Tea Tuesday is all About Tea Tarts

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afternoon tea, bakewell tarts, Downton Abbey, Downton Abbey casting news, Downton Abbey entertaining, Downton Abbey Food, Downton Abbey Party Food, Downton Abbey recipes, jam tarts, treacle tarts

The Milestone Hotel serves award winning tea   across from Kensington Gardens in London

Welcome to Tea Tuesday, my weekly ritual of sharing tea with Downton Abbey fans.  UK fans have been glued to their tele on Sundays, now known as  Downton Day. I know Season 3 will be over soon on ITV, but the good news is that the Jan. 6 PBS launch is getting closer.  There really is something special about watching Downton on PBS Masterpiece. 

Do join me each Tuesday as I dish on Downton Abbey, the Royal Family, UK tourism and other topical tea issues one might discuss at tea, served up with a tea treat recipe with history. Today’s treat is Jam Tarts.

Downton Day: The Basics of a Great Roast Chicken

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Downton Abbey, Downton Abbey Food, Edwardian recipes, roast chicken

Mrs. Patmore is at it again (ITV)

Downton Abbey fans across the UK have come to call Sundays “Downton Day”, the day of the week to enjoy new episode of Season 3.  Don’t fret US fans, January 6th is drawing closer and by that time, UK fans will be pining for Season 4.

S3E6 is a great episode for those who love Mrs. Patmore, Daisy, and how food can play an important part in people’s lives.   I  came away with specific dishes to prepare for Downton fans, and affirmation that the role of more experienced cooks is to help others, particularly those eager to learn.   This dovetails nicely into what to cook for a casual Downton Day Dinner.

Families used to sit down to Sunday dinner, and some to try to keep this one day of the week for gathering for a great meal.  I do like to serve meals which are hearty, yield leftovers for the rest of the week, but also those which are easy to prepare.  Fuss on Saturday nights, relax on Sundays.

accidents happen, just pick up and carry on

My advice to those who want to learn more about cooking: like everything else, practice makes perfect, but cooking doesn’t have to be perfect the first try, and you learn from your mistakes.  Downton Abbey kitchens have seen their share of mishaps; some which were rescued–dropped chicken, broken hollandaise–others were harder to disguise: salty pudding and burnt souffle.  Pick up and move on.  And my advice to tasters?  Give gentle, but truthful feedback, otherwise we won’t learn  as cooks.  It is in your best interest:  otherwise you will be continually served food that you don’t like or which is improperly cooked.  Isobel is a great example of how to encourage and be supportive.  When Lord D approves a dish (he had a national culinary magazine in a past life) I know I can share it with you.

Tea Tuesday is a Lovely Day to Enjoy Almond and Rose Petal Squares

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The Edwardian House, traditional afternoon tea, Vermont Public Television

Enjoy Almond and Rose Petal Squares at London’s Famous Fortnum & Mason

Welcome to Tea Tuesday, my weekly ritual of sharing tea with Downton Abbey fans.

Downton fans are counting down the days until the January 6th PBS launch. This will give US foodie fans time to carefully plan S3 launch parties (check out my link to upstairs/downstairs theme ideas). Do consider supporting Vermont Public Television’s Downton Abbey Inspired Culinary S3 Launch Weekend at the Essex Resort in Vermont (see details below).

The British may have historically failed in other culinary areas*, but excel in the tea ritual. Each Tuesday I dish on Downton Abbey, the Royal Family, UK tourism and other topical tea issues one might discuss at tea, served up with a tea treat recipe with history. Today’s treat is Almond and Rose Petal Squares from Fortnum & Mason.

Downton Abbey: It’s Easier to fix a Broken Hollandaise Than a Broken Heart

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curdled hollandaise, Downton Abbey, Downton Abbey casting news, Downton Abbey Food, Downton Abbey recipes, Downton Abbey Season 3, Downton Abbey Spoilers, kidney souffle, recipes

It is not long America. Season 3 of Downton Abbey will be on PBS Sunday starting January 6. It is time to start getting into the ritual of saving your Sunday nights to watch a Downton episode on DVD, with wine/chocolates, or a cuppa with biscuits or tea treats. Amazon actually has a streaming service so you can download the episodes and watch instantly which is great if you don’t have iTunes. Check out the links below.

Tea Tuesday Serves up Healthy Pumpkin Bran Loaf Goodness

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afternoon tea, Downton Abbey, Downton Abbey casting news, Downton Abbey recipes, healthy desserts, healthy tea loaf, pumpkin bran loaf, Pumpkin puree

Montague on the Gardens offers awarding winning Afternoon Tea in touristy London.

Welcome to Tea Tuesday, my weekly ritual of sharing tea with Downton Abbey fans. Canadians celebrated Thanksgiving yesterday. Lord D and I spent some time in the Kingston area, where the War of 1812 was fought; a special shout out to Eunice Chaplin, the owner of Blanche Dubois at Elysian Fields, the lovely B&B we stayed at in Napanee. A gourmet chef, she caters from her home and hosts a dinner club in the off season. More about Eunice another time, but if you are the area, Lord D and I highly recommend this great B&B with beautifully appointed rooms topped off with a gourmet breakfast.

Tea Tuesday: Fall Signals the Arrival of Downton Abbey and Pumpkin Season

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afternoon tea, Downton Abbey Calendar, Downton Abbey casting news, Downton Abbey Food, Downton Abbey Season 3, Downton Abbey Spoilers, Essex Resort, guilt free pumpkin pie tartlets, To Marry an English Lord, Vermont Public Television, Weekend Inspired by Downton Abbey

Cosy up for Award Winning Afternoon Tea at the Sofitel Rose Lounge in London.

Welcome to Tea Tuesday, my weekly tribute to the art of having tea. “A Proper Tea is Much Nicer than a Nearly Nice Tea“- A.A. Milne.  Life is grand in the UK now that Season 3 is well under way, sad in the US as PBS won’t be broadcasting the new season until January.  Devoted foodie Downton fans will be looking forward to carefully planning S3 launch parties (check out my link to upstairs/downstairs theme ideas) or perhaps booking tickets to the S3 Culinary Launch Weekend at the Essex Resort in Vermont (see details below).

The British may have historically failed in other culinary areas*, but excel in the tea ritual.  Each Tuesday I dish on Downton Abbey, the Royal Family, UK tourism and other topical tea issues one might discuss at tea, served up with a tea treat recipe with history. Today’s treat is Guilt-Free Pumpkin Tartlets to celebrate the arrival of Fall.

Downton Abbey Shares the Love of Food Both Upstairs and Down

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Beef Hotpot recipe, CBC, Cook, DocZone, Downton Abbey, Downton Abbey Food, Downton Abbey recipes, Downton Abbey Season 3, Downton Abbey viewing party, Eat, Love, Titanic Menus, Titanic recipes, truffled eggs on toast

Titanic delights enjoyed in the Servant’s Hall

A record 10 million viewers across the UK enjoyed another great episode of Downton Abbey last night (S3E3), and has quickly become one of my favorites, particularly since food gets specific mention.

In this episode our favorite Downton servants are treated to an extravagant meal of Edwardian classics, many of which were dishes served in 1st Class on Titanic.  I cooked through that ambitious menu (menu and recipe links here) in honor of the 100th anniversary of the tragic sinking. I hope that these menu choices on Downton Abbey were reflective of Julian Fellowes keen interest in Titanic, and not foreshadowing any tragic events on Downton Abbey (like the estate burning down).

Here are links to the dishes mentioned:  scroll down to the bottom of the page to get the recipe.

• Oysters a la Russe
• Calvados Duck
• Asparagus Salad with Saffron Vinaigrette
• Lobster Rissoles in Mousseline Sauce
• Truffled Eggs on Toast (see recipe below)

Tea Tuesday: Downton Abbey Season 3 Launched with Treacle Tart

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afternoon tea, Downton Abbey, Downton Abbey casting news, Downton Abbey Food, Downton Abbey Party Food, Downton Abbey recipes, treacle tart, Vermont Public Television, VPT's Experience inspired by Downton Abbey

Award Winning Tea at the Chesterfield Hotel in London

Welcome to Tea Tuesday, my weekly tribute to the art of having tea. “A Proper Tea is Much Nicer than a Nearly Nice Tea“- A.A. Milne.  Life is grand in the UK now that Season 3 is well under way, sad in the US as PBS won’t be broadcasting the new season until January. Americans however did get a glimpse of their favorite stars at the Emmys this past Sunday.

The British may have historically failed in other culinary areas*, but excel in the tea ritual. Join me every Tuesday as I dish on Downton Abbey, the Royal Family, UK tourism and other topical tea issues one might discuss at tea, served up with a tea treat recipe with a history. Today’s treat is Treacle Tart, the first dish mentioned by name by Mrs. Patmore in Season 3.   It has long been a favorite sweet treat in English households: Harry Potter fans know that it was Harry’s favorite.

Celebrating Downton Abbey Emmy Win with Yorkshire Pudding Canapés

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Downton Abbey, Downton Abbey casting news, Downton Abbey Party Food, yorkshire pudding canapes

Downton Abbey Cast at the Emmys

It was an emotional night for Downton Abbey fans yesterday.  In the UK, fans soaked up another hour of Season 3; the trials and tribulations at the grand house in the country.  Meanwhile, American fans watched and cheered Maggie Smith’s only major win* for Downton Abbey at the 64th Annual Emmys. She was not present to accept the award.  It brought to mind her character’s quip from E2: “Curious. He hates to leave America.  I should hate to go there.”

Still, a win for one is a win for all, and much to celebrate all things considered.  Other period dramas-Mad Men (which had 17 nominations), Boardwalk Empire and Sherlock-came away empty-handed.  It would appear that in an election year,  Americans are more drawn to political drama; Homeland won three awards.

Tea Tuesday: Bakewell Tart to Celebrate & Console Downton Abbey Fans

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afternoon tea, bakewell pudding, Bakewell tart, Downton Abbey, Downton Abbey casting news, Downton Abbey entertaining, Downton Abbey Food, Downton Abbey Party Food, Downton Abbey recipes, Downton Abbey viewing party, Edwardian recipes

Award winning Park Room at Grosenvor   House in London offers an Afternoon tea to celebrate S3 & the 1920s when they opened.

Welcome to Tea Tuesday, my weekly tribute to the art of having tea. “A Proper Tea is Much Nicer than a Nearly Nice Tea“- A.A. Milne.  Life is grand in the UK with the launch of Season 3, sad in the US as PBS won’t be broadcasting the new season until January.  However, there are the Emmys to look forward to this weekend.

Tea Tuesday was inspired by Christine, a young woman living in France who was curious about English tea traditions after watching a few episodes of Downton Abbey. The British may have failed miserably in other culinary areas, but they excel in the tea ritual. Join me every Tuesday as I dish on Downton Abbey, the Royal Family, UK tourism and other topical tea issues one might discuss at tea, served up with a tea treat recipe with a history. Today’s treat is Bakewell Tarts, an English tea favorite. Originally known as Bakewell Pudding, this confection dates back to the Tudor era.  Mrs. Beeton, the Victorian domestic goddess, even published a lovely version.