Looking for classic British fayre? Then it doesn’t get better than traditional pie and mash.
This delicious meal has been putting a smile on the faces of Londoners for centuries, but if you’re new to pie and mash, with so many accompaniments, you may be wondering what to have with it.
To help you out, here we’ll be going over some of the best additions to enjoy alongside your pie and mash.
Gravy
Gravy is a tasty sauce that’s traditionally made from meat juices, stock, flour and seasoning. This savoury sauce has been around for many a moon, first enjoyed back in mediaeval times, and it's still just as popular as ever.
Nothing beats pouring that yummy gravy all over your pie and creamy mash, adding a big dollop of flavour that really does put the finishing touches on your meal.
Although gravy traditionally contains meat, vegetarians and vegans, don’t panic! These days it’s easy to recreate the delicious taste using only plant-based ingredients.
Parsley Liquor Sauce
Looking for the most authentic pie and mash experience? Then you’ve got to opt for parsley liquor sauce as it’s a quintessential component of this classic dish.
The vibrant green sauce is traditionally made from parsley, flour, butter, vinegar and a healthy dose of seasoning. Its history can be traced back to the 19th century, where it was used as a flavourful addition to many of the working class staple foods.
Drizzling parsley liquor sauce over the top of your pie and mash not only adds to the classic experience but also adds a zesty kick that balances out the rich flavours and adds a unique touch to every bite.
Jellied Eels
While jellied eels might not sound like everyone’s cup of tea, the term "don't knock it until you've tried it" is most certainly applicable when it comes to this East London delicacy.
Jellied eels, which consists of chopped eels boiled in a spiced stock that sets to form a coagulated jelly, originated alongside pie and mash in the 18th century. The dish became popular due to its cheap and nutritious nature, and jellied eels became a dietary staple for many of the city’s poor.
In the 1700s, the first eel, pie and mash shops opened, and some of the city’s longest-running shops have been specialising in this dish for well over a century.
Due to their history, jellied eels are a must-try for anyone in London who wants to sample the local cuisine. And who knows, you might even like them!
Dessert
A great way to round off a hearty meal of pie and mash is with a classic dessert, and they don’t come more classic than Spotted Dick.
Like pie and mash, this dessert has been a staple on tables in the capital for hundreds of years. It's a pudding made with suet, flour, sugar and dried fruit like currants or raisins.
After you've polished off your hearty pie and mash, a warm slice of Spotted Dick with custard adds a sweet touch to your meal, balancing out the savoury with some sweetness. What’s more, the time-tested Spotted Dick retains the tradition, providing the perfect ending to this classic British feast!
Most Spotted Dick recipes are made with suet, which is a hard fat found around the kidneys or loins of pigs, cows and sheep. So if you’re a veggie/vegan or you’d just rather avoid this ingredient, the classic sticky toffee pudding should hit the mark.
Just as quintessentially British as Spotted Dick but without the animal fat, sticky toffee pudding will round off your pie and mash wonderfully!
So those are the main accompaniments to enjoy along with your pie and mash. Whether you’re a hungry omnivore looking to sample traditional gravy and eels with your meat pie, or you’re vegan who's keen to sample traditional cuisine with a plant-based twist, there’s sure to be something for everyone.
If you have a party or event and you’re looking for a catering service, our pie and mash van may be the ideal solution. Delicious, hearty food served hot for you and your guests – what more can they ask for?
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