Abby Murphy

  • The "First" Thanksgiving (I)

    With Thanksgiving little more than a week away, I’ve had cooking on the brain. No wonder–it’s the only national holiday entirely devoted to food (plus, well, giving thanks). Is there anything more wonderful? I decided to honor the holiday by… Continue reading

  • Luisa Weiss’ My Berlin Kitchen

    You know how there are books that grab you from the first page? You think to yourself, This is me. I see myself in this story. This was my experience with Luisa Weiss’ memoir My Berlin Kitchen. I was so enthralled… Continue reading

  • Canning: Apple butter

    We’re safe and sound here in Providence. The hurricane swept through yesterday and we stayed snug in the apartment, catching up on schoolwork and relaxing. There were several hours of Diablo III (Josh) and of baking cheesy pull-apart bread (me).… Continue reading

  • History 101: Downton Abbey

    While Downton Abbey is purely fiction (in all its soap operatic glory), it’s based largely on fact. Julian Fellowes, the creator of the show, is known for writing well-researched films set in earlier days of the British Empire (like Gosford Park,… Continue reading

  • Pumpkin pie

    This time of year, Led Zeppelin’s “Ramble On” always seems to be stuck in my head. Yes, I did play it in class because it connected to our Lord of the Rings discussion, but it’s also just so seasonally appropriate.… Continue reading

  • Dining at Downton: Afternoon tea

    When I graduated from college, I moved to New York City to work at a children’s literary agency. I knew almost no one and quickly discovered that I am really not cut out for big city living. While I quietly… Continue reading

  • This meal brought to you by Christopher Columbus

    Ah, Columbus Day. I’m not sure there’s any other secular holiday more filled with angst and mixed feelings than this one. When I was little, we learned the basics of Columbus Day. We sang that catchy song, the one that… Continue reading

  • Sardine sandwiches

    Yep, you read that right. As you may recall, I’m one of those weird folks who actually enjoy foods deemed disgusting by many Americans: anchovies and sardines, in particular. Anchovies don’t just add a unique umami flavor to pasta sauces… Continue reading

  • Dining at Downton: The perfect cup of tea

    You know you’re in a committed relationship when you start buying the foods your significant other likes. When Josh and I started dating, we quickly discovered that while we both enjoy tea, there are a few major differences in our… Continue reading

  • A very British announcement!

    It’s no secret that I’m a bit of an Anglophile. This, combined with my love of history, made me fall utterly and irrevocably in love with Downton Abbey. For those of you not in the know, Downton Abbey is a… Continue reading