Lancashire hotpot is a dish made traditionally from lamb or mutton and onion, topped with sliced potatoes, left to bake in the oven all day in a heavy pot and on a low heat. Originating in the days of heavy industrialisation in Landcashire in the North West of England, it requires a minimum of effort to prepare.

Sloane Ranger refers to a stereotype in the United Kingdom of young, upper class or upper-middle-class people who share distinctive and common lifestyle traits. The term is a punning portmanteau of "Sloane Square", a location in Chelsea, London famed for the wealth of residents and frequenters, and the television Westerns character The Lone Ranger. 

The term was originally popularised by the British writers Peter York and Ann Barr in the book Style Wars (1980), followed by The Official Sloane Ranger Handbook (1982) and its companion The Official Sloane Ranger Diary. 

The exemplar female Sloane Ranger was considered to be Lady Diana Spencer before marrying the Prince of Wales, when she was a member of the aristocratic Spencer family.  Considered typical of SRs was patriotism and traditionalism, and a belief in the values of upper class and upper-middle class culture, confidence in themselves and their given places in the world, a fondness for life in the countryside, country sports in particular, philistinism and anti-intellectualism. 

Hogmanay

Hogmanay is what the Scots call New Year's Eve - 31 December - and the arrival of the New Year is always celebrated in style across the country.

1.     Hogmanay is the Scots word for the last day of the year and is synonymous with the celebration of the New Year in the Scottish manner.

2.     Nobody knows for sure where the word 'Hogmanay' came from. It may have originated from Gaelic or from Norman-French

3.     Historically, Christmas was not observed as a festival and Hogmanay was the more traditional celebration in Scotland. The winter solstice holiday tended to be at New Year when family and friends gathered for a party and exchange presents, especially for the children.

4.     ‘The Bells’ is the phrase used to describe the midnight hour when New Year's Eve becomes New Year's Day.

5.     Burns’ ‘Auld Lang Syne’ is sung to celebrate the start of the New Year at the stroke of midnight, not just in Scotland but in many English-speaking countries.

6.     The Guinness Book of World Records lists ‘Auld Lang Syne’ as one of the most frequently sung songs in English. The song is sung or played in many movies, from ‘It's a Wonderful Life’ to ‘When Harry Met Sally.’

7.     To sing ‘Auld Lang Syne’ a circle is created and hands are joined with the person on each side of you. At the beginning of the last verse, everyone crosses their arms across their breast, so that the right hand reaches out to the neighbour on the left and vice versa. When the tune ends, everyone rushes to the middle, while still holding hands.

8.     An important element of Hogmanay celebrations is to welcome friends and strangers, with warm hospitality and of course a kiss to wish everyone a ‘Guid New Year’. The underlying belief is to clear out the vestiges of the old year, have a clean break and welcome in a young, New Year on a happy note.

9.     ‘First Footing’ – the ‘first foot’ in the house after midnight is still very common is Scotland. To ensure good luck, a first footer should be a dark-haired male. Fair-haired first footers were not particularly welcome after the Viking invasions of ancient times. Traditional gifts include a lump of coal to lovingly place on the host’s fire, along with shortbread, a black bun and whisky to toast to a Happy New Year.

10.    To first foot a household empty-handed is considered grossly discourteous, never mind unlucky!

LAVERBREAD- THE STORY OF A TRUE WELSH DELICACY

Laverbread or ‘bara lawr’ in Welsh is an important traditional food of historical value. A national delicacy made from seaweed, it is washed and then cooked to a soft greenish black paste. Made from laver, one of the most nutritious varieties of seaweed, laverbread is full of health benefits. Rich in minerals and vitamins, full of protein and low in calories, this is a real superfood.  A rare plant source of vitamin B12, it is also full of iron and iodine.


A versatile ingredient used creatively by modern chefs, home cooks and traditional recipes alike, laverbread is a highly underrated considering its nutritional profile and unique flavour. 

Oxbridge is a portmanteau of the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge. The term is used to refer to them collectively in contrast to other British universities and more broadly to describe characteristics reminiscent of them, often with implications of superior social or intellectual status. 

This term is relatively recent. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, it was first mentioned in William Thackeray's novel Pendennis (1849). This literary work also introduces the term Camford as another combination of the university names. However, the term is not as popular as Oxbridge. 

Fruit fool is an English dessert. It is made by folding pureed stewed fruit - classically gooseberries - into sweet custard.  However, modern recipes skip the traditional custard and use whipped cream. Additionally, a flavouring agent like rose water may be also added. 

The earliest recipe for fruit fool dates to the mid 17th century. Why the word fool is used as a name of this dessert is unclear. 

Edinburgh rock is a traditional Scottish confection. It consists of sugar, water, cream of tartar, including colourings and flavourings. It is formed into sticks and has soft, crumby texture. 

Edinburgh rock was first made in the 19th century by a man named Alexander Ferguson, who became known as Sweetie Sandy. It is said that one day he came across a tray of sweets that had lain forgotten for months. He tried a piece and found it delicious, and so Edinburgh rock was born.