Ploughman’s Lunch – or Snack?

Crusty loaf of bread, baguette or ciabatta * butter * selection of British cheese, such as Cheddar, Stilton, Lincolnshire Poacher, Wensleydale, Leicester, Cheshire, Lancashire, Gloucester, Porter Cheese * pickled onions * pickled gherkins * chutney * apples, sliced * tomatoes * spring onions * radishes * ham ( optional) * hard-boiled eggs (optional) * salt * pepper

Ihave always more of a snack than lunch. Nothing special really. It traditionally comprises of just bread, cheese plus pickled onions and chutney. However, I have to admit that in the summer it can be a nice ‘cooler’; plus, there is no need to have any special skills as a cook to prepare this easy lunch. Also, you can add a selection of cold meats, ham, or pâté. It is your lunch after all, and your

You can really make it a tasty and enjoyable dish if you wish so.

Arrange the thickly sliced buttered bread on a large platter, plate or a chopping board. You can also leave the bread unbuttered, and place a

on the side of the platter instead. Cut the cheese and arrange the pieces on the same platter. Put the pickled onions, gherkins and chutney on the side of the platter, the sliced apples, tomatoes, the spring onions, and any other vegetable you like. You can add a few hard-boiled eggs for really big eaters. Slice them in half lengthwise. Don’t for- get to make sure there is salt and pepper available on the table. Then just let everyone from the selection you have carefully prepared. And to drink? A pint of cool beer or cider will go perfectly with this dish.