Remember, remember
The fifth of November
Gunpowder, Treason and Plot
I see no reason
Why Gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot
Bonfire Night, the 5th of November, used to be a huge holiday in England, commemorating the Gunpowder Plot of 1605, when a group of Catholic rebels led by one Guy Fawkes attempted to blow up Houses of Parliament with Protestant King James attending.
The ‘Remember, remember’ rhyme remains hugely popular, even though Catholics would have probably rather forgotten the failed conspiracy, precisely because it failed.
But history has turned the tables somewhat on them (with no small help from the makers of ‘V for Vendetta’), because ever since then the failed coup has been celebrated throughout the country to this day. People gather to light huge bonfires to burn ‘the Guy’ in: an effigy of whoever gained the most public animus in a given year.
Sadly that cheerfully defiant festivity has been overshadowed by Stateside-imported Halloween, with its commercialised and obesity-inducing trick-or-treating that has replaced going for the ‘penny for the guy’ rounds. After which the ‘guy’ would end up in the bonfire and, standing round it, nothing would taste quite as good as a piece of parkin with a steaming, strong cuppa.
But bonfires too have been dampened by all kinds of fire and safety regulations. Although bizarrely, fireworks have become popular instead. A whizz-bang source of trauma to all the local dogs replacing warming, crackling fire? Hmm.
So we gather round for firework displays, with mulled wine and toffee apples and for such gatherings fitting sustenance needs to be prepared.
I mentioned parkin already so why not start with the sweet? Parkin is gorgeous, spicy and chewy, like a ginger cake on steroids. And if that doesn’t appeal, you can bake a batch of oatmeal lace cookies.
To feed a crowd, round the bonfire or a patio heater (I know which is more nature-friendly), best make a vat of comforting beans with ham hock, a sausage and pear tray bake or, adventurously, Polish-style bigos, a sauerkraut and meat stew. The last is an acquired taste but it might be a surprise hit.
If you feel like making pies, try steak and ale. If not, make a tray of nachos for a clashing cultural vibe. For a cockle-warming vegetarian dish, cheesy lentils are unrivalled. And if it’s a fun treat you’re after, pumpkin fondue will hit the spot.
Make sure you have a tray of potatoes baking in the oven, the simplest and possibly the most welcome fare. Scrubbed and dried, pierced with a fork, then rubbed in oil and sprinkled with salt, King Edward or Deirdre baking potatoes, they should bake directly on a rack of a 200C/400F oven for 45 minutes to an hour, depending on the size, then get wrapped in foil and sit at the bottom of a slightly cooler (150C/300F) oven until desired. And they sure will be: with salt, butter, grated Cheddar or a fancier options of tahini or tomato butter.
Savoury scones are always welcome, as are cheese biscuits. And all the above suggestions can be trumped by one thing and one thing only: pizza!
Happy Bonfire Night!