A ‘Ploughman’s’ lunch was very popular when I was young free and single. I would meet up with a friend at a pub not far from the office for our weekly chat over a Ploughman’s washed down with a soda water & lime juice. Back in those days I would not drink alcohol until the day’s work was over.
I swapped the cheese and butter for the salad items that my friend did not like.
Ploughman’s lunch
lettuce leaves – washed
tomato
cucumber
salad dressing
sharp cheddar cheese
Branston pickles
Wheaten or crusty bread & butter
Break lettuce into bite size pieces, tomato cut into wedges, sliced cucumber. Drizzle salad dressing on top.
Add wedge of cheese, Branston pickle and crusty bread.
I still like that type of lunch when I am here at home, but the contents vary with my mood and the contents of my fridge.
Some of the ingredients I add for variation:
honey roasted ham
pate
chutneys
sweet pepper rings
radishes
spring onions.
olives
gherkins
fresh uncooked peas
grapes
sliced apple, pear or orange segments
walnuts, pecans or pine nuts
sunflower, pumpkin & seseme seeds
croutons
crisps/potato chips
I’ve read many times that the term “Ploughman’s Lunch” was actually a clever marketing device, and that ploughmen never had anything to do with it. There was also a film called “Ploughman’s Lunch” in which a love triangle is discussed over a so-called ploughman’s lunch. Aren’t I a mine of information? 🙂
You are indeed!
I do like a good Ploughman’s Lunch, by the way….
The wonderful thing is that they can be tailored to suit all dietary needs and preferences.
Sounds delicious! Thanks for the idea.
gigi, the nice thing is that you could make a Ploughman’s every day of the week and it would be different depending on what you add to the basic ingredients.
I love constructed lunches boasting a bit of this and a bit of that . . . bread, cheese, fruit, veggies.
Nancy, constructed lunches are some of the best tasty and healthy meals around. I forgot beetroot!
I’ll take the peas for my stir-fry. Chedder cheese…love it and must eat lo-fat Colby these days. Dianne
I would love to be able to eat a good old cheddar cheese.
I don’t think I’d get much afternoon ploughing done if that’s all I had for lunch.
Al, the thing with a Ploughman’s, is that you can make it suit your needs. 😀
Oh we are so on food today, I just posted my famous Northern Italian pasta recipe on FB on request from some of my buddies!!!
Love ploughman’s specials, the duck-fat fries particularly I had in Dub, can’t remember where…
XO
WWW
I was missing most of yesterday – stuck in a sleeve – but very worthwhile and I should soon have something to show for my effort! Now to hunt down your recipe.