The Official Downton Abbey Cookbook (Downton Abbey Cookery)

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Just a note, I always like things I can make ahead of time, and most of these recipes had components that could partially be done the day before, or at least earlier in the day, were you to have a dinner party. As the book is reflecting the divided class of Downton Abbey, and the cookbook likewise is divided (mostly) into two parts. There are in this book recipes for the gentry and the recipes for the servant class respectively separated. The introduction gives an excellent overview of the way food was important in British society and also how the dishes served were different for the various classes. As history (and science) moved forward, the availability of food and access to foodstuffs, electricity, refrigeration also changed the way the classes ate. Lots of interesting facts, recipes, and more. Some other of my "tagged recipes" in THE OFFICIAL DOWNTON ABBEY CHRISTMAS COOKBOOK are Apple and Celery Salad, Roasted Parsnips, a few sauces, Hazelnut Cake with Coffee Icing, Wardley Cake, and Smoking Bishop (I already know what non-alcoholic liquid I can substitute for the bottle of red port in the latter recipe!). If you love to cook and/or you're interested in the history of food, this might be a terrific book for you to get hold of. Not to mention that it's also about some of the delicious dishes you might've seen while watching Downton Abbey! Each of the sections that discuss the series "Downton Abbey" in various ways are informative and educational, but are never "over-done" There are multiple discussions of the Grantham Family as well as the servants, but there is also a greater discussion of British Society and history as well. As Downton Abbey is a snapshot of British Class and the way the people of England interacted and lived together. The research and historic work that went into this cookbook is clear. I believe the TV show is a great window into this time in history and the author proves this successfully.

Book Review — “The Official Downton Abbey Cookbook” by Dr. Annie Gray (2019) published by @weldonowen Recipe Note from the book: This is an English classic, and done badly, it remains the source of nightmares for many people forced to prepare and cook at school. ( where it was often done with the whole cauliflower, serve soggy on the outside and raw in the middle) Food historian Annie Gray in The Official Downton Abbey Cookbook offers up not only a feast for the eyes and the palette, but a marvelous historical journey through the lives, the country homes, the foods, the kitchens, and the people who populated such places as the fictional Downton Abbey. Well, I did brown the cauliflower and I think that part made a difference. However I needed to add additional milk to make a smooth cheese sauce.This well-researched and compelling cookbook from food historian Dr. Annie Gray includes more than 100 authentic and delicious period recipes, accompanied by spectacular images of the Downton Abbey cast, food photography, quotes and historical information to vividly bring the dishes and customs of the Crawley’s English country home to life.

The basic reaction, which happens when food is browned, gives much-needed depth of flavor and nuttiness to both the sauce and the cauliflower. If you want the The layout of the book delves into the various meals of the day, including the British "tea" and what exactly they ate during these different repasts. What I loved about the book is that nothing is taken for granted but given real consideration. Featuring stunning photographs of dishes and the beloved series, plus notes on customs of the time, quotes from characters, and descriptions of scenes, this unique cookbook provides vivid context for the dishes and brings the show to life. Savor the rich traditions and historic flavors of Downton Abbey for contemporary palettes with Cornish Pasties, Jam and Custard Tarts, and more!You don't need to be an experienced cook to enjoy this book, but if you are, it will most certainly make you itchy to break out your batterie de cuisine. I'm going to start by making some pikelets, a crumpet-like form free muffin. Yum. It will be the beginning of a long, I hope, cooking adventure.j This book was very much lovingly crafted and is no small work. The detail about the food being served and how it reflects the class system, time period and traditional foodways of England is riveting. Annie Gray is not merely a food historian, she's also a brilliant food writer who clearly loves food as much as you or I do. Each of the recipes here in this book are crafted specifically to highlight the traditional dish it is based upon. I found everything in this work interesting and something that I would want to cook. As someone who has watched the series myself as a fan, I did not expect that to be the case when I went to read this book. I assumed going in, that I would be dealing with a lot of fussy food gourmet food -over prepared and excessive, I could not have been more wrong.

There are full color photos of the recipes and also from the show. There are quotes from the Christmas episodes for all 5 seasons. Beware spoilers if you haven't seen all seasons. Weldon Owen doesn't skimp on their cookbooks, even during a Pandemic. This is a gorgeous, full-color, hardcover book filled with Christmas recipes and traditions from Britain's past. Some are from long before the Downton Abbey days, traditions that carried over and some are from the future but classics of British Christmas tables the Crawleys probably would have known. FINALLY!!!! I have acquired the Downton Abbey cookbook. After all this time… it was worth it! I love baking and cooking, and I also love Downton Abbey + history. Mix all together and you’ve got the official DA cookbook. Amazing.

Added benefit is the historical context — adding extra facts to the DA story shows how much effort went into the series to be historically appropriate. The series "Downton Abbey" is a historical dramatic television series set in the early 20th century in the region of Yorkshire England. It takes place at the fictional estate of "Downton Abbey" in the time around WWI and before the events of WWII. The series details the lives of all the classes living within the estate and their interactions. There was a Downton Abbey film and spin-off television series "The Golden Age" currently airing on television. None of the recipes were exceptionally difficult, and if I had been making these individually (not on the same day), I think I would have felt they were extremely manageable. I made all of these the same day, for the same dinner, to essentially create a ‘Downton Abbey Dinner for Two.’ Make sure you set your oven to the right temp, I accidentally baked my first batch at 250 vs 200 and ended up with mocha colored meringues (still very good, and I’ll use them with chocolate ice cream). But I did have to make them over for this dinner.

Gray has done extensive research on the meals included in the world of Downton Abbey and chosen those suited to a contemporary palate that can be replicated in today’s kitchens. The first official cookbook from the greatly acclaimed Downton Abbey franchise has been announced by Weldon Owen International, with an anticipated launch for Sept. 17. Annie Gray's The Downton Abbey Cookbook is a fascinating food history read. Even if you didn't watch the show, which would certainly help, there's a great deal of interesting discussion of food shortages, availability, evolving cookery tools and technologies, and some statistics that may well amaze and confound you. Doing them all in the same 8-hour period required a little work and planning, since I don’t have a kitchen staff to assist me. I do have my husband and Dachshund…but they’re more help than hindrance ( they mean well). I have only seen two episodes but I think if you are a die hard fan of Downton Abbey you will love this cookbook. It’s treasure of information, snippets about the show including dialogue and episode notes, recipes and the historical story about the meals presented.Food is a constant presence at Downton Abbey and the focus of daily life and festive occasions. The enticing recipes in The Official Downton Abbey Cookbook provide an evocative and fascinating portrait of life, upstairs and downstairs, during the Edwardian era and in to the 1920s. The "Lunch and Supper" chapter was centered on recipes for the midday meal. Items like "Sardine Salad"(a lovely preparation), "Lobster Cutlets", "Ham with Red Wine and Almonds", "Cornish Pasties"(traditional meat pies), "Eggs A La St James" and "Vegetable Curry" A history of the midday meal as it is observed in England and has included as well as "Notes' for each recipe discussing how the dish is singular to the series or can be changed to suit tastes. But I didn't actually take a look at the details in the product description when I bought it. I was anticipating a simple book with some photos of the show and some recipes that may have been mentioned in some of the episodes. I was stunned when this book arrived! The Official Downton Abbey Cookbook with a foreword by Gareth Neame, Downton Abbey Executive Producer, will be distributed in North America by Simon & Schuster. The book is divided into sections: Soups, Fish and Shellfish, Meat, Game and Roasts, Meat Pies and Savory Puddings, Sides and Vegetables, Sauces, Savories, Desserts and Sweets, Drinks. The recipes are modernized for modern kitchens but recipe notes explaining the history of some of the recipes and how they would have been prepared. The notes also explain the differences between English and American traditions and tie-in the traditions to the characters.