Wednesday, 11 June 2014

The Unofficial Downton Abbey Cookbook by Emily Ansara Baines



I fell across The Unofficial Downton Abbey Cookbook by complete accident so it was a fabulous surprise to find how much I enjoyed it.
There are no photographs which is usually a no-no for a cookbook but given the Downton Abbey theme it worked for this book.  Each recipe has been given a special Downton Abbey twist which is enjoyable.  I haven't cooked any of the dishes yet but have tagged 14 of them to try in due course.  The recipes are divided up by course and between food for the Crawley's and food for the servants' hall.
They include:
Crawley Family Chicken Breasts with Caper Cream sauce
Creamless Steak au Poivre
British Brussels Sprouts with Chestnuts
Cucumbers a la Poulette
Mrs Isobel Crawley's Smoked Salmon Tea Sandwiches
Tom Branson's Guinness Corned Beef 

To give you a 'taste' here is how the author introduces the Pepper Steak dish:
          'this French dish is one that Mrs Patmore would feel confident to serve to any of Downton Abbey's respected guests'

I wouldn't buy this cookbook but it was certainly a great find at the library.  (The reason I wouldn't buy it is that I have rationed myself to at the most one new cookbook a year and this year's was Around My French Table by Dorie Greenspan).

11 comments:

  1. Oh I would love it with lovely Downton Abbye's potos of the food and on occasion some of the real characters...right? Anyway, I love it!
    FABBY

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  2. I'd love to browse this one. I doubt I would buy it either but must be very nostalgic reading.

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  3. Fun, I checked this cookbook out from the Library. How about Ms. O'Brien's blood pudding!!

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  4. I've tried a couple of recipes from this book. I'm more attracted to the servants' food than the upstairs food. Want to try the Sally Lunn bread next.

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  5. Sounds like a solid choice to experience 'period' cuisine! I may have to see if my library has it...

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  6. It's always fun to stumble across a fabulous cookbook. This one sounds interesting.

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  7. Every since I first heard of this, I've wanted to buy it. The only thing holding me back is getting to the store.

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  8. I have never seen the show but I like almost all things British so, would love to check that book out.

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  9. What a fun concept! I really enjoyed the Downton Abbey cooking class I took earlier this year.

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  10. That's so cool! I was eyeing up ASoIaF and Potter cookbooks myself, might get to some soon and see if there's something good I can make. :D
    I hope you enjoy these when you make them!

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  11. I'm going to see if I can find this in MY local library!! LOVE me some Downton Abbey!!!

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