Summer is the time for long leisurely walks that end in a cosy country pub. As well as that well-deserved pint, we always enjoy the lunch or dinner that awaits at the end of the hike, served casually in the bar area or on a tablecloth if it’s a gastropub.
Pub grub, even if the outfit aspires to a Michelin star or a Bib Gourmand entry, should be simple, reasonably priced and tasty. It should feature the old familiar classics like pies and burgers plus a traditional pudding or two. The pubs that stick to traditional fare are best-beloved – even if they are run by television celebrities.
Here’s my collection of classic pub dishes, some with a slight twist, all easy to make at home.
First things first: a proper pub burger is hard to beat (also, easy to get right). These beef patties should be mixed and shaped by hand, grilled or fried, and packed into a (best homemade) bun with a gherkin and a slice of tomato.
The next absolute classic, fish and chips, is significantly trickier to make well at home (let alone messier), but it’s worth an occasional effort. Lager beer makes the perfect fish batter and the chips are double cooked.
If not the full works: breaded and oven baked haddock goujons often feature on pub menus. In crispy panko breadcrumbs, they can be served with tzatziki, Greek cucumber and herb yoghurt sauce.
The classic English pub fare, steak and ale pie can be even better made at home, with flaky shortcrust pastry made from scratch and delicious beef and mushroom filling. English dark ale or stout is the best to use for the steak filling.
Another pie, chicken and mushroom with homemade Cheddar crust. Shortcrust pastry made from scratch, creamy chicken and wild mushroom filling, it’s not a very quick and easy recipe but super tasty. And you can make it ahead, as they do in good pubs (in bad ones they buy it frozen).
Chicken and mushroom pie
RECIPE
Often seen on kids’ menu, none the less tasty: crispy cheesy chicken nuggets. These are triple coated with yoghurt, cheese and cornmeal and they are a treat not just for kids.
A pasta dish is a pub staple these days, so I suggest a mac and cheese. With leeks for extra nutrition, elbow shape pasta baked in cheesy creamy sauce. Macaroni cheese is a frequent vegetarian pub offer and a great comfort food.
Sticky, messy and delicious with a pint: oven braised racks of baby back pork ribs. My recipe is with flavoursome Creole seasoning and maple syrup glaze, cooked for 4 hours into tender perfection.
And now for pudding, arguably the best British dessert: sticky toffee pudding. Another pub staple in the pudding section and who would want anything else? Easy sticky toffee pudding recipe with dates and dark brown sugar – both key ingredients to a good sticky toffee.
Another super easy, super delicious British pudding, apple crumble. It can be put together in a few minutes and baked in half an hour. Apples and rum-steeped raisins covered with oat and cinnamon crumble are the perfect – pub or home - treat.