On a cold winter’s day after having the wind whip around your face for a few hours it is essential to come back to a fantastic lunch. Perhaps a bowl of warm soup and crusty bread, maybe a lovely pasty or pie. For me, there is no better lunch than a ploughman’s. I’m not sure why it’s called as such but I’m guessing it’s something to do with ploughing. Which, incidentally I have tried my hand at before and it’s safe to say I won’t be quitting my day job.
I think I love this as a lunch above all others because it’s so personal. You raid the larder, cupboards and fridge and amass a pile of food on the table that you can dip in and out of at your own leisure. As long as there’s no double dipping mind you. There could be anything on the table that you have hanging around; things that might be boring or dull on their own but when paired with something else transform into an edible adventure.
Anything goes really; meats, pies, cheeses, pickles, chutneys, dips, spreads, salad, apples, celery, bread, rolls and whatever else takes your fancy. With the first selection I tend to go with classic combinations and get more daring as I move through the vast wave of food in front of me. Cheese and apple, ham and pickle are classics of course but a pickled beetroot sandwich is not to be sniffed at.
Mine tend to be of the traditional sort but I bet there are a hundred cuisines that have their own versions. Imagine an Asian inspired one; different marinated meats or vegetables, fresh salad, chillies and nuts. What about one with different smoked salmons, condiments and mustards. So what would you have for your ploughmans?
I LOVE a ploughmans for lunch! and it’s so good as a buffet too!
That looks like one wonderful sandwich. Never had that but I would love to… say teriyaki chicken?
It looks like a very posh ploughmans, very tasty I bet.
Gorgeous! I adore your idea of having an international ploughmans – one day Spanish, the next day Vietnamese – definitely going to do this. Nothing I like more than bread, cheese and pickles!
Anything that involves fresh bread cheese and pickle I am there!To be fair I would put anything in fresh bread my favorite is piling my left over sunday roast diner to into crusty bread! hee hee
Not really – mind if I come over??
Sorry Caroline, but all that stuff – whilst very nice – is NOT a ploughman’s lunch. To the purist, a ploughman’s lunch is bread, cheese and pickles (pickled onions or latterly Branston pickle). One nice interpretation of this has Brie, Cheddar and Stilton cheeses together.
Cheese and rocket leaves would be my choice.
WOW so much goodness.Looks like a lunch from heaven.Yummy!
Something new but sounds and looks very interesting.
for sure one of my favorite ways to eat. somehow something that seems like it’d be a mess always ends up so classy! it’s fun and unpretentious but shows off each ingredient so well. great post!
Yours looks pretty good to me!
Having just got back from France, mine would have to have a French twist. Jambon, Fromage, cornichons, salade et beurre. Still a ploughman’s though!
It always depends on what I have in the frigde, just like with pizza 😀
Here is one of the most common things in the afternoon with a beer. We do the very italian version with salami, cheeses, olives, etc. It´s the best thing!
Oh, I think I know what I’m having for lunch today! I have some leftover Spanish omlette in the fridge so I think I’ll add that to mine..
Everything looks sooo tasty. You’ve inspired me to have a similar breakfast tomorrow.
I have interesting tips for food lovers here:
Efficient eating
By the way, I followed you up with GFC, it’d be great if you follow me back.
i love lunches like this! it feels so fun and casual but oh so delicious. and now i’m totally wanting one right now.
I’ve never been and now I can’t stop thinking about it! Idk if there is a better lunch…probably not 🙁 boooo, lol
Awesome spread, I wouldn’t mind having a Ploughman’s lunch right now…
Ploughmans lunches are the best. Cheese and bread are my favourite combo. I had a good one a few weeks ago.. I get the meat swapped for extra cheese!
I should totally do clean-out-the-fridge lunches like this more often! Although “ploughman’s” sounds much cooler.
I’ve just finished my ploughman’s lunch. I had fresh bread, home-made salame (remember I’m from Italy?!?) and cheese and a tasting glass of white wine!
I love ploughman’s lunch but always push the chutney to one side (I can’t eat chutney for anyone). Are we all invited?
i’ve never tried pickles to go with bread..that sounds good!
Crusty French bread and strong tangy cheddar is a star in itself – the pickle just heightens the experience.
Like your international twist!
it looks like a great ploughmans, and pickle beetroots sounds like an interesting addition, must try it!
I’m obsessed with the idea of a “perfect English lunch”
Ploughmans has gotta be it.
It’s such a joy to hunt out your favourite cheeses, breads, meats, pickles, chutneys, pâtés and vegetables.
Such a joy, and so if your post.
All the best, and a happy new year!
This is one of my favorite lunches or dinners – so easy to put together, but SOOOO delicious. Now I’m craving that for lunch!