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Are you all about history and heritage when it comes to what you eat? You’re in luck. Whether it’s a dish native to the area or one that’s been adopted for decades, there are plenty of delicacies worth seeking out if you live in one of the cities across our network.
While current restrictions mean dining out is off the table, it’s still possible to order a takeaway to sample one of these regional dishes. And if you live a little further away, why not try recreating them at home in preparation for a trip you might take once restrictions ease and we can travel freely again? From sweet afternoon teas, to hearty stews and spicy curries, here are just a few mouth-watering meals and snacks you can enjoy.
Glasgow is considered the curry capital of the UK, with one variety particularly prevalent.
We’re talking about classic Chicken Tikka Masala, a yummy concoction of chicken marinated in yoghurt and spices topped with a creamy, tomato-based sauce. It’s a close cousin of butter chicken and some claim it even originated in a curry house in Glasgow in the 1970s!
The curry house in question is Shish Mahal near Kelvingrove Park and it’s still serving Chicken Tikka Masala today for you to enjoy at home. You can also order this flavoursome dish to take out if you’re local to one of the many Indian restaurants across Glasgow, or have a go at creating it yourself at home with this Jamie Oliver recipe.
If Edinburgh is your hometown, you’ll likely have tried haggis at some point in your life! It’s the national dish of Scotland after all. Yet while it wasn’t invented in the capital, it’s widely available across the city.
For those who don’t know, haggis is a meat pudding usually made from a mix of sheep offal, onion, suet and spices which are then placed inside a sheep’s stomach and boiled. On the surface it may not sound hugely appetising, but it’s an incredibly rich and hearty dish which goes well with mashed neeps (turnips) and tatties (potato).
Haggis has been around for hundreds of years and is especially popular on Burn’s Night. If its contents aren’t for you, you’ll find that nowadays you can buy many different versions, including ones which are completely meat-free! Pop some readymade haggis onto your shopping list or try making this vegan haggis at home.
Love a hearty stew? Scouse (as its name suggests) is a Liverpool dish and actually where the term “scouser” originates from! And with it being Global Scouse Day on the 28th February (a day dedicated to eating this delicious meal) why not try it for yourself at home?
Scouse first came onto the city’s food scene in the 18th century and was popularly eaten by dockworkers. It’s often considered a mash-up between Irish stew and a Lancashire hotpot, with its main ingredients being beef, potatoes, carrots and onions. Many also claim it was brought over to Britain from Northern Europe by sailors and that it is in fact a type of Lapskaus stew.
Fancy trying a bowlful of this wholesome stew at home? If you live in the city, Fodder Canteen is currently offering takeaway versions through their Fodder at Home service. But if you live a little further away, scouse is easily recreated at home. Try this more traditional recipe from the National Trust.
You might associate cream teas with the West Country, but plenty of cities across our network know how to serve up a delicious afternoon tea. And if you live in Newcastle, you’re in luck.
While city centre restaurant, 21, has had to close its doors for the time being they’ve switched their offering to their new kerb-side collection service, 21 at Home. And this includes an indulgent afternoon tea featuring the traditional tower of sandwiches, scones and sweet treats. Reckon you can make equally as good scones at home? There are loads of easy-to-follow recipes online, including this BBC Good Food one for classic scones with clotted cream.
If a hot, flaky pastry pie is what you’re craving, Preston has your back! Butter pie is a famous Lancashire dish and there are plenty of places to grab a takeaway version if you live local to the county’s capital.
Also known as air pie, butter pie was historically made by Preston’s Catholic community to eat on Fridays – a day when meat was usually avoided. That means that the yummy pie is completely meat-free and instead stuffed with potato, onion, butter and seasonings.
If you live in Preston, you’ll be able to pick up butter pies at most bakeries, including Dean’s Bakery and Round & Sons. Their simple ingredients also make them a great savoury treat to try baking yourself at home.
Fish and chips and 99s are commonplace food on Yorkshire’s coast! If you live in the Scarborough area, you’ll know it’s an ideal place to pick up a chippy tea.
While fish and chips were actually thought to be invented down south, for many northerners our fish and chips will always be the best. And Scarborough definitely has its fair share of chip shops to take your pick of, all of which offer takeaway. If you live in Scarborough, head down to South Bay Beach for a slew of outlets, including The Anchor and The Famous Fish Pan.
Of course, battered cod and chunky chips are also fairly easy to make yourself from scratch at home, plus you can buy pre-prepared options in the supermarket and simply stick them in the oven.
Remember, you should only book train tickets if you have an essential reason to travel, such as for work or to care for someone who is vulnerable. Everyone else should stay local and make the most of what’s in your city or town – including your famous local food!
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