The Sunday roast in England is an institution (in case that definition is unclear to you, I did in fact wiki it and I think it is quite good ... Click here. )"An institution is any structure or mechanism of social order and cooperation governing the behavior of a set of individuals within a given human community. Institutions are identified with a social purpose and permanence, transcending individual human lives and intentions, and with the making and enforcing of rules governing cooperative human behavior."
Read it a couple times ... eventually it sinks in. What it means is - exactly why we say it - is that this event is engrained in the very fiber of the culture ... everyone knows it, everyone does it, no questions asked, and it is oh so good. Like apple pie ... every Sunday afternoon.
A roast ... tender slow cooked meat, potatoes soft in the middle, crispy outside, carrots not too mushy, and the graaaaaaaavy. Hm hm. In addition, in the UK they add some cabbage and turnips, and it is critical that the "Yorkshire pudding" is sitttin' on the side to lap up the gravy (of which there just never is enough, right?)
During this exploratory experience I was informed that Yorkshire pudding is "nothing more than baked pancake batter". Well, I actually think I prefer it baked!
Yu-um. Now this is an institution I just may be able to check in to.
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