It's soft, chewy, squoosy... it's Malt Bread

My husband went to England with the goal of gaining weight. Yes, gaining. Yay.

Even though he did not grow up on its carby-meaty-goodness, and regardless of its bad rep, my husband loves British food. Cream buns, bangers and mash, marmite, steak and kidney pie... and now malt bread.

I had forgotten about this heavy, moist, sweet and raisiny delight I loved in my childhood. First, you have to try to cut a slice without squashing it into a condensed brown slab - impossible - then slather it with full cream butter and swill it down with a mug of hot tea and... mmmm!

Apparently other ex-pats crave the taste of their childhood. When I Googled "malt bread," at least two results came back from former Brits wondering how to get it or at least find a recipe. When I find Golden Syrup and fresh yeast state-side I will attempt to make a loaf or two, but meanwhile my husband and I will be fighting over the butt end of the solitary loaf we brought back with us.

I should mention that despite the XL portion of fish and chips eaten on the beach, cheese and onion pasties, and multiple pints of ale, my husband did not gain any weight. How? By doing the other thing Brits know how to do better than Americans (ahem) - we walked everywhere!

Day one: AM: down the lane and along the estuary. PM: all around the town (Newton Abbot) where all homes, stores and restaurants are in one area.

Day two: AM: along a river and around a country estate (Dartington). PM: contra-danced at my aunt's birthday bash.

Day three: on Dartmoor and around the village below (Widdecombe).

Day four: AM: around and around a castle ruin (Berry Pomeroy). PM: along the beach (Teignmouth).

Day five: all over another town (Exeter), its central green, cathedral, shopping streets, and along its river.

Day six: AM: along the beach and around the shops of another coastal town (Sidmouth).

Whew!

And that's how I got away with eating toasted tea cakes, very milky coffee (with full cream sometimes), Cadbury's chocolate, pork pie with mustard mashed potato, lamb curry, and ice cream with a chocolate flake, and drinking shandies and cider as if I was, well, English.

Damn, I think my jeans shrunk...