Centuries ago when baking was done in hearth ovens, it would take a long time to bake a cake, and the final product would often be burned. Muffin tins, also called gem pans, named after The Gem Company which made them popular around the turn of the 20th century, so people started … [Read more...] about Heart-Healthy Pumpkin Bran Muffins
Winter
Warming Parsnip and Apple Soup
Before produce became available to us year-round, cooks used ingredients as they were harvested and those which could be stored in cool rooms or root cellars. This is a great creamy and warming soup for the cooler seasons, this soup combines parsnips and apples, but no cream. … [Read more...] about Warming Parsnip and Apple Soup
Downton’s Traditional Gingerbread Cake
This recipe comes from The Official Downton Abbey Cookbook which is quite similar to other gingerbread recipes of the era. What is particularly enjoyable about this book is that is prefaced by the historical background which I also like to provide. "Ginger was one of the … [Read more...] about Downton’s Traditional Gingerbread Cake
Make Baba’s Cabbage Rolls!
Traditions in Eastern European families include cabbage rolls, "Golubtsi", made in a unique way that Baba (grandmother) used to make. This is peasant food since the ingredients are quite inexpensive; however, they are labour intensive to make. As a result, they are often reserved … [Read more...] about Make Baba’s Cabbage Rolls!
Downton’s Sole à la Florentine
"Fish with something green is often seen on the dinner table at Downton. The garnish serves a practical purpose, as it gives the actors something to eat that isn't going to be horrible after several hours under fierce lighting. This was a genuinely popular way to eat fish, and … [Read more...] about Downton’s Sole à la Florentine
