Thursday, August 2, 2012

Biscuits? Flapjacks? I want a cookie! (and other quirks of the "English" language)

Project 4: The Biscuit Monster?

So on this little jaunt to England we have come across some fun differences between the "American" english language and the "English" english language.  Now, I guess since they were the original developers of the language theirs is the proper (proppah) way to say things but that is neither here nor there.  Differences are what makes the world fun!  As the song goes, you say to-MAY-to, I say to-MAH-to...or the other way around, whatever!!  Here are a few more fun differences and a great recipe for Flapjacks (and NO, they are not pancakes)

Biscuits = cookies            Bun = muffin          chips = fries
jumper = sweater            nappy = diaper         crisps = chips
loo = bathroom              wardrobe = closet       boot = car trunk
lift = elevator                spanner = wrench        queue = line
mobile = cell phone         lorry = truck       headmaster = principal

     Flapjacks = delicious bar cookie made from oats :)


For the recipe you will need:
  • 1 stick of unsalted butter (I used salted, it was fine)
  • 1/4 cup Golden Syrup - this is from England and came in a cute little tin but I think Dark Karo syrup is maybe the same thing?
  • 1/2 cup golden brown sugar ( I used dark. I'm a rebel.)
  • 2 1/3 cups quick cooking oats (not instant or old fashioned)
  • pinch of salt ( I used salted butter and added the salt - oops, oh well they were still delicious)
Preheat oven to 350' or whatever the celsius equivalent is. 
1. Butter (heavily) an 8x8 metal baking pan.  HEAVILY
2. Combine first 3 ingredients in medium saucepan and stir   constantly until everything is dissolved and smooth.
3.  Remove from heat and add oats and salt. Stir until coated.
4.  Transfer to pan and spread in even layer.  Taste a little to see how yummy it is even at this stage :)
5.  Bake until top is golden = about 20 mins.
6.  Cool on rack for 5 mins and then score into pieces.
7.  Let cool completely and then, depending on how heavily you greased your pan, either serve in nice triangle pieces or as a pile of yummy and delicious crumbs.  Either way they were SOOO GOOD!

An interesting note, if you noticed on the ingredients picture there was a white flag with a red cross, that is the flag of England.  Most often the flag associated with England is the Union Flag (aka Union Jack)but that is the flag of the United Kingdom, which includes England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.  I had never seen the St. George's Cross flag before and I'll bet many of you haven't either...interesting huh?
Flag of England.  St. George's Cross


Flag of Great Britain.  The Union Flag