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apple charlotte, Colcannon, Downton Abbey, Downton Abbey Food, Downton Abbey Party Food, Downton Abbey recipes, Downton Abbey viewing party, healthy desserts, online guide to Downton Abbey themed Emmy party, raspberry meringue pudding recipe, truffles, Waldorf Pudding
It had been a quiet summer for ardent American Downton Abbey fans, many engaged in Downton Downtime activities like planning vacations to London to visit High Clere castle where Downton Abbey is filmed, taking in Diamond Jubilee celebrations, or the Summer Olympics. Others have stayed close to home, taking their favorite Downton period books* to the beach, and introducing new fans to Downton through DVDs and/or Netflix.
As for me, I am writing a Downton-inspired e-cookbook, planned for release in December. I hope to provide inspiration for fans of all cooking ability who want to take a Downton twist on casual or formal gatherings. But in the meantime, here are some great recipe and entertaining ideas. Come back regularly as I update links to this page.
Downton Abbey Entertaining Ideas
I have already posted over 100 recipes for foods which would have been served upstairs and down at Downton Abbey and other great English country houses from the Edwardian era through to the early 1920s.
At the end of Season 2, I gave an interview with an LA radio station looking for some advice on what to serve at a Downton Abbey finale party. Here is the posted interview, part of the fun Weekend Alibi segment of what to do this weekend in California, if you know what a weekend is, that is.
Below is a sample of what you could serve at your Downton themed event. Many of these and other recipes will be featured in my ecookbook called Downton Abbey Cooks Entertain, to help you celebrate entertaining the Downton way.
Note: you will have to scroll down to the bottom of each post to get to the actual recipe. I do like to write about food history or what has been happening on the show before we eat.
Downton Servants Hall tribute
Many of our favorite characters live downstairs, so you may wish to invite family and friends over for a dinner of simple, hearty dishes which helped fuel our favorite downstairs team for their long 12+ hour days serving the needs of the Crawley family and the sprawling estate.
- Soups
- Main Course
- Colcannon
- Hot Pot
- Roast Beef, Yorkshire Puddings and Gravy
- Irish Stew – a Branson tribute
- Vegetable Pie
- Side Dishes
- Desserts
Downton Formal Dining: Titanic Tribute
Downton Abbey launched with the sinking of Titanic and the For ambitious cooks or group of foodie friends who really want to put on a show, you may wish to invite an intimate group of friends for a formal dining experience to savour the upstairs experience. Earlier this year I did a great series, cooking my way through the last meals on Titanic. You can pick and choose items from the 1st and 2nd class menus to create your own tribute in as many courses as you can muster. You don’t have to be an experienced chef, just passion and lots of help. Pat Kelly, a follower, provided her account on how she pulled off her dinner earlier this year, describing how to staff, using a caterer, and setting a fabulous table. Susan Edwards was the other co-winner who set a fabulous outdoor Titanic tribute feast.
- Titanic Menus
- Appetizers
- Soups
- Main Course
- Side Dishes
- Palate Cleansers
- Desserts
“Signature” Downton Dishes
If you aren’t prepared to do a great deal of cooking but still want to bring a little bit of Downton to your own viewing party, why not try making one memorable item from the show to share with fellow fans.
- Apple Charlotte: the dish that Sir Anthony Strallon wanted Mrs. Patmore to prepare.
- Roast Chicken: the cat got one famous chicken, yours doesn’t have to end up on the floor.
- Crêpe Suzette: Enjoyed by the Crawleys and Isis, the dog in S2.
- Plum Pudding: which the Dowager had the honor of lighting in the Christmas Episode.
- Raspberry Meringue Pudding; from S1, the dish that Mrs. Patmore topped with salt instead of sugar.
- Turkish Delight: in memory of poor Mr. Pamuk.
Tailor your Own Upstairs Menu
With over 100 recipes on my blog, just search for your own combinations of dishes to suit the particular tastes of your own Lords and Ladies. King Edward VII introduced fine French Cuisine to England, and aristocracy enjoyed wonderful food influences from around the British Empire, so enjoy the culinary journey.
How about:
- Main Course
- Sides
- Desserts
- see below
Appetizers with drinks
Many savoury dishes served at Afternoon Tea (check out my Online Guide) are perfect for upscale entertaining. This list will grow over the coming weeks. See below for beverage suggestions.
- Beef and Yorkshire Pudding Canapes
- Eggs Drumkilbo: favorite of the Queen Mum
- Goat Cheese and Fig Canapies on Raisin Bread
- Salmon Mousse Pinwheels
- Easy Savoury Scones
- Quick Smoked Salmon Pinwheels
- Stilton and Fig Tarts
- Truffled Wild Mushroom Tartlets
- Truffled egg on Toast
- Quinoa Cakes with Lemon Yoghurt Sauce
Downton Beverages
Anna briefs Mr. Molesley on the wine service (video: ITV)
- Non Alcoholic: fans of John Bates know that he has given up alcohol so you may make a conscious decision to serve non alcoholic drinks in his honor. Some Edwardian standards include:
- Tea
- Lemonade
- Coffee
- Alcoholic: while you may wish to serve cocktails, creating clever names for the characters, they were not served at Downton. You may recall that Mary warned Sir Richard: “I could ask Carson to make one for you, but I can’t guarantee the result.” So consider wines, spirits and liquors for your guests.
- Champagne or sparkling wines would be a great celebratory drink to toast each of the 16 categories.
- Madeira: Edwardians loved madeira, for any fortified wine (sherry, brandy) would be fitting tribute to the Dowager countess
- Wine: a great choice. More details in the coming weeks.
- Scotch: a favorite of the Crawley men, single malt for an upstairs crowd
- Pimm’s: a popular drink in the UK (derived from gin), but might more suitable for the summer. If you do live in the lower states it might be suitable as thirst quencher. Check out my Pimm’s Punch recipe, my favorite.
Downton Desserts: Traditional English Favorites
If dessert and coffee is more your cup of tea, you could serve traditional English dessert and tea favorites. I have also included a few recipes fancied by the Royal Family.
- Cakes
- Angel Food Cake
- Guilt Free Carrot Cake
- Chocolate Biscuit Cake* (Prince William’s favorite)
- Madeleines
- Basic
- Chocolate
- Earl Grey Imperial
- Rhubarb Cake
- Royal Chocolate Cake: what the Queen enjoys for her birthday
- Victoria Sponge
- Cake-ish
- Sweets
- Guilt free brownies
- Chocolate Perfection Pie (the Queen’s favorite)
- Earl Grey Chocolate Mousse
- Financiers
- Peanut Butter Fudge
- Truffles
- Turkish Delight
- Wellesley Fudge Cupcakes
- Fruit Breads
- Biscuits
- Pies/Tarts
*Downton Reading Suggestions
I have reviewed a few Downton Abbey era books which you may enjoy:
- The World of Downton Abbey, by Jessica Fellowes (great photos from the set)
- New: The Chronicles of Downton Abbey: A New Era with great new pics of S3.
- Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey: The Lost Legacy of Highclere Castle, by The Countess of Carnarvon
- Beyond Downton Abbey, by Deb Hosey, David Stuart (great houses in England)
In addition please do check out the great fiction written by Evangeline Holland, who blogs at Edwardian Promenade. She has also just hosted a great Page on Facebook: Books for Downton Abbey Fans
Susan said:
Can you recommend any Downton Abbey period books?
downtonabbeycooks said:
I should have put some links right into the post and will attend to that now as a postscript. I have reviewed a few. My favorite Downton book is the one written by Jessica Fellowes, Julian Fellowes niece. It is a great coffee table book; she combines photos from the set with Edwardian history. http://wp.me/p27trL-N7
Susan said:
any fiction recommendations?
Sara Genevieve said:
Books in and arounf that period:
Anne of Green Gables
A Room with a View
Rebecca
The Age of Innocence
The Secret Garden
Sherlock Holmes
Eva Taylor said:
Welcome back, Pam. Entertaining these days is trying to keep the heat out of the house, so I try not to turn the oven on. Glad to hear your cookbook is coming along.
Susan Edwards said:
Oh Pamela, I am so pleased that you are back!!! You were missed. The menus look fabulous and I WILL be sampling a few!!! AND new period reading? Yes, indeed!!!
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Bonnie said:
Can you email your blog to: bbwalk@charter.net
Name is:Bonnie Walker, Alabama, USA
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Rosalie Goldberg said:
Any idea what the pattern of dishes they used in the Downton Abbey program? Its the one the servants use.