622. Black Pudding

Black pudding is one of those foods that can freak some people out a bit. It is after all a sausage made out of pig blood - not the most appealing sounding food. It tastes really pretty good though. The first time I ate it was with roast pork and apple sauce, and I have to say that is still my favourite way to eat it. However this salad was also pretty good. The black pudding was paired with bacon, new potatoes and green salad with a honey mustard dressing and topped off with a poached egg. It was probably just about the least healthy salad in existence (well, except any of the ‘salads’ they sell as McDonalds I suppose), but it sure was a tasty lunch.

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529. Loukanika

Loukanika is Greek sausage. I saw all different types being called it while I was there, and this one was beef, and in terms of taste and texture was kind of like a merguez, which isn’t really to my taste. As far as sausages go, I love proper English sausages and nothing else compares. It is hard to beat a dinner of British pork and apple sausages with loads of creamy mash and thick gravy. Yum. But anyway… back to the Greek food. This sausage was chopped and mixed with chicken, cheese and peppers as a mixed hot mezze.

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I was feeling a little creative, so I decided to make something that was really different to anything I would usually make. I made some sausage meatballs in a 403. Chestnut, mushroom and red wine sauce, and served them with cheesy 404. Polenta. I thought it turned out really well though I don’t think Pie was as keen on it. The chestnuts added a nice nutty flavour which went really well with the sausage and mushrooms. I have had polenta a few times before but always as a solid chunk rather than a wet puree. It was a nice alternative to mash.

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369. Currywurst

Currywurst is Bratwurst, chopped up, mixed with a curry sauce, and sprinkled with 370. Curry Powder. And it was awesome. I had it at the Winter Wonderland where they have a German market. We also had this amazing bread which was hollowed out and filled with molton cheese and bacon (yum) but I think I liked the currywurst even more. I now kind of want to go to Germany just to have some more. Damn sausages being so tasty.

371. Sauerkraut

My flatmate had a bratwurst topped with sauerkraut so I just tried a tiny bit. I was dreading it; I hate pickled stuff, and my fears were realised as it was pretty gross. I just don’t get it. I shall be sticking to having my sausages naked (or with curry sauce).

371 down, 1425 to go

277. Bangers and Mash

I love proper bangers and mash with really good quality British sausages and lovely, creamy mashed potatoes. I had these at a pub in my hometown which is largely famous for its sausage selection. The sausages are huge so you definitely only need 2 but they have a platter where you share with another person and so you can try 4 different types. I frankly don’t even remember exactly what these were. One was duck with port I think, one was a mixed game, and one was definitely 278. Wild Boar Sausage. The wild boar one was my favourite of the bunch as it was just like a regular pork sausage but with a slightly stronger flavour, and it had a little apple in it to give it a really great sweetness.

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258. Scotch Egg

Scotch eggs are one of those things that I have eaten my entire life and never gotten around to making myself. I really should have a go at it sometime as the bought ones can be really good, but I’m sure I could make something better tasting if I picked out good meat and seasonings myself. For those of you who haven’t ever seen one before, they are hard-boiled eggs encased in sausagemeat with breadcrumbs on the outside. Not the healthiest snack by a long way but very very tasty; they are one of my favourite things to take on picnics. As my tastes have changed and I’ve learned more about food, I’ll now only eat the more expensive free-range ones. The quality of the ingredients is much better so it’s worth the extra money. The ones that I’m really desperate to try but haven’t got around to yet are speciality ones they have at Borough Market. I think I shall have to treat myself next time I head down there.

258 down, 1538 to go