A Taste of Britain in Our Home

Every once and awhile I like to try and make a proper British meal to please the English taste-buds that live in our home!    I decided to adapt the famous Bangers 'N' Mash.   For those that aren't familiar, it's really sausage with mashed potatoes and gravy! I chose to make an upside down Bangers 'N' Mash casserole...VERY simple!

I made mashed potatoes...this was the most time consuming part.  I was able to multi task by browning the sausages and making the gravy while the potatoes were boiling.

I used Bisto to make the gravy.  Bisto is a staple in most British households.  It's hard to explain what it is.  I think of it as flavored corn starch used to thicken gravies or soups.  It's not easy to find in the U.S., but it is available.













I added some onions to the gravy.  I think this is an important element...you could even add them to the mashed potatoes if you choose.

Once everything was cooked I put it together in a casserole dish.  I butterflied the sausages and laid them on the gravy then covered it all with the mashed potatoes.  It baked for about 20 minutes at 350 degrees. 



I served it on our special London plates.  (These were a steal at Marshalls)
It might not be the most beautiful meal, but it's delicious!!  

For those of you wondering, my plate did have vegetables on it...this one belonged to the vegetable-hating British taste-buds! 

We're Back!

The car excitement has worn off...or maybe it was my constant nagging that Easter is right around the corner...either way we're back!  The wallpaper is down and the paint is up! Going from victorian green striped wallpaper to a bold rustic modern gold (allspice to be exact) caused a bit of nervousness on my part.  I never thought I'd be the one that needed my nerves calmed!

A quick reminder of the old wall....and the first coat of Allspice going on.  (Stay tuned for the final dry paint)


There had been a few discussions on how far we would take the color upstairs.  Since the back stair wall goes the height of the house it is a tricky decorating decision.  It made sense to carry it to the top of that wall but then what about around the corner upstairs?  

Well I ran to the store and came home to a completely painted upstairs!  It was defintely the right decision!  It warmed up the whole hallway...BUT..and that's a big BUT...the carpet!!!!!!!!!!!!  It is green...and I mean green!  

Please excuse the exhausted dog & glaring cat above, they are not sure about this color combination either! They have been discussing what we should replace it with.  Hardwood? Carpet? Risk that there is hardwood under it?  Such decisions...