BS: UK: Is Black Pudding a northern thing?

Subject: BS: UK: Is Black Pudding a northern thing?
From: GUEST,Ed
Date: 10 Feb 08 - 08:37 AM

I'm asking this because, just having moved to north Derbyshire, I'm really not sure if I'm in the North anymore. I may have drifted into the Midlands...

For wont of a better definition, I've decided to define 'Northern' as being somewhere where Black Pudding is readily availabe. The Bury Black Pudding Company's website would seem to back up my idea.

Am I wrong? Can you easily buy puddings in Birmingham, Bicester or Bude?

Subject: RE: BS: UK: Is Black Pudding a northern thing?
From: Emma B
Date: 10 Feb 08 - 08:42 AM

you certainly can here

Subject: RE: BS: UK: Is Black Pudding a northern thing?
From: Emma B
Date: 10 Feb 08 - 08:44 AM

or if you want to travel a little farther afield - ici

Subject: RE: BS: UK: Is Black Pudding a northern thing?
From: Emma B
Date: 10 Feb 08 - 08:47 AM

or even aqui

Subject: RE: BS: UK: Is Black Pudding a northern thing?
From: Emma B
Date: 10 Feb 08 - 08:55 AM

agus anseo

Subject: RE: BS: UK: Is Black Pudding a northern thing?
From: Sorcha
Date: 10 Feb 08 - 09:03 AM

Black pudding is disgusting. So are mushy peas. Can you tell I'm a Yank? LOL

Subject: RE: BS: UK: Is Black Pudding a northern thing?
From: GUEST,Ed
Date: 10 Feb 08 - 09:19 AM

Thanks, but my question was about England, really.

Subject: RE: BS: UK: Is Black Pudding a northern thing?
From: Emma B
Date: 10 Feb 08 - 09:36 AM

Ahh Sorcha - surely one of our national icons :)

Subject: RE: BS: UK: Is Black Pudding a northern thing?
From: Anne Lister
Date: 10 Feb 08 - 09:37 AM

We can get black pudding fairly easily here in South Wales - but I'm confused, because your thread title says UK and now your last post says England. There's more countries than England in the UK, you know.

Anne

Subject: RE: BS: UK: Is Black Pudding a northern thing?
From: GUEST,Ed
Date: 10 Feb 08 - 09:44 AM

Fair comment, Tabster. My use of 'UK' in the title was basically a 'steer' to our colonial (*grin*) friends....

My premise is obviously wrong if it's freely available where you are.

Subject: RE: BS: UK: Is Black Pudding a northern thing?
From: Sorcha
Date: 10 Feb 08 - 09:51 AM

And when they add green food colouring......oh shudddder.

Subject: RE: BS: UK: Is Black Pudding a northern thing?
From: bubblyrat
Date: 10 Feb 08 - 10:02 AM

We used to get it ,in Devon,for breakfast in the navy, at RN Barracks, Devonport, and HMS Raleigh ( Torpoint ).------Although it wasn't black, it was white, and it was called Hog's Puddin',not Black Pudding, but otherwise very similar stuff.--quite tasty ,actually. I expect Cyril Tawney would have known some obscure naval slang for it, as in chicken-on-a-raft ( egg on toast,), train smash ( streaky bacon and tinned tomatos ) Spithead pheasant ( kipper ) , or babies' heads ( individual steak & kidney puddings ), not forgetting hammyeggycheesey, ( or UITSMIJTER in Holland!! ), and Harry Thickers.

Subject: RE: BS: UK: Is Black Pudding a northern thing?
From: Emma B
Date: 10 Feb 08 - 10:30 AM

I think we have a song challenge here!

Black pudding throwing - olympic bid

Subject: RE: BS: UK: Is Black Pudding a northern thing?
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 10 Feb 08 - 11:01 AM

Hog's Pudding aka Mealy Pudding in Scotland, where we know how to make proper black puddings, without those nasty lumps of white fat in them.


I used to eat a dish in Portugal known as Papas Sarrabulho, which was made with pigs blood, and other goodies. Very warming it was too in the winter months.

G ¦¬]

Subject: RE: BS: UK: Is Black Pudding a northern thing?
From: Emma B
Date: 10 Feb 08 - 11:19 AM

Torta Di Sangue Di Maiale

almost enough to put you off chocolate!

Subject: RE: BS: UK: Is Black Pudding a northern thing?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 10 Feb 08 - 11:31 AM

It's a basic Irish foodstuff too, of course.

I believe that it goes under different names in other parts of the world. For example "scrapple" in Pennsylvania.

Subject: RE: BS: UK: Is Black Pudding a northern thing?
From: Rapparee
Date: 10 Feb 08 - 11:38 AM

Nah, scrapple isn't black pudding. For one thing, scrapple isn't made with blood. Here's my Uncle's recipe for panhaus, which is a form of scrapple. Instead of ham you can use bits of pork from the head or 'most anywhere where you can get bits of pork too small to use for anything else.

Take about a cup of cornmeal, put it in a pan of cold water and stir it somewhat. Put this aside for the time being.

        Put a couple quarts of water in a pan. Dice small a couple of onions and put into this pan. Toss in ham (cut away as much fat as you can) and, if you wish, a hambone. Cook it all together until the onion is cooked.

        When the onion is cooked, pull out the hambone (if any) and put in the cornmeal, water and all.

        Cook it for a couple or five minutes.

        Put in a cup or two of buckwheat and, while cooking, stir it 'til your arm is going to fall off from stirring. Then stir it some more.

        Pour the now-thick mixture into a loaf pan and let it cool.

        To serve, slice it from the loaf and fry in grease until it is crispy on the outside -- has a crispy crust.

        The more ham the better -- cracklings are traditional, "but they're nothin'."

        Play with the recipe 'til you get it to where you like it.

        The corn meal is needed to make the loaf slice well. Don't put the corn meal into the hot water first or you'll have doughballs. Follow the recipe.

Now that recipe has been in my family for at least 75 years, so y'all respect it, okay?

Subject: RE: BS: UK: Is Black Pudding a northern thing?
From: Bert
Date: 10 Feb 08 - 12:50 PM

We used to be able to buy it in any butcher's in London.

Subject: RE: BS: UK: Is Black Pudding a northern thing?
From: Little Robyn
Date: 10 Feb 08 - 01:23 PM

We can buy it in almost any supermarket here in New Zealand!
But you have to find an old-time butcher if you want white pudding (hog's pudding).
Robyn

Subject: RE: BS: UK: Is Black Pudding a northern thing?
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 10 Feb 08 - 01:24 PM

That's because of all the Scot's you got landed with Robyn :)
We export our cuisine.
G

Subject: RE: BS: UK: Is Black Pudding a northern thing?
From: GUEST,Ed
Date: 10 Feb 08 - 01:52 PM

I was wrong. Thank you for your views.

Subject: RE: BS: UK: Is Black Pudding a northern thing?
From: number 6
Date: 10 Feb 08 - 02:29 PM

The best black pudding I savoured was at the Great Southern Hotel in Galway, Ireland. Of course that was back in the days when I was a carnivore.

biLL

Subject: RE: BS: UK: Is Black Pudding a northern thing?
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 10 Feb 08 - 02:32 PM

The Carnivore is Over?

Subject: RE: BS: UK: Is Black Pudding a northern thing?
From: gnomad
Date: 10 Feb 08 - 02:35 PM

I think you need to distinguish between "Can you buy BP in ..." and "Is BP seen as a part of local cuisine in ..."

While you can get it almost anywhere in the UK (and many other pig-keeping countries will have their own versions) I think it would be fair to say that the north, and especially the northwest, would be the area which would regard it as a regional speciality.

Your true question seems to be are you in the North, now that you are in Derbyshire. To those south of the Wash, you may seem to be so, but what would they know? Tell yourself you are doing missionary work in the badlands of the Midlands border.

I'll get my (borrowed) northern coat, it's hellish foggy on the N.Yorks coast today, and cold for a midlander by birth.

Subject: RE: BS: UK: Is Black Pudding a northern thing?
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 10 Feb 08 - 02:42 PM

6 Nations Black Pudding Championships.
G

Note which country came second!

Subject: RE: BS: UK: Is Black Pudding a northern thing?
From: Folkiedave
Date: 10 Feb 08 - 03:04 PM

What are regarded as the world chamionships (I believe) are held at Mortagne-au-Perche in northern France. In fact get your puddings made - this year's competiton is soon.

NB the picture of them all laid out.

http://www.boudin-mortagne.com/

Subject: RE: BS: UK: Is Black Pudding a northern thing?
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 10 Feb 08 - 03:12 PM

Black pudding (cake) served on Hogmanay here in Alberta (Scots, of course).
All guests must partake.

Subject: RE: BS: UK: Is Black Pudding a northern thing?
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 10 Feb 08 - 03:16 PM

Nah, that's Black Bun mate.
G

Subject: RE: BS: UK: Is Black Pudding a northern thing?
From: Doug Chadwick
Date: 10 Feb 08 - 03:39 PM

….where we know how to make proper black puddings, without those nasty lumps of white fat in them.

I spend my life searching for black pudding that hasn't been got at by the health police and still has those delicious lumps of white fat in it.

It would seem that black pudding can be found all over but I would still put that bought in Bury market above any other.

DC

Subject: RE: BS: UK: Is Black Pudding a northern thing?
From: greg stephens
Date: 10 Feb 08 - 04:56 PM

For what it's worth, I was down in Somerset with the band yesterday and we got offered black pudding for breakfast this morning. Excellent!

Subject: RE: BS: UK: Is Black Pudding a northern thing?
From: GUEST,JTT
Date: 10 Feb 08 - 05:10 PM

Clonakilty black pudding is delicious.

Apart from the south of England, where they went badly wrong for a while there (though they're recovering well now), is there any European country that doesn't have some form of salty spiced blood pudding?

Subject: RE: BS: UK: Is Black Pudding a northern thing?
From: Geordie-Peorgie
Date: 10 Feb 08 - 05:11 PM

Grand stuff!

One thing though!! Mushy peas!! The insipid sh*te ye get in chip shops and in tins these days is an INSULT.

Me Mam would turn in her grave at the taste of it.

The BEST way te mek it is.....

Take the stock that's left when ye boil a joint of bacon.

Tek your hard peas that've soaked in ordinary watter for 24 hours and wrap them tightly in a cloth.

Put the cloth into the stock.

Bring to the boil and simmer for an hour.

Et voila!! Forst class mushy peas

Subject: RE: BS: UK: Is Black Pudding a northern thing?
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 10 Feb 08 - 05:28 PM

Easier to use peas that are grown in the can.

Black bun? Looked more like a cake to me. But I don't know the nomenclature in the UK.

Subject: RE: BS: UK: Is Black Pudding a northern thing?
From: Peace
Date: 10 Feb 08 - 05:59 PM

Sometimes am able to pick it up in the super market. It is variously called blood pudding, blood sausage. It isn't as good as the stuff that was made by my Newfoundland friends, but not bad considering it's a commercial preparation. Don't know if it's a northern thing, but I do know it tastes good and the flavour is increased with Keen's Mustard.

Subject: RE: BS: UK: Is Black Pudding a northern thing?
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 10 Feb 08 - 06:07 PM

Peace, I assumed that black pudding was the same as the black cake served at Hogmanay. My ignorance. I guess I have never eaten the sausage or 'pudding.'

I thought pudding always were deserts.

Subject: RE: BS: UK: Is Black Pudding a northern thing?
From: Peace
Date: 10 Feb 08 - 06:12 PM

It's a long story.

The best I ever had came out like a meatloaf. DE LIC IOUS.

Q, check Safeway. They sometimes carry it. It sounds like it would be gross, but it isn't. Not at all. There is no way I could describe the taste other than to say it's good. It would likely be the sausage, and I think Maple Leaf makes it. If you ask at the meat counter they'd be able to direct you to it or get some for you. It runs at about $5.00/pound.

Subject: RE: BS: UK: Is Black Pudding a northern thing?
From: Peace
Date: 10 Feb 08 - 06:12 PM

PS I could and have eaten it three or four times per week.

Subject: RE: BS: UK: Is Black Pudding a northern thing?
From: Peace
Date: 10 Feb 08 - 06:17 PM

Oh, yeah. I prefer to fry it when it's sausage, but if you get commercial stuff, the sausage itself has a skin on it. That should come off before frying.

Subject: RE: BS: UK: Is Black Pudding a northern thing?
From: Anne Lister
Date: 10 Feb 08 - 06:18 PM

Q - There are other savoury puddings in the UK and Ireland - steak and kidney pudding comes to mind first of all, but there are more. The word pudding itself possibly derives from the French word "boudin" which is, of course, the word used for their black pudding, and so we come around again.

For our wedding weekend, some friends from Cork brought quite a quantity of Clonakilty black pudding to help with catering for breakfasts. We failed miserably at the task of eating the lot and had to give away loads to various friends and relations, as we knew we were about to go away on honeymoon. *sigh*

Anne

Subject: RE: BS: UK: Is Black Pudding a northern thing?
From: Rapparee
Date: 10 Feb 08 - 06:53 PM

Eatin' boudins. (Scroll down to the photo labeled "Boudin lunch.jpg", click on it to enlarge it.)

Subject: RE: BS: UK: Is Black Pudding a northern thing?
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 11 Feb 08 - 03:07 AM

In a shop on't banks of th'Irwell,
Owd Sam used to follow his trade,
In a place tha'll 'ave heard of called Bury,
Tha knows, where't black puddings is made.

Subject: RE: BS: UK: Is Black Pudding a northern thing?
From: julian morbihan
Date: 11 Feb 08 - 04:56 AM

Depends on how you define north.

I live in Brittany which is the north-west of France and we have have lovely black pudding called boudin noir...

Subject: RE: BS: UK: Is Black Pudding a northern thing?
From: Folkiedave
Date: 11 Feb 08 - 05:06 AM

Slight error in the recipe for mushy peas - it should read

Take the stock that's left when ye boil a joint of bacon. Tek your hard peas that've soaked in ordinary watter for 24 hours and wrap them tightly in a cloth. Put the cloth into the stock. Bring to the boil and simmer for an hour.

Then chuck the bag away and drink the juice. :-)

Subject: RE: BS: UK: Is Black Pudding a northern thing?
From: David C. Carter
Date: 11 Feb 08 - 05:30 AM

We get boudin noir and boudin blanc here in Paris.

I don't know what's in it,and I ain't aiming to find out.

But I like it.
And we can get haggis.Great stuff!

D

Subject: RE: BS: UK: Is Black Pudding a northern thing?
From: GUEST,Monique
Date: 11 Feb 08 - 06:01 AM

We get boudin noir, boudin blanc and spicy "boudin créole" (black) in Southern France and Spanish have their own black pudding called morcilla.

Subject: RE: BS: UK: Is Black Pudding a northern thing?
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 11 Feb 08 - 06:05 AM

The Spanish are reputed to eat every part of a pig, except the squeak.

G

Sorry Liz!

Subject: RE: BS: UK: Is Black Pudding a northern thing?
From: GUEST,Elfcall
Date: 11 Feb 08 - 06:23 AM

I too prefer boudin noir (with onion, or apple or Antillaise - probably the same as Monique's creole) although I will happily eat black pudding. I'm a midlander so I do not know where that leaves me on the black pudding geographical map.

IIRC there is a also a 'soft' black pudding made on the West Coast of Ireland - and the word 'Disheen' keeps coming to mind - but not sure if I have this right. Although I have spent a lot of time there, mainly in Clare, I have never seen it for sale or on a menu- perhaps I have made it up!

Elfcall

Monique or David - In French markets I have often seen sausages for sale made from horse meat - do you know the best way to cook these, or the traditional way they should be cooked? Thanks

Subject: RE: BS: UK: Is Black Pudding a northern thing?
From: Emma B
Date: 11 Feb 08 - 06:33 AM

Disheen is a favourite in the English Market in Cork as are crubeens (pigs' feet)!

Subject: RE: BS: UK: Is Black Pudding a northern thing?
From: greg stephens
Date: 11 Feb 08 - 06:49 AM

Drisheen, with an r, in Cork I think.

Subject: RE: BS: UK: Is Black Pudding a northern thing?
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 11 Feb 08 - 06:54 AM

Drisheen

G