Dinners - are Brits only ones that make international food for dinner

[o9yhke89]

Was chatting with an Italian and Spanish friend about kids dinners - and mostly they just make whatever they grew up with i.e. Italian and Spanish food and really treasure their family recipes. Most of my English friends always try to have food from different cultures and this is seen as much more sophisticated and worldly. I've lived all over but was wondering whether the Brits just don't value their own cuisine especially when it comes to family meals.

To be honest i think the UK is such a mix of races and nationalities now that the traditional 'british' food includes all sorts. For example I eat pasta most days but wouldn't class my cooking as Italian. I do enjoy things like cottage pie, hotpot, etc but its all a bit heavy - especially at this time of year.

Probably because British food isn't very nice?

I don't know about worldly or sophisticated, but food introduced to a culture eventually becomes part of that culture. I'm sure some people would regard 'spag bowl' as British. Surely it's as British as chicken tikka masala!

I eat more British cuisine in the winter months. I don't feel like pies etc in the summer where as something like couscous or a wrap would be much tastier.

I think Americans eat a variety judging from social media eg lasagnes but they also eat barbecues or burgers

British food is perfectly nice - like a roast dinner. But for this time of year it is quite heavy. I live on salad, although I will still do a roast dinner. But eg the idea of fish and chips on a hot day makes me feel hotter.

As for a BBQ - that just makes me feel hotter as well.

That's because English food is mostly terrible. Got to take a break from all the beige carbs.

It's only not nice if you are a shit cook. My mums lancashire working class traditional food was bloody lovely. Regional food all over the UK is tasty if its cooked well.

Indeed - there is a whole range of cuisines we eat that are just English bastardised versions... Pataks curry in a jar, 'stir fry' kits, British carbonara with cream, ham and peas 😋

"Probably because British food isn't very nice?"

Perhaps years ago but this just isn't true today. We have some fabulous ingredients, chefs and restaurants now and we all have access to endless great British recipes.

Americans eat many different cuisines because we or our ancestors came from many different cultures.

I love English food. And often try to find a decent restaurant offering English food. But have never found one. except in pubs and that’s usually fish and chips / steak/ roast.

We used to have hot pot/ roast lamb/ shepherds pie for school dinners- yum.

I cook mainly my cultures food though as I find that’s easier.

Disagree but then I don't like plain food like pie and mash 🤷‍♀️ i prefer food with flavour / spicy food

Just to clarify this was a conversation between three foreigners in London so it really wasn't a judgement on British food and as people have pointed it London is pretty cosmopolitan. But still, I do find that my British friends are much more focused on showing off their culinary skills when making something international than say my French friends.

Lived in three countries.

Stuff like pizza, pasta, curry, Mexican, burgers etc were available in all of them! As well as more local food

Lidl for example had the various international events like the ones in the UK do.

But that's your opinion, what makes you think they share it?

I think it's catching on - in the last few years, I've seen a lot more 'international' food available in supermarkets in France. They now have, for example, the full Old El Paso range and curry kits - not massively authentic but the kind of stuff that would have been impossible to find a few years ago.

I’m from the Netherlands and Dutch people also eat lots of international foods for dinner. If anything I’d say from my perspective that British people are more wed to certain traditional dishes than the Dutch.

I'm Eastern European and very rarely cook anything from 'home'. It's very potato-meat (similar to Spanish food) based. I cook mostly everything else. Indian food is my favourite, chucking all kinds of vegetables in a dish works best for me.

A lot of traditional English meat and two veg type stuff isn’t my thing at all: I prefer pasta or more Mediterranean type food

See lots of people have pointed out that British food isnt very nice. I've never heard an Italian or French friend say that about their food. Everyone is usually very proud of their local cuisine.

I'm American my family ate food from around the world when I was little (I'm in my late 30s now). It was pretty common among the people we were friends with.

What food are you referring to that isn't very nice?

Like what? Sausages and mash, lancashire hotpot? Roast dinner?
That's all my very lancashire, farm boy husband knows.

Btw I am sure every culture has delicious food, if cooked well but at home you want something quick AND flavourful. Also healthy.
I'm from SouthEast Asia and it's super east to toss everything into the Instant Pot, or make a quick stir fry with loads of vegetables etc.

All the 'British food' seems faffy to make, very meat based or doesn't store well. I'm happy to be corrected and find some great recipes...

That’s pretty subjective though, my slow cooker mustard old spot pork chops, Jersey Royals and Asparagus for tonight will be lovely.

What's faffy about a beef casserole?

Or sausage and mash?

Or fish and boiled potatoes?