My childhood favourite is mum's shepherd's pie, Yorkshire pudding, and roasted potatoes.
Gordon Ramsay about Yorkshire Pudding
Whether you're a world-renowned chef or an average Joe, if you're from the UK, it's almost guaranteed that you like or love Yorkshire pudding. A signature national dish from England, Yorkshire pudding is so popular amongst the Brits that there's even a Yorkshire Pudding Day!
If you didn't know, National Yorkshire Pudding Day is celebrated on the first Sunday of February every year and next year, 2024, it's going to be the 4 of February.
Having commenced in 2007, British Yorkshire Pudding Day is a moment in the year to celebrate one of the UK's most typical dishes. On Yorkshire Pudding Day, Brits, and foreigners, can become familiar with the history of the "dripping pudding", they can bake some at home to take part in the occasion, try one out for dinner at a local pub, or follow the trends on social media.
Therefore, to commemorate Yorkshire Pudding Day, an event that all food-loving Brits should care about, in today's article, we shall consider the history and origins of Yorkshire pudding, some other traditional British dishes, the number of calories in a Yorkshire pudding, and whether or not it's possible to find vegan "dripping" pudding options.
What is the History of Yorkshire Pudding?
Similar to a baked roll or a French "pâté a choux,", Yorkshire pudding has a spongey texture that resembles that of a pancake; they are made from a batter of eggs, flour, and milk or water that is put into the oven in a tin at the right temperature.
It's hard to find a food item that dates back as long as Yorkshire pudding. How's that? Well, it's important to state that the first mention of "dripping pudding", the predecessor of Yorkshire pudding was served and first mentioned in 1737 by Sir Alexander William George Cassey in his book The Whole Duty of a Woman.
Early chefs of "dripping pudding" claimed that it was similar to pancake batter and that it was the perfect thing to cook while the meat was cooking in the oven; therefore, it inevitably became a side for roasts.
Nevertheless, it wasn't until 1747 that the name "Yorkshire pudding" was established when Hannah Glasse included it in her book titled The Art of Cookery Made Plain and Easy. It's worth stating that although its name is Yorkshire pudding, there are no specific records that show that it was first created in the region of Yorkshire; however, many historians claim that it came from the North of England.
Perhaps it's called Yorkshire pudding because North England is associated with coal and higher temperatures which helped to make the batter crisper.
The puddings from the past weren't as puffy or spongey as it is today but that doesn't make it any less delicious and well-liked by Brits.
Traditional English Food
While Yorskhire pudding is one of the most popular British cuisine items to try while in the UK or to make at home, there are so many other traditional English dishes that are worth your time. Such as?
Take a look at the following list to learn more about the top ten dishes of traditional English food:
- Fish & Chips: there's more stereotypically English than some fish & chips with a pint. Found everywhere in the UK, fish & chips are the perfect British comfort food.
- Bangers and Mash: another word for sausages, "bangers" are served with mashed potatoes, gravy, and some peas to create the classic dish known as "Bangers and Mash."
- Steak and Kidney Pie: don't let the word "kidney" turn you away from trying a savoury Steak and Kidney pie. A classic UK-based dish that is the result of a combination of beef steak, kidney, fried onion, gravy, and topped with a buttery pastry.
- Shepherd's Pie: a dish that is also enjoyed in other countries such as the United States and Canada, Shepherd's pie utilises minced lamb, thinly sliced vegetables such as carrots, tomatoes, onions, and mashed potatoes on the top. Some homecooks put some cheese on the top of the pie to add another layer of flavour.
- Toad in the Hole: though the name seems extremely bizarre, toad in the hole is practically sausages in Yorkshire pudding batter. It's often served with gravy, potatoes, and some vegetables.
- Sunday Roast: not only appreciated on Sundays, a Sunday Roast is a typical homecooked meal that consists of roast meat such as beef, chicken, lamb, or pork that is served with veggies and potatoes.
- Full English Breakfast: a fantastic meal for brunch lovers, Full English Breakfast is salty and greasy yet simply delicious. Featuring bacon, sausages, eggs, baked beans, toasts, mushrooms, tomatoes, hashbrowns, and black puddings, a Full English Breakfast is something worth trying.
- Trifle: a sweet dessert that is full of textures and made by loading layers of pudding into a glass container and then covering it all with whipped cream, trifle is a popular UK-based dessert that can be found at coffee shops and tea houses in major cities and towns such as London.
- Scones: crunchy and hard on the outside yet moist and spongey on the inside, scones are a fantastic accompaniment to afternoon tea. To make them a bit more dedacent, the English add some jam and cream to the scones.
- Yorkshire Pudding: last but definitely not least, Yorkshire pudding is a fundamental English food that can either be served as an appetizer, with the main meal or on its own with some onion gravy.
If you're considering the possibility of taking a food tour of UK dishes, you should definitely start with the previously mentioned meals.
How Many Calories in a Yorkshire Pudding?
If you're trying to watch your weight you've probably had to reduce the amount of junk food that you were eating or start calorie counting to ensure that you're staying healthy and avoiding overindulgence. However, a healthy lifestyle doesn't mean you can never eat your favourite foods such as Yorkshire pudding, but rather you just need to eat them less often.
So, for those who are curious let's analyse the nutritional facts of Yorkshire pudding and how many calories are in puds. For instance, the following are some stats that show the nutritional details of most Yorkshire pudding recipes:
- Total Fat: 7.3 grams or 11%
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 grams or 8%
- Trans Fat: 0.1 grams or 22%
- Cholesterol: 65 milligrams or 22%
- Sodium: 135 milligrams or 6%
- Potassium: 77 milligrams or 2%
- Total Carbohydrates: 12 grams or 4%
- Dietary Fiber: 0.3 grams or 1%
- Sugars: 1.6 grams
- Protein: 4.4 grams
- Vitamin A: 3%
- Vitamin C: 0%
- Calcium: 5%
- Iron: 3%
The previously mentioned nutritional facts are based on a single pudding that weighs 65 grams. But, what about the calories? According to our research, by considering multiple recipes, a single Yorkshire pudding has anywhere between 60 and 150 calories. Therefore, if you're making a recipe that yields twelve puds, you can expect a calorie count range of 720 to 1800.
It's possible to reduce the number of calories by finding and following low-fat and low-calorie recipes that feature ingredients such as skimmed milk and healthy oils such as olive or avocado.
Take a look at our informative article about the calories in Yorkshire puddings to learn more about alternative recipes.
Vegan Yorkshire Pudding
Are you a vegan looking for new recipes to try? Do you want to find vegan-friendly cooking guides for your favourite meals or food items such as Yorkshire pudding? If so, you've come to the right place!
Though some might view veganism as restrictive and difficult to follow, it's worth stating that with so many alternative ingredients now available, it's not a strenuous effort to become a vegan. As for making vegan Yorkshire puddings, it can easily be completed by switching ingredients such as milk and eggs for non-dairy alternatives and chickpea water.
It's possible to make regulation size (that are four inches or taller) vegan Yorkshire puddings that are equally delicious and pretty to look at. Take a look at our informative article to learn more about vegan Yorkshire puds and how to make them.
Also, if you're still learning how to make vegan dishes and don't feel comfortable trying new recipes, we recommend purchasing some vegan Yorkshire puddings at your local health food shop or bakery. Some UK based food companies are making vegan Yorkshire pudding options such as Mabel's and Plantside; check out their websites.
In conclusion, if you're thinking of celebrating Yorkshire Pudding Day, we recommend reading this article to brush up on the history of Yorkshire puds and to learn about how to make them in alternative ways so that they can be healthy and, even vegan. Happy eating!
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