Every country, nationality, and ethnic group has its own diverse cuisine that is somewhat unique to them, and the Brits are no exception. However, when we speak about British cuisine one must remember that, graphically speaking, we're talking about the UK areas including England, Wales and Scotland. These three areas make up what is known as Great Britain while the whole of the UK includes Northern Ireland as well.
That said British recipes have undergone a complex evolution since the days of the Dark Ages and the subsequent Renaissance period. As Britain was emerging from the post-Catholic period of the mid 17th century, new sources of local ingredients, and a desire to turn Britain's cuisine back to more traditional fare produced a steady change that has evolved into the modern British cuisine of today. Recipes tended to be simple yet hearty; avoiding bold spices and heavy sauces that Brits believed hindered the natural taste of meat and vegetables. There was a special dislike of spices that were favoured by the Holy Roman Empire.
British cuisine was then, and is now, heavily reliant on meats like beef, pork, and lamb, as well as fish and poultry. Potatoes and vegetables are also staples of British cuisine, with the typical dinner meal including both, along with a piece of meat, fish, or poultry. British cooks tend to look for ways to enhance the natural flavour of the entrée, choosing vegetables and beverages that will complement it nicely.
Even as British recipes continued to evolve right into the early part of the 20th century, new innovations in British cuisine were stalled with the onset of World War II. The food rationing which was put in place after the war further hampered new recipes and new ideas about what British food should be.
As foodstuffs became more plentiful, British cuisine began to be affected by outside influences from the Mediterranean region, North America, and India. Immigration to Great Britain brought all sorts of new recipes which combined with standard British fare to create entirely new dishes. One example is chicken tikka masala which was branded as Britain's "true national dish" by the BBC in 2001.
Some of the more well-known British foods include Bubble & Squeak, Toad-in-the-Hole, and the world-famous Fish and Chips. While many parts of the world consider British cuisine to be bland and uninspiring, the Brits themselves love their style of cooking. One visit to Great Britain and you'll understand why. The simplicity of their food allows the natural tastes to come alive without the hindrance of spices and sauces. It is a unique culinary experience that should definitely be sampled if you ever make it to Britain.