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Ploughman’s; is there a better luncheon?

January 9, 2013 By All That I'm Eating 29 Comments

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.
ploughmans selection

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.

ploughmans close up
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.
ploughmans cheese
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?

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Filed Under: Bread, Cheese, Dairy & Eggs, January, Lunch, Recipes By Month, Seasons, Winter Tagged With: bread, Cheese, lunch

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Comments

  1. AvatarJenny @ BAKE says

    January 9, 2013 at 13:56

    I LOVE a ploughmans for lunch! and it’s so good as a buffet too!

    Reply
  2. AvatarMich Piece of Cake says

    January 9, 2013 at 14:22

    That looks like one wonderful sandwich. Never had that but I would love to… say teriyaki chicken?

    Reply
  3. Avatarawholeplotoflove says

    January 9, 2013 at 15:15

    It looks like a very posh ploughmans, very tasty I bet.

    Reply
  4. AvatarMarmaduke Scarlet says

    January 9, 2013 at 15:27

    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!

    Reply
  5. AvatarBeck Willis says

    January 9, 2013 at 16:22

    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

    Reply
  6. AvatarBelinda @zomppa says

    January 9, 2013 at 17:49

    Not really – mind if I come over??

    Reply
  7. AvatarMark Willis says

    January 9, 2013 at 19:35

    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.

    Reply
  8. AvatarAngie's Recipes says

    January 9, 2013 at 19:57

    Cheese and rocket leaves would be my choice.

    Reply
  9. AvatarAlida says

    January 9, 2013 at 20:22

    WOW so much goodness.Looks like a lunch from heaven.Yummy!

    Reply
  10. AvatarNavaneetham Krishnan says

    January 9, 2013 at 20:33

    Something new but sounds and looks very interesting.

    Reply
  11. Avatarkale says

    January 9, 2013 at 21:50

    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!

    Reply
  12. Avatarbecky3086 says

    January 9, 2013 at 21:51

    Yours looks pretty good to me!

    Reply
  13. Avatarlaura@howtocookgoodfood says

    January 9, 2013 at 22:01

    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!

    Reply
  14. AvatarMedeja says

    January 9, 2013 at 22:30

    It always depends on what I have in the frigde, just like with pizza 😀

    Reply
  15. AvatarPaula @ Vintage Kitchen says

    January 10, 2013 at 01:04

    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!

    Reply
  16. AvatarThe View From The Table says

    January 10, 2013 at 09:52

    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..

    Reply
  17. AvatarAlicia Conway says

    January 10, 2013 at 13:43

    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.

    Reply
  18. AvatarJenn Kendall says

    January 10, 2013 at 15:32

    i love lunches like this! it feels so fun and casual but oh so delicious. and now i’m totally wanting one right now.

    Reply
  19. AvatarThe Squishy Monster says

    January 10, 2013 at 17:03

    I’ve never been and now I can’t stop thinking about it! Idk if there is a better lunch…probably not 🙁 boooo, lol

    Reply
  20. Avatarthe food dude says

    January 11, 2013 at 00:59

    Awesome spread, I wouldn’t mind having a Ploughman’s lunch right now…

    Reply
  21. AvatarCass @foodmyfriend says

    January 12, 2013 at 07:14

    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!

    Reply
  22. AvatarJoanne says

    January 12, 2013 at 12:30

    I should totally do clean-out-the-fridge lunches like this more often! Although “ploughman’s” sounds much cooler.

    Reply
  23. AvatarSweet Life says

    January 12, 2013 at 13:30

    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!

    Reply
  24. AvatarMaggie says

    January 13, 2013 at 21:54

    I love ploughman’s lunch but always push the chutney to one side (I can’t eat chutney for anyone). Are we all invited?

    Reply
  25. Avatarlena says

    January 14, 2013 at 00:09

    i’ve never tried pickles to go with bread..that sounds good!

    Reply
  26. AvatarJacqueline @Howtobeagourmand says

    January 14, 2013 at 09:14

    Crusty French bread and strong tangy cheddar is a star in itself – the pickle just heightens the experience.
    Like your international twist!

    Reply
  27. AvatarPetra says

    January 14, 2013 at 14:23

    it looks like a great ploughmans, and pickle beetroots sounds like an interesting addition, must try it!

    Reply
  28. AvatarHomeandfood says

    January 17, 2013 at 21:35

    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!

    Reply
  29. Avataramy @ fearless homemaker says

    January 18, 2013 at 15:52

    This is one of my favorite lunches or dinners – so easy to put together, but SOOOO delicious. Now I’m craving that for lunch!

    Reply

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Hello I’m Caroline

All That I'm EatingWelcome to my site All That I’m Eating. You will find inventive recipes using seasonal and foraged ingredients as well as everyday easy meals and a few indulgent recipes too.

I believe humble food doesn’t have to be hum drum so whether you’ve oodles of onions, superfluous sausages or apples aplenty I hope you enjoy having a look around.

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