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Category Archives: Main Course

Downton Valentine’s Day Man’s Meal: Steamed Lobster Tails in Beer

11 Monday Feb 2013

Posted by in *About the Show, Main Course, Special Occasion

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The happy couple

Mary and Matthew: the happy couple (Carnival Films)

Happy Days.  American viewers were treated to another double dose of Downton last night on PBS, showing two episodes, S3E7 and 8. With Valentine’s Day coming up this week, it was lovely to see love in the air. Cora and Robert are back on track, Matthew and Mary are settling into married bliss, and  (spoiler alert) Anna and Bates can finally cherish each other now that his name has been cleared.

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Its Burnt Toast for Downton Abbey Characters

21 Monday Jan 2013

Posted by in *About the Show, Main Course, Season 3

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No family is what is seems from the outside.

No family is what it seems from the outside.

America is settling in nicely to Season 3 of Downton Abbey. I freely admit that I am an avid Downton fan, and even during the frantic stress of finishing my cookbook, the opening theme for the show never, ever ceases to give me peace and calm. Thank you John Lunn for your brilliant contribution to TV soundtracks. I could actually manage to play “Damaged”, but generally love listening to the music. I am not sure I can get used to the theme song with lyrics, but buy it and judge for yourself. I haven’t gone so far as to download the Downton Abbey ring tone- I am afraid I would jump for a TV remote and not my cell phone.

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Add Some Downton Touches to Your Holiday Table

19 Monday Nov 2012

Posted by in *About the Show, Breakfast, Brunch, Main Course, Special Occasion

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gourds and candles make a lovely Thanksgiving table photo: Hudson Grows

Across America, experienced cooks are finalizing their Thanksgiving dinner menus, and double checking their order for fresh turkey.  Less experienced cooks are summoning up the courage to take on their first big meal, excited about starting new family traditions of their own, but nervous about how it will all come together. The rest are finalizing their travel plans or still scrambling to find a spot at a dinner table somewhere.

Thanksgiving is a North American holiday so the Dowager may well ask “What is a Thanksgiving Dinner?” The British don’t celebrate Thanksgiving in the same way.  Instead, harvest festivals are held across the UK during the month of October, but there is no big holiday meal.  In Canada our Thanksgiving holiday is held the second Monday in October, presumably since our growing season is shorter.  It has nothing on American Thanksgiving as I learned from living in the US.  As an outsider, it occurs to me that it has greater significance as a time to gather family and friends than Christmas.  For that, America, do give thanks this holiday weekend.

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Downton Downtime: In Remembrance With Boeuf Bourguignon

12 Monday Nov 2012

Posted by in *About the Show, Main Course, Season 2

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In Season 2, Downton pauses to remember the fallen soldiers of World War I (@ITV).

The 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month signifies 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.

Across the British Commonwealth, November 11th is known as Remembrance Day, a day to remember and give thanks to all those men and women who were killed during the two World Wars and other conflicts. This also gives us the opportunity to give thanks to those veterans for their service to our country.

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Downton Abbey: As Comforting as a Good Meatloaf

29 Monday Oct 2012

Posted by in *About the Show, Main Course, Season 3

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Downton Kitchen App.  Where do you indicate more Downton Abbey episodes?

Another Downton Day has come and gone in the UK, and sadly there is only one more episode left in Season 3.  Will fans host lavish finale parties in celebration or mourning?  Who’s to know for sure, but the show has inspired a new found interest in cuisine from that era.  So if you wish to host a finale party or a Downton themed costume party, you may find my online guide to be helpful in your planning. Otherwise, check out the 100+recipes here or or Downton’s Eat Drink & Be Merry Pinterest site to help bring Downton into your own home.

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Downton Day: The Basics of a Making a Great Roast Chicken

22 Monday Oct 2012

Posted by in *About the Show, Main Course, Season 3

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Mrs. Patmore is at it again (ITV)

Downton Abbey fans across the UK have come to call Sundays “Downton Day”, the day of the week to enjoy new episode of Season 3.  Don’t fret US fans, January 6th is drawing closer and by that time, UK fans will be pining for Season 4.

S3E6 is a great episode for those who love Mrs. Patmore, Daisy, and how food can play an important part in people’s lives.   I  came away with specific dishes to prepare for Downton fans, and affirmation that the role of more experienced cooks is to help others, particularly those eager to learn.   This dovetails nicely into what to cook for a casual Downton Day Dinner.

Families used to sit down to Sunday dinner, and some to try to keep this one day of the week for gathering for a great meal.  I do like to serve meals which are hearty, yield leftovers for the rest of the week, but also those which are easy to prepare.  Fuss on Saturday nights, relax on Sundays.

accidents happen, just pick up and carry on (ITV)

My advice to those who want to learn more about cooking: like everything else, practice makes perfect, but cooking doesn’t have to be perfect the first try, and you learn from your mistakes.  Downton Abbey kitchens have seen their share of mishaps; some which were rescued–dropped chicken, broken hollandaise–others were harder to disguise: salty pudding and burnt souffle.  Pick up and move on.  And my advice to tasters?  Give gentle, but truthful feedback, otherwise we won’t learn  as cooks.  It is in your best interest:  otherwise you will be continually served food that you don’t like or which is improperly cooked.  Isobel is a great example of how to encourage and be supportive.  When Lord D approves a dish (he had a national culinary magazine in a past life) I know I can share it with you.

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Downton Abbey: It’s Easier to fix a Broken Hollandaise Than a Broken Heart

15 Monday Oct 2012

Posted by in *About the Show, Main Course, Side Dish

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It is not long America. Season 3 of Downton Abbey will be on PBS Sunday starting January 6. It is time to start getting into the ritual of saving your Sunday nights to watch a Downton episode on DVD, with wine/chocolates, or a cuppa with biscuits or tea treats. Amazon actually has a streaming service so you can download the episodes and watch instantly which is great if you don’t have iTunes. Check out the links below.

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Downton Abbey Shares the Love of Food Both Upstairs and Down

01 Monday Oct 2012

Posted by in *About the Show, Brunch, Main Course, Season 3

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Titanic delights enjoyed in the Servant’s Hall  (ITV)

A record 10 million viewers across the UK enjoyed another great episode of Downton Abbey last night (S3E3), and has quickly become one of my favorites, particularly since food gets specific mention.

In this episode our favorite Downton servants are treated to an extravagant meal of Edwardian classics, many of which were dishes served in 1st Class on Titanic.  I cooked through that ambitious menu (menu and recipe links here) in honor of the 100th anniversary of the tragic sinking. I hope that these menu choices on Downton Abbey were reflective of Julian Fellowes keen interest in Titanic, and not foreshadowing any tragic events on Downton Abbey (like the estate burning down).

Here are links to the dishes mentioned:  scroll down to the bottom of the page to get the recipe.

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Downton Abbey S3 UK Debut, Served With Lavender Crusted Halibut

17 Monday Sep 2012

Posted by in *About the Show, Main Course, Season 3, Special Occasion

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Anglo American relations are strained both on  and off screen.

The world seems far more jolly today, the morning after nearly 9 million viewers watched the debut of Season 3 of Downton Abbey on ITV1, Downton’s home in the UK. It has been a long wait since the Christmas episode was broadcast, but at last the beloved country home of the Crawley family has re-opened its doors for a new season.

Not unlike our first days back at school after the long summer break, the first episode takes time to reacquaint viewers with where we left off, and where we may be headed this season.  The  time stamp is Spring 1920, the opening shot a blessed relief.  Season 1 opened with a telegraph operator relaying news of Titanic, and Season 2 with a battle fields.  Season 3 opens with Daisy, our favorite Kitchen Maid, riding her bicycle. It seems all things will work out for Downton this year. I will not spoil the rest of it for you.

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A Quick English Chicken Banana Curry for Maggie Smith

10 Monday Sep 2012

Posted by in *About the Show, Main Course, Season 3

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Maggie Smith in Toronto   Source: Jag Gundu/Getty Images North America

While Downton Abbey fans in the UK are counting down the hours until Season 3 debuts this Sunday night on ITV1, Downton fans in Toronto can take comfort that the Dowager is currently in Toronto promoting her new film, “Quartet” at TIFF (Toronto International Film Festival).  I feel myself already correcting my posture.

Tonight she accepts a special award as the 2012 recipient of the Stratford Shakespeare Festival’s Legacy Award.  The Stratford Shakespeare Festival is an internationally recognized annual celebration of theatre running from April to November in the Canadian city of Stratford, Ontario.  It attracts some of the best dramatic actors in the world. Last year’s winner of this award was Christopher Plummer.

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