Wednesday 23 May 2012

National Dishes that can be carried to school. Anyone?

How come my to-do list doesn't seem to be going down, even though I am accomplishing things and crossing stuff off the top end?

Oh, that would be because new items keep being announced and added to the bottom. Now, even though I am flying to England next Wednesday, I still have to find a "national dish"* that can be taken into the Family History brunch on the Friday, figure out an activity that the Little Guy can do on his birthday (yes, I'm missing it, I know, I know) and then magically have cupcakes ready so he can take them into school on the Monday or Tuesday?

In the meantime,  I'm on a national hunt for navy blue men's cargo shorts that actually come somewhere in the region of the Man-Child's knees, as opposed to being mid-thigh. He's 6'3" and a lot of his height is in the legs.  He has to wear a fairly tame uniform for the rock musicians camp he's attending in the summer. (Yes, I know, I know - it seems ludicrous that rock musicians are being made to wear pale blue golf shirts and navy shorts, but there it is). I ordered a few pairs from the camp shop and they came fairly promptly; and I sent them back just as promptly. Nasty, nasty material that resembled a nylon postal carrier's bag, and so short that even someone in the 70's would have balked. And now, of course, there are cargo shorts in every hue but dark navy, or they're in navy but they're not long enough. I can see my entire UK visit being consumed by this search for cargo shorts that fit.

* So what counts as a "National Dish" that can be made some days before, transported into school by a hapless husband and 8 year old, doesn't need to be heated up and can be eaten easily. Oh, and appeals to 8 and 9 year olds. And if at all possible, makes up for the fact that I'm missing his birthday?

Argh - that reminds me, I still need to buy some birthday presents for him.

Weep, weep. Sob, sob.


23 comments:

  1. Eton mess in cupcake cases.

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  2. I'd go with something like shortbread. Or bread pudding. Yorkshire Curd Tart? Hot Cross Buns.....pork pies?????

    OK, moving on. You can freeze cupcakes ahead of time for the birthday. Defrost 24 hours ahead of time and get the boy himself to decorate them :D

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  3. Eton Mess would probably have to be kept cold.

    I second Domestic Goddesque's suggestion of shortbread. With chocolate drizzled over it if you feel you have to get fancy! I was going to suggest freezing the cupcakes too! Funny we were on the same wavelength, 'cos I'm not any kind of domestic goddess!

    OTOH, if you sent in marmite sandwiches you wouldn't have to send in very many - cut the sandwiches into 'fingers' and most people wouldn't even finish those!

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  4. I went to a class presentation today. My granddaughter talked on Spain and the little boy following her talked on England. He brought along scones (which he claimed were his grandmother's recipe from her life in Manchester. That added the personal touch—and I wish he had brought along jam and cream too.

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  5. Jubilee around the corner, it has to be coronation chicken. Duh!

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  6. What about something like Jamie Oliver's stuffed breakfast bread? You could use bacon, eggs, tomatoes, mushrooms and sausage.

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  7. I was thinking you had to do an American dish so thought of, erm, popcorn...

    But a UK one that fits your criteria? How about Jam tarts? Or Flapjack? Nice, easy and yummy.

    Lots of luck lovely. Hope you find the shorts.

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  8. OK, so even though I personally could eat a loaf of Marmite sandwiches, it has definitely been nixed by the Little Guy.
    Flapjacks and shortbread were on my list because I know I can do those, and they'll keep. (You have to understand people - my baking skills are very limited.)

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  9. Sausage rolls, easy to make, easy to transport, easy to keep a day or two ...eaten hot or cold so good for the eaten cold part, I have a Scottish/British cooking blog that might help with suggestions.... tartantastesintx.blogspot.com

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  10. I was going to say sausage rolls as well, those were what leapt to mind. Also, try M&S when you're back fr cargo shorts, have just bought exactly what you described.

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  11. Er, just buy something? That's what I'd do! I can bake if I really really have to, but I'm more of a savoury cook, so I tend to just rely on the shops. Life's too short!

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  12. We had a similar school event and I brought shortbread, which was a big hit. I had considered handing out Cadbury Fruit & Nut bars but didn't trust myself in the car with them.

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  13. Rock cakes? Scones? I think flapjacks are a great plan and very very easy.

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  14. I think sausage rolls are a v gd idea.

    Otherwise, go and buy some Cadbury's chocolate fingers - always a big hit. Available in World Market (do you have one?) or a big Dillons.

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  15. How about Yorkshire puddings, maybe with some jam on the side or a bit of sugar to sprinkle on (gravy's not so great cold). Flapjack is a good idea too.

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  16. Shortbread yes and for the blue cargo's, try Fatface when you are over here. They do cargo shorts with a 12.5 inch inside leg They would do on my 6'2 boy easily. Good luck. Oh, freeze cupcakes without frosting and put the already made, in the fridge. Good for a week sealed.

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  17. Was all set with a recipe suggestion (scones, if you're interested), but saw that you've had more than one suggestion already... So, London. Are we meeting up? Will email you x

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  18. Great suggestions everyone.
    Tried a flapjack recipe last night (with added bits of chocolate). Was OK but I think I fiddled with it too much before it set so we ended up eating most of it along with cereal for breakfast. (See, I told you I was rubbish at this.)
    I did shortbread a few days ago and suggested buying the Walkers variety, but apparently the teachers said if it could be home-made it'd be better. Grrrr.
    Will play around with a few of these ideas.
    Apart from Iota's idea of buying Chocolate fingers though, there's nothing else we can buy here. They don't sell sausage rolls or pork pies. I found a web site that ships them in but the minimum order was 6 dozen!!!
    In years gone by I have done strawberries and cream (Wimbledon style) so if all else fails I'll leave instructions for the Ball & Chain.

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  19. Chicken tikka masala?

    Only joking ;-)

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  20. Was going to suggest a sponge cake but that might not keep.

    Millionaires shortbread?

    You back in London? Let me know if there's a general meet up - would love to come and say hello! x

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  21. Sausage rolls are soo easy to make at home: http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/totally_lazy_mini_98499

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  22. Jaffa Cakes! They will go down a treat and I know they will not have had anything like them! They were about the only British food that my kids would eat when we got here!
    http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/homemadejaffacakes_91480

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