Please welcome guest author Virginia Heath for another History Thursday post on food. She’ll parse out all things scone-ish (she’s a Brit, so she knows what she’s talking about). Of course, she writes historical romance. Virginia is also a featured author celebrating the upcoming Royal Wedding on Facebook. More on her book and the Royal Wedding Facebook party to come. But, first…a few words from Virginia Heath on...
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England’s flourishing economy under the four King Georges (1714 – 1830) spilled over to the kitchen. Culinary delights were in demand. The number of pastry chefs and confectioners increased by almost 20,000 from the late Georgian period to middle Victorian era. Recipe books abounded. Inventors tinkered with refrigeration as early as 1755. The first gas stove was developed in the 1820s (and patented in 1826). Was cooking then the same...
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Georgian Christmases were a gorgeous celebration of pastoral England. Christmas was truly a season, beginning on Saint Nicholas Day (December 6th) and ending on Twelfth Night (January 6th). Parties, balls, and family get togethers marked the time. Feasting flourished—especially during the holidays. But one must look at England’s past to understand this period of the four King Georges. Why limit the fun to one day? The Twelve Days...
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Were you worried the Viking food ride was over? Summer is coming to an end, but there’s a few more Viking morsels up my sleeve. Today’s feature: Salmon Stew. I’m doing this post differently. Call it Viking food in pictures with a little text. If I keep writing “Fish Stew” (which is what this is) you might get a gag reflex. I almost did and I love, love salmon. For some reason, fish and stew...
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What’s a busy Viking matron to do when she’s got a gaggle of kids at her skirts and a farm to tend? You know as well I do at the end of the day many mouths will want to be fed. Like so many moms on the go, the Viking wife and mom had a lot of responsibilities. Sometimes planning dinner falls through the cracks. Norse women had the same problems you and I do, trying to get through her to do list, but unlike the modern...
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The Cheese Alternative In one part of Spain, there’s a tradition that tells of Viking raiders who came to conquer but got stuck on an island in the middle of a river because local fighters defeated them. Lore has it those Vikings traded in their war hammers to become cheese farmers, and to this day that region is known for its hard cheeses. Vikings are ever resourceful! Dairy products were the midsummer answer to food shortages....
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