Traditional country fare.
UPDATE - This site has moved to a new home!
A serious subject requires serious attention.
-----------------------------------------------------
A Ploughman's. Originating from what a ploughman, or other farm worker, may have taken to the field to help sustain body and soul during a long day's work.
Wikipedia - Ploughman's Lunch
The form we see now is far removed from this simple food. It is thought to have comprised a piece of bread, a lump of cheese or ham - or maybe a bit of sausage, an apple or onion and a flagon of small beer of cider for refreshment.
There would have been a great many variations, possibly a cold baked potato instead of bread, cider or beer depending on location and it may have been poor stuff compared to today's creations. However, that is the suspected origin.
I would probably give top marks all around if, when asking for a ploughman's, I was given a paper parcel with a lump of rustic bread (hopefully with some good local butter) a lump of good cheese, and apple and a stone jar of cider - and be pointed towards a mead with halcyon views and told to go away, however, in reality that is not likely to happen.
With unfortunate regularity, the ploughman's that is offered is little more than a limp pile of leaves, a slimy onion (pickled in what might be battery acid), some pickle that is strong enough to remove paint, the worst manufactured bread (see Chorleywood process) possible with a margarine spread and a cheese that is barely ripened beyond stiff milk.
However, there are exceptions, and these should be celebrated.
So welcome to the Good and the bad of ploughman's lunches.
Wikipedia - Ploughman's Lunch
The form we see now is far removed from this simple food. It is thought to have comprised a piece of bread, a lump of cheese or ham - or maybe a bit of sausage, an apple or onion and a flagon of small beer of cider for refreshment.
I would probably give top marks all around if, when asking for a ploughman's, I was given a paper parcel with a lump of rustic bread (hopefully with some good local butter) a lump of good cheese, and apple and a stone jar of cider - and be pointed towards a mead with halcyon views and told to go away, however, in reality that is not likely to happen.
With unfortunate regularity, the ploughman's that is offered is little more than a limp pile of leaves, a slimy onion (pickled in what might be battery acid), some pickle that is strong enough to remove paint, the worst manufactured bread (see Chorleywood process) possible with a margarine spread and a cheese that is barely ripened beyond stiff milk.
However, there are exceptions, and these should be celebrated.
So welcome to the Good and the bad of ploughman's lunches.
Comments
Post a Comment