket potato = baked potato
marrow = squash
pudding = dessert
red sauce = ketchup
rocket = arugula
spring onion = green onion
swede = rutabaga

Once I figured out the proper name for food I felt fairly confident in my British English.  That was until I started playing Monkey-in-the-Middle (UK: Pig-in-the-Middle) with my roommate's niece (Age: 10) and nephew (Age: 7).  Both the kids where in their pajamas (UK: jim-jams) and the little boy started to overheat.  I bent down and suggested he, "...roll up his pants."  Immediately, he had a look of horror on his face and his sister burst out into laughter saying, "She means trousers, Louie, trousers!"  Little did I know but I had just suggested he roll up his underwear!  The rest of the night was spent quizzing me on how I said things or giggling at my accent.  :)

UK   =   US
budgie smuggler = men's speedo
jumper = sweater
pants = underwear
pinafore = jumper
tartan = plaid
trainers = gym shoes
trousers = pants
stockings = tights/nylons
sweater = sweatshirt
wellies = rubber boots
Y-fronts = men's briefs

London Weather

People always ask me how the weather is in London.  It really isn't that bad.  Of course it is cloudy and damp, but then you always know what to expect.  Since moving to London I now talk about the weather on a daily basis.  Is it warm and cloudy, cool and rainy, mild and sunny, or is it cold and the rain is coming down at a 45 degree angle which no umbrella has a chance of stopping?  It seems to be that 45 degree angled rain only occurs when I am on my 15 minute walk from the train station to work or in another country in Europe.  Actually, it rains every time I leave England.  Every time.

When it rains it's only for an hour or so, but it is always a good idea to have an umbrella with you.  I was just looking through my pictures and most of the pictures in England have blue or partially cloudy skies.  Only one has an umbrella!

Cool and rainy:

The evening to day temperature swings are usually about 10F and this week the high has been in the low 50F rather than -15F that most of the US has been experiencing.  Sure most of the winter is in the 40/50s and spring/fall is in the 50/60s, but that's what summer is for!  For a week it might even make it up to the 80s!

Cool and Cloudy:

Mild and Sunny:

Looks like I still need a warm and sunny picture!  :)

Happy Thanksgiving!?

Guess what?  My mom is in London this week to celebrate Thanksgiving, Christmas, and my big three oh!!  I am ecstatic that she is here!  We had fun experiencing Salzburg for a weekend and now she's been exploring London while I've been at work.  

But today is the the big day.  The big Turkey day.  It is the first time in 7 years that we've been able to celebrate Thanksgiving together.  Back in Michigan we would have enormous Thanksgiving dinners.  It wasn't uncommon to have 25-30 people over and to have them seated on a table that snaked from the dining room, living room, and ending in the foyer.  The day would begin by rolling out of bed to watch the Detroit's America Thanksgiving Parade on the TV (FYI it has been going on longer than the Macy's Parade), followed by Miracle on 34th Street, and while cooking the food watching Holiday Inn or White Christmas.  Thanksgiving was our day to spend together lounging and cooking food.  Well, that is until having our house filled with family members.

We finally get to celebrate Thanksgiving together again in London!  Where they don't celebrate Thanksgiving or eat Turkey on any day other than Christmas day.  English coworkers told me not to worry, that you can find turkey in the supermarket.  For the past week I have found turkey cutlets, turkey legs (yes the kind you eat at the Renaissance fair), and a big empty spot above the label for "Turkey Crowns" (aka Turkey without the legs or wings). "No problem!" I told myself, "I have over a week for them to be restocked.  I'll just go by Tesco everyday until I get one."  So, I went everyday looking for a turkey crown and finally the sign and the empty spot for turkey crowns disappeared.  

No problem!  I'll just find a place that normally serves turkey on their menu and we'll go there.  Lo and behold there weren't andy restaurants that normally serve turkey, but there were restaurants that were having special Thanksgiving dinners for American expats.  AWESOME!  There were even two restaurants near the Panto theater where we would be on Thanksgiving night.  I sent my mom the menus, we selected the restaurant, and they were booked until 10:45pm, both restaurants were booked .  .   .  Fine.  I didn't want your turkey anyway.  

No problem!  I heard you could order a turkey from Whole Foods.  I found the perfect pre-made turkey dinner with stuffing, gravy, cranberry sauce, brussels sprouts, and mashed potatoes.  The first available pickup was on Saturday which was fine.  My mom and I would just go to Bath and Stonehenge on Friday.  I would work from home on Saturday and we would celebrate Thanksgiving Saturday afternoon.  We selected our mini pies and hit purchase.  What!?  I can only pickup the food up late on Saturday night.  So late that we won't have time to cook the turkey before my mom leaves on Sunday morning.  Okay,  well I really did want that pumpkin pie but I guess it won't work out.

No problem!  I'll order from Salisbury, thaw the delivered turkey breast overnight, cook everything from scratch, and it will only cost 10 pounds for a meal for two.  Wait.  There is a minimum order of 25 pounds, I don't have room in the kitchen for that much food and I'm too stressed out to even try to pick another 15 pounds worth of food.

No problem!  We'll go to KFC and have chicken, mashed potatoes, and maybe they'll even have stuffing.  I looked up the KFC UK website to find out that yes the do have chicken, but instead of mashed potatoes that have chips (aka fries) and over cooked corn on the cob.  Dammit England!!  

No problem? My mom suggests we have a roast, but of course you can only get roasts on Sunday because Sunday is Sunday Roast Day.  At this point I may have thrown a bit of a pity party for myself.  I give up.

That is until I wake up the next day to go to work on Thanksgiving Day.  I tell myself it's a good day.  My mom is here, the sun is behind clouds but it isn't raining, and tonight we're going to go see a play.  I get to Chelmsford and order my morning coffee when something in the display catches my eye.   Plan H has come through. No problem! Thanksgiving is saved!!  

Happy Thanksgiving from a country that does not celebrate Thanksgiving!

"Sliced succulent turkey breast, beechwood smoked bacon from British farms with stuffing
in a seasoned mayonnaise and sweet cranberry sauce on malted bread"

I Live in the City of London!

You may be asking yourself...  why does Anna care that she lives in the City of London?  Don't millions of other people live in the City of London?  Well I am sorry to say this, but you a wrong. While millions of people live in London about 7000 people live in the City of London.  The City of London is only 1 square mile and resides within London.  Confused yet?  It was the ancient Roman city surrounded by the London Wall build and protected by dragons.  Yes, dragons.

My first weekend in London I learned that these dragons protect the City, then a few days ago while walking home I saw one right next to my apartment.  Could it be?  Could I live within the City of London?!  After a little bit of wikipedia and google maps it was confirmed.  I live within the City of London!

If you'd like a little more history of the City of London please check out the video below:

Food Adventures - Scottish Egg

While on an evening walk along the Thames I worked up an appetite.  I went to store after store but nothing sounded appealing to me.  Just as I was about to give up I saw a cute little stand selling Scottish Eggs.  Sure I had no idea what a Scottish Egg was but figure what the heck.  This is what I received:

Basically it is a soft boiled egg, covered in sausage, and then deep fried in bread crumbs.  It is served cold, sliced with a bit of mustard on top.  It was yummy!!  I can see this being a big hit with the drunks making there way home after a night on the town.  By the way, people drink here All. The. Time. Seeing someone get sick next to the train station in a business suit on a Thursday at 4 pm isn't an uncommon sight.  I'm still trying to get used to it!  PS don't worry it wasn't me in the business suit next to the train.  :)

London at Night

One of my favorite things to do in London is wander around at night.  London is a beautiful city in the evening.  Luckily it now gets dark at well... 4-5pm... so now I have plenty of time to go exploring.

Normally my walk takes me across the London Bridge.  There are river walks along both sides of the Thames but most people prefer the south but to get a good picture of the Shard you need to take the path less traveled.

I love the river at dusk as the lights reflect upon the water.  In the second picture you can see St. Paul's Cathedral in the background.  I think most of my pictures either have St. Pauls or the Shard in them.  At least I know what I like!

In the late fall there was a fair along the Thames.  There were slides, street performers, and even a popup dance club.  I think everyone was getting in a last bit of excitement before then rainy winter set in.

And of course no walk at night would be complete without a picture of Big Ben, Paralament, and the London Eye!

Food Adventures - Pigeon

When I'm at a new restaurant I love to try things I've never had before.  I'm trying to keep that same mentality over here.  On my first work trip to Chelmsford I tried "Pigeon and Pear Salad."  Not squab, but pigeon.  I ordered it and kept trying to think of doves or ducks which are quite tasty.  (WOW!  British English is rubbing off on me. Did you see I just used the word quite!?!)  Anyway, my salad came out and the meat on top looked like pieces of well done steak and tasted like pork.  It actually tasted okay but was a bit greasy for my liking.  At some point I started to think about what I was eating, flying rats, and couldn't take another bite.  At least I tried!  Next time I'd be willing to eat the dish as long as the call it squab.  That way I won't realize what it really is.   :)

London Scavenger Hunt

Have you heard of meetup.com?  It is an online community where people with similar interests can plan events together and form "meetups."  I have joined a couple groups including one where we went on the Seven Sisters hike.

Recently a group meet for a Scavenger hunt around London.  I LOVE scavenger hunts.  The crazier they are the better.  I figured this London hunt would be a great way to meet people.  Surprisingly, I didn't really connect with the group but I did have a unexpected visitor show up:

I'm am pleased to introduce you to Mike.  He's a pretty swell guy.  Mike even tried to help me out on the Scavenger hunt.  Let's see if you have any guesses on the following clues:

How did John Overs plan unsuccessfully to save on his daily food bill?

-He pretended he had died in hopes that his ship crew would go into morning and start to fast.  Instead they held a HUGE celebration that he finally was gone from this world.

What English galleon is best known for its circumnavigation around the glode between 1577 and 1580? 

- The Golden Hind.  It looks like Mike found it!

What is the current tallest building in the European Union?

-The Shard is 1004 ft and opened earlier this year.  Hopefully I'll have a chance to get a view from the top while I'm here!

What tunneling lark clearly required a mighty brain?

You'll just need....

Which guild is opposite The Drapers?

... to come...

How did the 25th Battalion get about?

... visit me in London...

According to this Temple of Mammon, what is 'The Lord's'??

... and swing by... 

What did it take weeks to complete after the man commissioned to make it died?

....the Royal Exchange to find out!

Thanks for all your help!  See you at the next hunt!  Bye!

Graffiti or is it Street Art?

I live near the vibrant street markets of Spitalfields, Petticoat Lane, Columbia Road, Brick Lane, and UpMarket.  Every Sunday I am wandering around looking at the wares and taking in the smells.  It is always chaotic but the people watching is amazing.

Plus there is the street art.  Nothing like the random tags you see around Denver or Detroit.  It reminds me of a past art exhibit at the Longmont Museum and Cultural Center.  It was call Street Cred and focused different styles of street art in LA.  Each artist was also given a medium of their choice to make a piece of are or sculpture based on their style.

Let's take a walk around Brick Street...

I like how this one is on a piece of plywood.  No destruction of personal property here

If you had a garage door in the community would you welcome artwork on it?

The Monet of street art:

This is my favorite.  The artist first painted on butchers paper, cut it out, and glued it the wall.  By the next rain storm it will be gone, ready for the next piece of art.

Food Adventures- Mushy Peas

When ordering fish and chips be mindful that you order mushy peas.  If you do not head my warning you may find yourself accidentally inhaling a pea, coughing hard to dislodge said pea, and depositing rouge pea into ones nasal cavity.  You have been warned.

Acceptable:

Unacceptable: