Final Days until Historic Vote & Downton S5 in the UK

It is a historic week in the UK. While American Downton Abbey fans might be envious about the launch of Season 5 on ITV this Sunday, it is the Scottish Referendum which has the captured the world’s attention.  This Thursday, September 18th, Scots will vote on a simple question “Should Scotland  be an independent country?  To keep up to date, follow BBC coverage at Scotland Decides.

In this last week of Downton Downtime in the UK, today‘s dish is Made Over Pork Stew. I prefer to use the term “made over” over “left over” when creating a downstairs dish from the remainders of an upstairs meal.

Downton Dish

• 10 Reasons to Watch S5:  Do you really need 10?
• How well do you know Downton?  The Crawley Quiz
• Upstairs or Down?  Take the Quiz to find your place
• Ready for another quiz?  The quotes quiz
• The Dowager gives dating advice: What all men want
• What to expect in Season 5:  Cast dishes on some storylines to look forward to
• George Clooney makes Downton appearance…sort of
• Daisy the accountant?  Our favorite cook hits the books
• New Downton Abbey Sponsor:  Amazon is new sponsor on ITV

Raise a Glass to Season 5

Raise a toast to Season 5 and cheer on your favourite characters with a delicious cocktail inspired by the Post-Edwardian era.

It’s that time of the year again, when you’re fretting with anticipation, waiting to see what adventures and dramas await the lords and ladies of Downton. To put you in the mood for a journey through the epoch, thebar.com has created a selection of cocktails inspired by the era and matching the personalities as well as the social status of your favourite characters.

Ever wondered what the earls, countesses and ladies of the beloved family would have enjoyed sipping?

• Lady Mary– The crisp bite of Tanqueray London Dry Gin makes Sassy Lady  a great match for Mary’s occasionally acerbic personality. The lemon juice, sugar syrup and champagne make it a cocktail that’s simultaneously tart, complex, and refreshing, but most of all classy and sassy, just like Lady Mary.
• Lady Edith – Divine Unconvention is a mix of delicious bittersweet marmalade with pure, clear Smirnoff No. 21 Vodka and a lively dash of citrus. Serve in a marmalade jar much like Edith the rebel, fighting convention and pomposity.
• Lord Grantham– With its combination of subtle botanics and spitzy tonic, Front a Frontis  a classic mixed drink has Lord Grantham written all over it. Simple, yet elegant, this cocktail makes a great serve for gentlemen’s poker and cigar party.
• The Dowager Countess– Nothing is as memorable as her quips and sharp irony pointed at all those who disregard etiquette. The epitome of tradition and guardian of all aristocratic values, the Countess is all about keeping the status quo at Downton, so let’s toast an Ettican’tin in her honour! With a tasty sour edge and subtle sweetness, this is an upscale cocktail for the discerning drinker.
• Tom Branson – proud of his origins even when he becomes part of the aristocrat family, Tom Branson would enjoy the Good Craic, this Irish whiskey blended with ginger ale, that has a fruity though spicy aftertaste.

The busy life at Downton is even busier downstairs, where all the glamorous dinners and parties are prepared. But what drink would have suited an outing at the fair or a beach picnic for the lovely bunch downstairs?

• The Servants– When it comes to their own entertainment, the servants enjoy easy-to-make and easy-to-share refreshments. Make Do and Blendis a Smirnoff Punch with simple yet tasty ingredients that is best shared!

For more inspiration, head to uk.thebar.com. With hundreds of recipes to choose from, there’s something to suit everyone’s tastes. Search by ingredient or spirits for recommendations for the perfect cocktail.

I also have a few drink recipes up my sleeve.

• Auld Man’s Milk
• Pimm’s Punch
• Pink Shocker
• Rhubarb Bellini

Made Over Pork Stew

Lord D makes the best pork roast, perfect for upstairs guests.  This stew is a great way to use the remainders to make over into a wonderful, healthy and hearty stew for your downstairs crew. Great way to use up cooked vegetables, and to incorporate brightly colored squash, now in season.

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 red onion, cut into wedges
• 2 leeks, trimmed and thickly sliced
• 2 cups butternut squash, peeled, deseeded and chopped
• 3/4 cup pearl barley
• 4 cups chicken stock, heated
• 3 cups canned diced tomatos
• 2 cups leftover roast pork, chopped
• 1 cup cooked green vegetables (broccoli, green beans)
• 2 tbsp. fresh sage, chopped
• 3 tbsp wholegrain mustard

Method

1. Saute the onion and leeks in olive oil for 15 minutes until they have softened.
2. Add the squash and cook for another 5 minutes.   Stir in the pearl barley, chicken stock, pork and tomatoes and bring to the boil.
3. Simmer, covered for 30 minutes Turn down to a simmer, cover and cook for 30 minutes.
4. Stir in cooked vegetables, sage, mustard and season with freshly ground black pepper.
5. Heat through and serve.

Print

Made Over Pork Stew

Cuisine American, Edwardian

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time 35 minutes minutes

Total Time 50 minutes minutes

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 red onion cut into wedges
• 2 leeks trimmed and thickly sliced
• 2 cups butternut squash, peeled, deseeded and chopped
• 3/4 cup pearl barley
• 4 cups chicken stock heated
• 3 cups canned diced tomatos
• 3 cups canned diced tomatos
• 2 cups leftover roast pork, chopped
• 1 cup cooked green vegetables (broccoli, green beans)
• 2 tbsp. fresh sage, chopped
• 3 tbsp wholegrain mustard

Instructions

• Saute the onion and leeks in olive oil for 15 minutes until they have softened.
• Add the squash and cook for another 5 minutes.   Stir in the pearl barley, chicken stock, pork and tomatoes and bring to the boil.
• Stir in cooked vegetables, sage, mustard and season with freshly ground black pepper.
• Heat through and serve.