Marmite Part II: One year later
japra | Mar 17, 2009 | Comments 25
Well, after stumbling across a stray jar of Marmite in my pantry yesterday, I decided that it was a sign that I needed to try it again.
It seems the secret to eating Marmite is butter. Emm said to add “as much (butter or margarine) as possible”. The other part of the Marmite equation is to only use a little bit: Lilly said “just a scrape” and Dorothy said to spread on “only the tiniest amount”. And how do you eat Marmite? Tawny says she eats it on crackers, Elizabeth and Louise eat theirs on buttered crumpets, and Akelamalu, bless her, has hers as a drink and in gravy (which does seem good now that I think about it)!
So, for my second and more sincere taste of Marmite, I decided I needed ease into it by using it as a flavour enhancer. In other words, hide it underneath a bunch of other strong flavours.
I made this Ploughman’s Sarnie from the Marmite “LOVE IT” site. This time I didn’t gag. I didn’t even spit it out. In fact, I ate every crumb and forgot to save some for the dog to try.
Yum! It was really good. I forgot to add the mustard, but I didn’t miss it. I couldn’t taste the Marmite at all here! I think it just added a bit of extra saltiness to the sandwich. I was a little worried that maybe I was cheating myself of the Marmite experience, though. I was enjoying this sandwich a bit too much.
Do you think maybe I didn’t add enough? This is a serious question.
Anyway, bolstered by my success, I decided brave it out and try Marmite on toast. This would make me hardcore, right? It actually wasn’t bad! But again, I was eating this after the very potent Ploughman’s Sarnie (strong onion flavour). I was a bit worried that perhaps I wasn’t experiencing the “real deal”.So, this morning, I tried it again. Yes, I did! And I put a tad bit more on. And I was able to eat it with only a smidgen of hesitation. Did I like it? Yes! In fact I liked it so much, I had two pieces of toast with the stuff on it.
Conclusion? It’s not bad, especially when eaten with butter and if you sort of steel yourself for that kick of salt. I am not sure I can be lumped into the “Love It” category just yet, but I have to say I am definitely out of the Marmite haters club.
And speaking of sandwich spreads, here’s a British delicacy that I really do love on my sandwiches: Branston Small Chunk Pickle. Wikipedia says it is sweet and spicy with a chutney-like consistency, containing small chunks of vegetables in a thick brown sticky sauce. It is commonly served as part of a ploughman’s lunch, a once common menu item in British pubs. If you can’t find this in your grocery or specialty market, you could try to make your own.Are there other British foods that you think I should try? I am of course thinking about our (possible) limited time here and want to get in as much tasting as I can. On my mind right now is Cheese and Onion pie. Barbara blogged about it a while ago, and I’ve been wondering what it is. I’ve looked up recipes for it. Sometimes it’s made in a tart tin, sometimes in a pie plate. Some recipes have potato. Some just cheese and onion. Apparently it is a “school food” favourite. Anyone have a recipe they’d care to share? I’ve had a cheese and onion pasty before. Is it similar to that?
About the Author: JaPRA is an expat Texan living in England with her husband (Mr. DJ), their 17-year old daughter (Roxi), and their dog Trudy.
I was about to ask you if you’d ever tasted piccalilli but I think it is a major part of hot beef sandwiches which are a New York delicacy, aren’t they?
This was the most awesome post by the way – I giggled the whole way through!
Marmite, you either love it or hate it. I love it. And branston Pickle? Wow, I love this post, I really do love it. Many thanks.
Greetings from London.
Mmm, I love marmite – spread thickly (seriously!) on toast and on muffins! The Australian vegemite just doesn’t taste the same and they have a spread also called ‘Marmite’ that is disgusting! You can buy good old British marmite from a few places in Sydney but it’s very expensive. Your post has made me crave it, so I may just cave in and buy a jar!!
Roz
http://lifeinaustralia.today.com
http://craftsonabudget.blogspot.com
loved your marmite experience, and cheese and onion pie sounds so good…mmm.
I’ve always hesitated on the marmite experience because I worried that eating too much of it might cause a drop in the marmot population.
I mean, that IS what marmite is made of, right?
But you’ve convinced me to try it. I really like a good sprinkle of yeast on my movie theatre popcorn – have you ever had that? (No, I am not joking, it is yummy.)
And you need to check out
http://www.marmite.co.uk/love/
Emm–I don’t think I’ve ever had piccalilli! I hope you’ll blog about it if you have it this summer. :-)
A Cuban in London–Thanks! I’m getting there. Haha!
Roz–Hello, welcome! A thick layer, eh? I have a lot of catching up to do! I always wondered what vegemite was…
Christine–I know! I left a message on Barbara’s blog asking if she has a recipe. I’d love to try it. I like cheese and onion pasties.
Fantastic Forrest–You’re funny :-) I can’t imagine sprinkling yeast on popcorn. But I’ll try it next time! Did they have sweet popcorn in the theatres in Ireland? I like to get that sometimes.
Oh! Cool – well maybe I’ll make a sandwich first on the weekend with piccalilli on.
I had no idea there were so many..interesting…food choices in England. I don’t know if I will ever experience much beyond scones. I have had a time of it trying to get the troops to eat those as it is. I keep saying “It’s biscuits…with sugar!”
Julia
The yeast shakers are only in the funkier little theatres in Portland, I’ve found. You can read more about the nutritional benefits of my bizarre practice here:
http://www.idealbite.com/tiplibrary/archives/nature-yeast
Sweet popcorn – can’t recall any in Ireland, but I have had – and enjoy – it. We call it kettle corn. It’s available at fairs and farmers markets and even in microwave packets at the grocers.
FF–Interesting! So is the yeast you put on popcorn the same as baking yeast? I liked the “cheesy, nutty flavor” part. And re the sweet popcorn: I once (in the US) tried the microwave kind and thought it tasted not so good. I’m a big fan of caramel popcorn, so I think that is what I was expecting. I do like sweet popcorn now, though.
Good for you!!!
So glad you now like Marmite – it makes dull sandwiches much better!
When I was at boarding school we had a super breakfast called
“Marmite Dreams” which were really French toast but with Marmite spread on the bread before it was dipped in the batter. YUM!!
Picallili is good too
as is Branston pickle.
Steak and kidney pie?
Patum anchovy paste (hard to get.Fortnums I think).
Aha before you know it you’ll LOVE marmite!
Branston Pickle is good too. You’ve never had Piccallili? You don’t know what you’re missing gal. A cheese sandwich with piccallili on is delicious.
Cheese and onion pie is delicious too. Made as a plate pie using shortcrust pastry – just fry some onion (not brown just golden) add grated cheddar cheese and bake the mixture in a pie – lovely.
I’m going to try that pickle. Hope its spicy enough for my Indian tastebuds :-)
Thanks for sharing your discoveries. Love them!
I have a Marmite recipe book – no lie! It’s great to add in soup, like a boullion. But Branston Pickle – OMG. Lurrve it.
Is that a haggis lurking behind the jar of Branston Pickles?
The Branston Pickle recipe sounds sort like a chutney-fied relish. Probably delish! I happen to love Vlasic’s extra spicy bread and butter pickles. mmmmMimsy
Emm–I sense a blog post coming up…
Julia–My daughter was the pickiest eater all her life until we moved here. Almost as soon as we touched down, she was eating all sorts of new food!
Laurie–LOL! Shall I bring you a bottle for Christmas?! (insert evil laugh)
Elizabeth–Thank you for the list! I'm going to try all of it :-)
Akelamalu–Next time I'm at the grocery I'll look for Piccallili. Thanks for the cheese and onion pie recipe! It sounds sinfully rich. Must try it at the weekend.
Ash–Don't think it's too spicy. I so love the Indian hot pickles. My mouth is watering just thinking about them. Mmmm.
Expat Mum–We gave one of those Marmite cookbooks to someone (as a joke) for Christmas. Turned out he LOVED Marmite and the book, so the joke was on us ;-) Now I'm wondering if you can get Branston pickle in the US?
Pigtown-Design–Oh, no. I knew someone was going to bring that up! Still working up the nerve, friend.
Mimsy–I knew there was a reason we were friends. Love B&B pickles.
I don’t know if I’ll have any luck here in Spain but I’m definitely going to try and find some marmite. Both the post and all of the comments have got me really curious about it!
Xoan-Wahn–Too funny! I think you are somewhere in Madrid, right? The first one on this list looks promising ;-) Hope you’ll report back if you decide to try it! And I’d love to hear about some Spanish food (and recipes too if you can get them!!).
I made pickled onions for some of our friends at Xmas — because they said how much they loved them. (I’m afraid to try them!)
Bee–I am sure they were delicious. You’re such a good cook! But I can’t believe you didn’t try them :-(
Glad to see a link for Branston making. That is one of my faves and I thought about bringing it back but then those glass jars in suitcases…
For me a memory of Branston is with Caerphilly cheese on a brown bap.
Things to try
Scotch eggs
Fish pie
Old Peculiar beer
Potted shrimp
There was little continental food in the North when we lived there so it was more good basic English food. Damn good natural ingredients then.
Our daughter loves Marmite. She used to it it straight from the jar!
I recommend Picalilli too :)
American in Britain, I am impressed with your daughter! That Marmite is strong stuff! Do you like it?
I finally tried picalilli on a sandwich in York. It was good!! Anything else you think I should try before I leave?