 Remember,
remember, the Fifth of November...
One of England's more bizarre celebrations is Guy Fawkes
Night, when the English commemorate events in 1605 when Guy
Fawkes and his colleagues attempted, but failed, to blow up
the Houses of Parliament.
Every year, the Gunpowder Plot, as it became know, is
celebrated throughout the land.
The celebrations center round huge bonfires, on which an
effigy of Guy Fawkes - the guy - is burnt. Primarily an
entertainment for children, fireworks are also a feature of
Guy Fawkes Night. Sometimes these are local affairs as
people get together in neighborhood backyards, some are more
lavish - arranged by organizations and local authorities -
featuring fabulous firework displays.
The English are never quite sure whether they are
celebrating the fact that Parliament was saved from the plot
or commiserating that Guy Fawkes and his colleagues did not
succeed in their mission!!!
As with all celebrations, Guy Fawkes Night has its own food!
Because this celebration dates back for hundreds of years,
it is common to have baked potatoes, served with a variety
of fillings and British Bangers, cooked on the edge of the
bonfire.Recipes for
other treats below!
Parkin from Connie
Preheat oven to 300 F. 150 C. or gas Mark 2 (this is a
recipe from "The Best of British!" cookbook bought at Marks
and Spencer's)
8 ozs. plain wholemeal flour
4 ozs. medium oatmeal
2 teaspns. ground ginger
1-2 teaspns. ground cinnamon
large pinch of freshly grated nutmeg
1teaspn. bicarbonate of soda
4 ozs. black treacle
6 ozs. golden syrup
4 ozs. butter or margarine
3 ozs. soft light brown sugar
1 large egg (size 1) beaten
1/4 pint milk
Grease 10" square pan and line the base and sides with
parchment.
In a large bowl mix together the flour, oatmeal, ginger,
cinnamon, nutmeg and bicarbonate of soda.
Place the treacle, syrup, butter or margarine and sugar in a
small saucepan. Heat gently, stirring, until the sugar is
dissolved.
When the sugar is completely dissolved pour the mixture into
the dry ingredients. Add the egg and beat well, gradually
adding the milk to give a thick batter.
Pour the mixture into the prepared pan and bake in a
preheated oven for about one hour, until the cake is firm
and has shrunk slightly from the corners of the pan.
Leave to cool in the pan, then store for a few days, if
possible, before serving and cut into squares
Bonfire Toffee
450g (1lb) Soft Brown Sugar
225g (8oz) Black Treacle
110g (4oz) Unsalted Butter
2 tbsp Water
1 tbsp White Vinegar
Place the butter, water and vinegar into a heavy bottomed
saucepan, heat gently until the butter has melted.
Add the sugar and black treacle, allow to fully dissolve,
this takes about 20 minutes.
Boil the mixture to a temperature of 138°C (280°F). Remove
from the heat, allow the bubble to decrease.
Pour the mixture into a well oiled 18cm (7 inch) sandwich
tin.
When the mixture has cooled a little mark the surface into
squares with a knife.
When cold break into squares, wrap in cellophane and store
in an airtight container.
Fruit Punch
1 pint (570ml) orange juice
1 pint (570ml) ginger ale
1 pint (570ml) bottle of liquid apple
1 pint (570ml) pineapple juice, unsweetened
Selection of fresh fruit such as grapes, strawberries,
apples and oranges
Wash the fruit and arrange in a glass dessert or punch bowl
Blend together the apple, orange and pineapple juice then
pour over the fruit
Chill thoroughly
Chill the ginger ale, pour into the punch bowl and ladle
into tumblers.
This is great for children but adults will appreciate it all
the more if they have their own version with added alcohol!
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