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Add Gingernuts to your Downton Holiday Sweet Table

10 Tuesday Dec 2013

Posted by in *About the Show, Afternoon Tea, Dessert

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Its looking a lot like Christmas at Highclere Castle

Its looking a lot like Christmas at Highclere Castle 

It started in the last half of November.  The songs which I detest at other times of the year were finally getting a listen on my iPhone on my commute to the office.  ”Christmas Time is Here!” slowly started to get me into the spirit of the Season.  This past week I created a new playlist of all my favorite holiday songs to send me into overdrive.  I was also organizing our company annual Winter Wonderland event so it really got me into the spirit of things and now the Season is in full gear. Holiday decorations in the stores which were annoying right after Halloween are now really pretty.  At home, my baking has increased, the fruitcakes are getting a shot of rum every week, all leading up to our annual family gathering is coming up this weekend.  Lord C has been kind enough to host the last few family celebrations, but a very British Christmas is Lord D and mine to host this year.

This week’s holiday dish is a good one for those who love ginger but don’t have the time or patience to roll out and cut and decorate gingerbread cookies.  Gingernuts, the English version of ginger snaps is a traditional favorite cookie, this and any other time of year.

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A Very Downton Holiday Includes Mince in Your Baking

03 Tuesday Dec 2013

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PBS now sells holiday oranaments

PBS now sells holiday ornaments

Not a Downton fan was stirring across the PBS network Sunday night as all eyes were riveted to the Return To Downton special.  Susan Sarandon hosted the look back across the three seasons and more importantly a peak at Season 4. Will Mary survive Matthew’s Death, will Downton survive the 1920′s, will Anna and Bates live happily ever after, will Lady Rose stay out of trouble?  So many questions that will be revealed come the launch of Season 4.

In the meantime the holiday season is upon us and a good time to celebrate in true Downton style by serving traditional British holiday sweets.  Stock up on your dried fruits as this week we recap on traditional favorites to add to your holiday trays and a new recipe for healthy easy mince oatmeal squares. 

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Downton’s Drop Scones are Simply Delicious “Pocket” Pancakes

23 Saturday Nov 2013

Posted by in *About the Show, Afternoon Tea, Breakfast, Brunch, Season 4

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Be safe out there this Black Friday

Be safe out there this Black Friday

 

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Downton Downtime Comfort Food: Mince and Tatties

19 Tuesday Nov 2013

Posted by in *About the Show, Main Course, Season 4

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To all the UK fans

To all the UK fans

All around the world, Downton Abbey fans are longing for more, driving each other mad in anticipation of new episodes.  In the UK the taste of Season 4 is still lingering on the palate and there is great anticipation for the annual gathering of family and friends to watch the Christmas episode.  Of course in  North America fans are craving for Season 4 on PBS.  Some affiliates are rebroadcasting previous seasons while others are gathering fans for preview shows.

To help settle everyone’s nerves and for those who enjoy cheering for the downstairs staff, this week’s dish is servants hall comfort food:  mince and tatties.  Simple and satisfying.

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Lest we Forget with Bonnie Cranachan

12 Tuesday Nov 2013

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Monday was Remembrance Day, commemorated across the British Commonwealth.  As you may recall from Season 2 of Downton Abbey, the family and servants gathered on 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month which signified the end of World War I. In the United States it is observed as Veteran’s Day, a day aside to pay tribute to celebrate living veterans who served in the military. In May, Americans remember those soldiers who passed in the service of their country on Memorial Day.  Today I thought the lovely splash of poppy red  in Bonnie Cranachan, a traditional Scottish dessert, was a fitting comfort food.

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Celebrate Bonfire Night with Comfort Foods Like British Flapjacks

02 Saturday Nov 2013

Posted by in *About the Show, Afternoon Tea, Brunch, Season 4, Season 4

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The Guy Mask

The Guy Mask- you may have seen the mask but not know its history.

“Remember, remember the 5th of November, Gunpowder, Treason & Plot. I see no reason why gunpowder, treason should ever be forgot.” Traditional British Rhyme A lesser known holiday to Americans, tonight is Guy Fawkes Day, aka Bonfire Night, celebrated across the United Kingdom marking the failed attempt of Guy Fawkes to blow up English Parliament on November 5, 1605.  Bonfires were set alight on that night when the plot was revealed, celebrating the safety of the King James I and the tradition has continued.  For four hundred years, the anniversary is commemorated fireworks and burning effigies of Guy Fawkes on huge bonfires, and of course lots of warming foods and drinks. Today’s traditional bonfire treat are flapjacks. Flapjacks in the UK are not the same as pancakes.  They are a delicious granola bar which are as addictive as they are nutritious. You can imagine tucking into this treats around the bonfire, sharing insights on this season of Downton with friends, family and neighbors. Continue reading »

Halloween Downton Dining Upstairs with Squash Risotto

29 Tuesday Oct 2013

Posted by in *About the Show, Afternoon Tea, Main Course, Season 4, Side Dish

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Turnip lantern

Turnips were the first jack o lanterns

We are a few days from Halloween. Did you know that Halloween has ancient origins in Ireland? It was originally called Samhain, and the day marked the end of the harvest season for Celtic farmers. Irish immigrants brought their traditions to America and adapted to their new surroundings. Originally, turnips served as Jack o Lanterns, but pumpkins are so much easier to carve.

This week we recap a couple of traditional Irish served at recipes which would have been enjoyed by Branson’s family, but if you like Lady Mary who really doesn’t really do Halloween, your cook can quickly create a quick and lovely orange squash risotto. Continue reading »

Downton Cooking Lesson: Perfecting Your Pumpkin Pie

22 Tuesday Oct 2013

Posted by in *About the Show, Dessert, Season 4

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What is your downton night made of

You don’t have to be watching the latest episodes of Downton Abbey to enjoy a special night with fellow fans.  Granted the UK is currently dining on Season 4, but with fans in over 220 countries, and so many ways to watch from TV to Tablet, it is likely someone is savouring an episode right now with a cuppa.  Lucky us.

crest-centennial-180w

UELAC Centennial Celebration Crest
1914–2014

Big news in our family is that after the tireless efforts of cousin Lady L (her lovely place setting graces the cover of my book) tracing Lord D’s family back 32 generations, we have completed the paperwork to claim him as an Empire Loyalist.  United Empire Loyalists stayed loyal to British Crown during the American Revolution, moving north to settle into free land in British North America (Canada) King George III awarded his loyal subjects.  A certification ceremony will be held in a few weeks and Lord D is so proud that he will be sharing this moment with his Uncle J. who will also be certified. Stay tuned.

Today’s treat is low fat pumpkin pie.  Autumn is in the air and so are those lovely fragrant pumpkin spices.  With US Thanksgiving on the horizon, there is still some time to get in some practice to help you perfect your holiday pie.

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Harvest Time Pumpkin Spices Stimulate our Delicate Downton Senses

15 Tuesday Oct 2013

Posted by in *About the Show, Afternoon Tea, Breakfast, Season 4, Side Dish, The Scullery Sink

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While our American neighbors  celebrated Columbus Day yesterday, Canadians were elbow deep in turkey and all the fixins. Nephew Lord C and his mom Lady J did not fail to disappoint at our family gathering this year with a 20 pound free range turkey and a whopping 8 sides.  With a tribute to the US, we did have a taste of lasagna as a starter. Food coma.

While US Thanksgiving is the jumping off point for the holiday season, our Canadian Thanksgiving triggers pumpkin season for me. Today’s treat is pumpkin bread, a low fat quick bread which fills your home with the smell of those lovely pumpkin spices.

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Downton Cooking Basics: How To Make Creamy Scrambled Eggs

08 Tuesday Oct 2013

Posted by in *About the Show, Breakfast, Season 4

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Tea at the Cadogan

Granny would have had tea Cadogan, serving Afternoon tea since 1887.

It has been an interesting few days in the online world of Downton Abbey.  There is another  plot twist afoot in Season 4, so if you don’t want to know anything about Season 4 before January’s launch, I would strongly advise you stay away from social media for the next three months.

For all fans of Downton I thought you might enjoy travel back to episodes we have all seen and take a cooking lesson in memory of dear Lady Sybil.  Today we learn how to make creamy scambled eggs, fit for the Downton upstairs breakfast room, but easily made in your own Abbey.  Save your milk.  Properly made scrambled eggs are a simple mixture of eggs with a little butter, prepared in a saucepan, not a skillet.

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