The Channel Islands are located in the continent of Europe. It does not have a single official flag because the archipelago is split into two separate Crown Dependencies: Jersey and Guernsey. However; they comprise four main islands, Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney, and Sark.
They have England, Wales, United Kingdom and Scotland to the north, France to the east and far south, the Atlantic Ocean to the south and west, Ireland and Northern Ireland to the northwest.
The capital(s) are Saint Helier for Jersey and Saint Peter Port for Guernsey.
The official languages are English.
The climate is highly variable. Often, but especially from October to April, it is cloudy, chilly, and wet, with strong winds and poor visibility.
The staple foods are mussel, scallops, oysters, lobster, pork and beans, potatoes, cabbage, pork and so much more (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Channel_Islands_cuisine).
ROAST SIRLOIN OF BEEF WITH CREAMY JERSEY ROYALS (https://travelbystove.blogspot.com/2014/05/recipes-from-jersey.html):
- 1 TBSP vegetable oil
- 8 oz. sirloin steaks
- 8 oz. assorted mushrooms (I used white mushrooms and oysters)
- A handful of spinach, washed
- 8 oz. cooked Jersey Royal potatoes, quartered (I used mixed new potatoes)
- 1 C cream
- 4 oz. Parmesan cheese, shaved
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Preheat your oven to 350F.
- Heat the oil in a frying pan and brown the meat on both sides.
- Transfer to an oven-safe and cook until your meat reaches an internal temperature of 125 to 130F (note this is not a safe internal temperature yet-the meat will continue to cook after you take it out of the oven).
- Season the steaks and let them rest while the internal temperature rises (medium-rare which is about 140F).
- Add the mushrooms and potatoes to the same pan you used to cook the steaks (note you will have quartered and boiled the potatoes ahead of time).
- Cook over a medium flame until the potatoes start to for a golden crust.
- Turn down the flame (heat) and add the cream and the Parmesan cheese.
- Once the cheese has melted, toss in the spinach and add salt and pepper to taste.
- The sauce should now be nice and thick.
- Turn off the heat and divide the potato and mushroom mixture amongst plates.
- Slice the beef and serve alongside the potatoes (Can serve the beef over the potatoes for a nice look).
Here is how mine turned out! Very tasty!!!
GUERNSEY BISCUITS (https://guernseydonkey.com/guernsey-biscuits/):
- 1 lb. plain white flour
- 1 oz. fresh yeast
- ½ oz. salt
- 4 oz. Guernsey butter (or lard)
- 8 fl. oz. warm Guernsey milk (or combination of water & milk)
- ½ oz. sugar
- Sieve and mix the salt and flour.
- Cream the butter, yeast & sugar and add the warm milk.
- Leave for ten minutes.
- Mix the creamed butter, milk etc. with the flour and knead it well.
- Cover the bowl and leave to stand in a warm place for 1-1/2 hours to rise.
- Knead the dough again lightly on a floured board and form into round shapes.
- Flatten the balls or roll them into biscuit shapes.
- Place on a greased baking sheet and leave in a warm oven place for 20 minutes.
- Bake in a preheated moderately hot oven (400F) for 20 minutes.
My biscuits were a little brown, but still a great side dish to the sirloin!
GÂCHE MÉLÉE (Guernsey Apple Dessert) (https://www.visitguernsey.com/articles/2020/5-traditional-guernsey-recipes-to-try-at-home/):
- ½ lb. plain flour
- ¼ lb. suet of Guernsey Butter (or lard)
- 1-1/2 lb. apples (peeled, cored and chopped)
- ½ lb.demerara sugar
- ¼ tsp nutmeg
- ¼ tsp cinnamon
- ¼ tsp mixed spice
- ½ teacup of water
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 free range egg
- Rub the butter or suet into the flour until like breadcrumbs.
- Add all the other dry ingredients and apples and mix well.
- Add egg and water and again mix well.
- Place it in a 7-inch square tin and cook in a low oven (250F) for 2 hours until golden brown.
I am not a huge apple fan, but this reminded me of an apple crisp! Very good!!
Travel Global Food 