Tip: Could add chips to make a main course.
Mark and I are compatriots and chips are a staple for many Brits. For anyone looking for something equally traditional to accompany them here is a suggestion from my very special corner of the country: Pease pudding known colloquially as peas pudden.
“Real” pease pudding uses yellow split peas with onion and carrot. Absolutely great, but not to be recommended with chips because there is no colour contrast on the plate.
Instead you can use dried green peas with finely chopped leek leaves. If you want to be really adventurous try also adding some finely chopped curly kale.
I hate to see any kind of waste and supermarket bought leeks normally have had the tops discarded. We grow our own but you may be able to buy complete leeks from a small trader or you could chat up a gardening enthusiast!
Recipe: Place dried peas in pan. Add some bicarb. Cover with boiling water and leave to soak overnight. (This softens the peas.) Rinse very, very thoroughly and drain off. Put a little oil in a large pan and sauté the finely chopped leaves on a low heat. Add the peas and just cover with water. Add salt and pepper to taste and perhaps a bay leaf. Cook for an hour or two, occasionally stirring, until the peas have broken up.
It isn’t a dish easily prepared on a small scale. It is well worth making a reasonable quantity which is then divided into small portions to be frozen ready for micro-waving just as the chips are ready to brown.
On being served the recitation of the nursery rhyme is an optional extra.
Roger.