Victorian Christmas Recipes
Try some flavors from the past to incorporate into your holiday meal this year.
In my newest release, 12 Days at Bleakly Manor, the food served to the holiday guests was not your typical Victorian fare. It was bleak, to say the least. For most Victorians, Christmas was the time of year to serve a feast, but that could be a little tricky considering refrigeration wasn't yet available. That meant dishes often varied from region to region.
Generally, though, most people served ham and turkey or some other readily available fowl. There were also lots of side dishes and don't forget dessert. Victorians had quite the sweet tooth. If you'd like to try your hand at some authentic 18th century English recipes, here you go…
Pumpkin Pudding
2 cans pumpkin
6 eggs
1/4 lb. butter
1 cup milk
1 tsp. Ginger
1 tsp. Cinnamon
1/2 tsp. Nutmeg
1/2 c. brandy
Sugar
1. Mix pumpkin with 6 eggs, softened butter, milk and some ginger, cinnamon and nutmeg.
2. Add in 4 oz. of brandy and sugar to your taste.
3. Bake in a 450 oven for 15 minutes then lower to 350 and bake for 40-45 minutes more until an inserted knife comes out clean.
Christmas Coffee
2 squares sweetened chocolate
1/4 cup sugar
Dash of salt
2 cups boiling water
1 cup milk & cream, mixed
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups hot coffee
1. Melt chocolate in microwave. Add sugar, salt and boiling water. Stir for about 5 minutes.
2. Pour into a saucepan and add milk and cream. Cook over low heat but do not let it boil.
3. Add vanilla and hot coffee.
4. Top with whipped cream and use candy cane for stirrer.
Victorian Cucumber Sandwiches
1 (12") cucumber
Salt
1 tbsp. good olive oil
1 tbsp. lemon juice
Scant tsp. sugar
Freshly ground white pepper
Brown bread
1. Cut the cucumber as thinly as possible, using a mandoline or a food processor fitted with a metal blade.
2. Very lightly salt the slices and leave them to drain in a colander, lightly weighted with a plate, for 2 hours or so, pressing from time to time to get rid of the excess juices.
3. Combine the sliced and drained cucumber with the oil, lemon juice, sugar and a dredge of freshly ground white pepper (no more salt).
4. Spread thin slices of white or brown bread with creamed butter; fill in the usual way, but at the last possible moment, as this sandwich can become soggy.
Applesauce Cake
2 c. flour
1 1/2 c. sugar
1 1/2 tsp. soda
1 1/2 tsp. salt
2 tbsp. cocoa
1/2 tsp. cloves
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 c. shortening
1 1/2 c. applesauce
2 eggs
3/4 c. chopped dates
3/4 c. nuts
3/4 c. raisins
1. Mix all ingredients together. Top with a mixture of 1/4 cup sugar and chopped nuts.
2. Bake in a greased 13 x 9 pan at 350 for 45 minutes-1 hour (until toothpick comes out clean).
And while you're snacking on one of these tasty treats, how about you cozy up with a good book as well? Here's your chance to win one of 12 signed copies of 12 Days at Bleakly Manor…