Like so much of the world, I've fallen head over heels in love with the PBS Masterpiece series Downton Abby. And like the rest of America, I'm holding my breath for this Sunday night's premiere of Season four.
I even have a Downton Abby Pinterest board http://www.pinterest.com/shannonimlay/romancing-downton-abbey/
Season one of Downton Abby begins in 1912 Edwardian England. If you havn't started watching the series, I highly recommend it, but I also recommend that you watch it from the beginning. Julian Fellowes does a wonderful job of building a story around each person in the series, both upstairs and downstairs.
When I found out that Larry Edwards, a classically trained chef, had written a cookbook inspired by Downton Abby, I really wanted to get my hands on one. Well not only was Larry gracious enough to send me a signed copy, he also sent one for one of my lucky readers.
This book shows you how to make breads, soups, side dishes, entrees, and desserts found on the"upstairs" tables of Edwardian England. Edwardian Cooking is filled with an array of delicious English fare to dream about and to prepare, from high tea delicacies to elegant dinners. I really enjoyed that each recipe came with a story and history along with some very pretty Edwardian drawings.
I couldn't resist doing a New Years Tea Party, I just wish the bloody servants would have showed up to polish the silver ;) I started by making a rather large flower arrangement in a gleaming silver bowl (lined with a glass bowl). I even payed homage to the opening credits of Downton Abby by sprinkling some "fallen" rose petals around my arrangement :)
I got out my best china, including my tartan plaid plates as a nod to the episodes in season three spent at a Scottish Hunting Estate. I made Earl Grey tea shown here with lemon.
I made two different Tea Sandwiches from "Edwardian Cooking". Cucumber and Cheddar Tea Sandwiches with Horseradish Cream on page 45, and Roasted Sweet Red Pepper Cream Tea Sandwiches on page 47. Chef Larry's Tea Sandwiches call for Puff Pastry (yum). I think next time I'll use smaller canape cutters, they would have been the perfect size. Regardless of the size they turned out quite delicious. I've also made his Cream Scones on page 16 and they were wonderful. I also found these adorable Scottie dog shaped Scottish shortbread cookies for the top of my three tiered server :) There is a recipe for Scottish Shortbread in the book and I WILL be trying it.
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| Click on photo to see the enlarged version |
Now for the Give-Away
1). First and foremost, a signed hardback copy of Edwardian Cooking... Thank you Larry Edwards
2). A 2014 Official Downton Abbey Wall Calender filled with beautiful photographs
3). A copy of Victoria Classics Tea Pleasures. This magazine has so many wonderful tips on how to prepare and enjoy tea (including how to use the strainer in this give-away :)
4). A lovely stainless steel tea strainer and bowl
5). 2 Teapot shaped teabag cozies
6). One box of Earl Grey Tea and I will be throwing in a bunch of other teas for you to try
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| Unmasked at midnight |
Now for the rules
1). You MUST leave a comment on this post, tell me why you want to win, ask me about something in my tea-scape, it doesn't matter, let's just connect and chat, isn't that what tea is about ;)
2). For extra entries "Like' The Food of Downton Abby on Facebook
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Angelfood Cakes with fresh berries and Devonshire Cream
There is a recipe for Devonshire cream in Tea Pleasures, which is wonderful with scones, cakes, and berries. |
This drawing will be held on January 10th, remember you have 4 chances to enter, good luck and Happy 2014
