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I love the show Downton Abbey. When I first picked up this book, I expected it to be a collection of recipes of the show’s era. The cookbook, I believed, would be for little more than entertainment value. I was pleasantly surprised to see that the recipes were updated for modern ingredients, modern techniques, and modern palates. I think the book will be something that steampunks, Neo-Victorians, and Downton Abbey fans can embrace.
The book is broken into two sections with the first eight chapters belonging to the “DINING WITH THE CRAWLEYS” section:
HORS D’OEUVRES VARIÉS
FIRST AND SECOND COURSES: SOUPS AND FISH
THIRD COURSE: ELEGANT ENTRÉES
FOURTH AND FIFTH COURSES: JUICY JOINTS AND SUCCULENT STEAKS
SIXTH COURSE: RESPLENDENT ROASTS,GORGEOUS GAME, AND ACCOMPANYING SALADS
SEVENTH COURSE: THE NECESSARY VEGETABLE
THE FINISHING TOUCH: SWEETS AND DESSERTS
The wannabe foodie in me couldn’t help but drool while reading recipes like “Lobster Thermidor” and “Lobster with Mornay Sauce”, but the realist in me knows that “Part 2 SUSTENANCE FOR THE STAFF” would most likely be the things found on my table.
HEARTY BREAKFASTS TO START THE WORKDAY
A QUICK LUNCH BETWEEN BUSINESS
DOWNSTAIRS SUPPER
DESSERTS FOR THE SERVANTS’ SWEETTOOTH
The font used gave a sort of charm of the era and the brief anecdotes were excellent.”Most teas offered by the ladies of Downton Abbey are cream teas, and thus Mrs. Patmore would be quite skilled at making — and storing — clotted cream.”
On the downside, the book would have benefited from some pictures and art. Not only would pictures give the readers an idea of what the finished product should look like, but the settings would be beautiful. All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed it and I give it 4 stars out of 5.
The book is broken into two sections with the first eight chapters belonging to the “DINING WITH THE CRAWLEYS” section:
HORS D’OEUVRES VARIÉS
FIRST AND SECOND COURSES: SOUPS AND FISH
THIRD COURSE: ELEGANT ENTRÉES
FOURTH AND FIFTH COURSES: JUICY JOINTS AND SUCCULENT STEAKS
SIXTH COURSE: RESPLENDENT ROASTS,GORGEOUS GAME, AND ACCOMPANYING SALADS
SEVENTH COURSE: THE NECESSARY VEGETABLE
THE FINISHING TOUCH: SWEETS AND DESSERTS
The wannabe foodie in me couldn’t help but drool while reading recipes like “Lobster Thermidor” and “Lobster with Mornay Sauce”, but the realist in me knows that “Part 2 SUSTENANCE FOR THE STAFF” would most likely be the things found on my table.
HEARTY BREAKFASTS TO START THE WORKDAY
A QUICK LUNCH BETWEEN BUSINESS
DOWNSTAIRS SUPPER
DESSERTS FOR THE SERVANTS’ SWEETTOOTH
The font used gave a sort of charm of the era and the brief anecdotes were excellent.”Most teas offered by the ladies of Downton Abbey are cream teas, and thus Mrs. Patmore would be quite skilled at making — and storing — clotted cream.”
On the downside, the book would have benefited from some pictures and art. Not only would pictures give the readers an idea of what the finished product should look like, but the settings would be beautiful. All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed it and I give it 4 stars out of 5.
Thank you Goodreads, I won this book as a first reads. This is an Excellent book. A must have for fans of Downton Abbey as well anyone interesting in British cooking. Love that is loaded with extra historical facts about the time period.
Set up in a pretty classic fashion, this cookbook is minus the glossy pictures we expect today. In the post-Edwardian era, the cooking was an interestingly sauced bunch of meats and "veg," with puddings and pastries for dessert and tea. The contents of the book are separated into two parts: Part 1, "Dining With the Crawleys"; and Part 2, "Sustenance for the Staff". From there, the book is separated into twelve chapters--eight for the Crawleys and three for the staff.
One of the things that I found nice about this cookbook is that it breaks its chapters into the courses in the meal that you might have with the Crawleys (yes, I picture being there). We open with Hors d'Oeuvres, soup and fish. Then it moves to entrees, meat course, game and salads, vegetables, and then desserts. You'll find plenty of things like oysters, ducks, and roasts galore, with fancy wine and mushroom sauces. The desserts are also somewhat familiar, with chocolate mousses, cakes, and eclairs, but also contains an Apple Charlotte and Bakewell Tart recipe to remind us of another era. Tea Time wraps up the Crawleys' section, with delightful scones, curds, and finger sandwiches that seem fairly simple and straightforward to make.
The staff doesn't seem to eat that poorly, but maybe a bit less sauced. Their food feels a bit more like standard "Toad in a Hole," "Bangers and Mash," and "Bubble and Squeak". As Americans, if you're not an Anglophile, these terms might make the food sound creepy and a bit frightening, but really it's just basic things like sausages and potatoes.
I really enjoyed the range of recipes in this cookbook and the whimsy of tying it to Downton Abbey and our favorite characters. Honestly, this is more of a classic British food cookbook, but adds that nostalgic look at a time and show we have all been captivated by. I've thoroughly enjoyed it and plan on trying out some of the soups in particular.
Now, can we get back to the show at some point!?! I'll be keeping my eye out for these glorious foods the next time the Crawleys or staff have a bit of a sit down.
One of the things that I found nice about this cookbook is that it breaks its chapters into the courses in the meal that you might have with the Crawleys (yes, I picture being there). We open with Hors d'Oeuvres, soup and fish. Then it moves to entrees, meat course, game and salads, vegetables, and then desserts. You'll find plenty of things like oysters, ducks, and roasts galore, with fancy wine and mushroom sauces. The desserts are also somewhat familiar, with chocolate mousses, cakes, and eclairs, but also contains an Apple Charlotte and Bakewell Tart recipe to remind us of another era. Tea Time wraps up the Crawleys' section, with delightful scones, curds, and finger sandwiches that seem fairly simple and straightforward to make.
The staff doesn't seem to eat that poorly, but maybe a bit less sauced. Their food feels a bit more like standard "Toad in a Hole," "Bangers and Mash," and "Bubble and Squeak". As Americans, if you're not an Anglophile, these terms might make the food sound creepy and a bit frightening, but really it's just basic things like sausages and potatoes.
I really enjoyed the range of recipes in this cookbook and the whimsy of tying it to Downton Abbey and our favorite characters. Honestly, this is more of a classic British food cookbook, but adds that nostalgic look at a time and show we have all been captivated by. I've thoroughly enjoyed it and plan on trying out some of the soups in particular.
Now, can we get back to the show at some point!?! I'll be keeping my eye out for these glorious foods the next time the Crawleys or staff have a bit of a sit down.
I now have a compelling reason to watch the show.
The best parts of this book were the historical notes and etiquette notes.
As far as the cookbook is concerned, there are a few recipes that I will try out, and enjoy knowing a bit of the history or background of the dish while I eat it.
Biggest complaint is there were no pictures. May have more complaints about the recipes themselves once I try to follow them.
Also kind of odd - I know this was going for authentic, but I didn't really care for the inclusion of recipes that called for ingredients that I would never be able to acquire. Or perhaps I'm just really unsophisticated for not knowing where to buy turtle and pigeon.
As far as the cookbook is concerned, there are a few recipes that I will try out, and enjoy knowing a bit of the history or background of the dish while I eat it.
Biggest complaint is there were no pictures. May have more complaints about the recipes themselves once I try to follow them.
Also kind of odd - I know this was going for authentic, but I didn't really care for the inclusion of recipes that called for ingredients that I would never be able to acquire. Or perhaps I'm just really unsophisticated for not knowing where to buy turtle and pigeon.