fruit – Abby Murphy

18th century, confusing recipes, dessert, disaster, fruit, hannah glasse, lessons learned

Apple pie

December 14, 2013February 16, 2014 Abby Murphy

Sometimes you get old recipes right the first time: you decipher the flowery language, you make the right substitutions, you determine the correct proportions. And sometimes, well, you don't.This is a story of when I got it wrong.We begin in apple season. I've been buying apples nonstop at the farmers' market every Saturday, and sometimes… Continue reading Apple pie

18th century, fall, family, fruit, hannah glasse

Spiced, stewed pears

November 4, 2013February 16, 2014 Abby Murphy

Thank you for all your wonderful comments on our news! It can be scary to put big announcements out into this void of the internet, so it meant a lot to read your good wishes.We're knee-deep in fall over here in New England. Leaves turning color, crisp and clear afternoons, days growing shorter. Sometimes I… Continue reading Spiced, stewed pears

20th century, activities, baking, boston cooking-school, canada, fruit, summer, vacation

Blueberry picking (and muffins)

August 12, 2013February 16, 2014 Abby Murphy

It's been two weeks since we returned from vacation in Canada, and I can't stop thinking about it. Even though I've since joined my parents for a weekend in upstate New York. Even though Josh and I have entertained and seen friends and gotten thoroughly back into the Providence swing of things. Even though school… Continue reading Blueberry picking (and muffins)

fruit, honesty, spring, vegetables

Spring cleaning

March 29, 2013February 16, 2014 Abby Murphy

It's getting to that point where things just feel blah. It's officially spring but not quite warm, the kids are either bonkers or asleep at school, and the crust for my first-ever tart puffs up like a balloon.Even food is less than inspiring. Josh made a big pot of white bean, kale, and sausage soup… Continue reading Spring cleaning

baking, college, dessert, fruit, lessons learned, settlement cookbook

Short cake, with blueberry topping

January 22, 2013February 16, 2014 Abby Murphy

Over the long weekend, my sister Lissa came to visit, and one afternoon we drove down to New Haven, CT, to visit our old college. We toured the British Art Gallery and I found time to wander around Yale's campus with my camera, snapping photos of old haunts and sun-drenched architecture.I don't know how many… Continue reading Short cake, with blueberry topping

adventure, baking, britain, dessert, dining at downton, disaster, edwardians, escoffier, family, fruit, holidays, victorians, winter

Dining at Downton: How to serve plum pudding

December 27, 2012February 16, 2014 Abby Murphy

We had a relatively quiet Christmas here in Ohio, seeing family and telling funny stories and going for long, snowy walks and eating good food. As per tradition, we served plum pudding for dessert on Christmas night, along with a lot of other treats (frosted cookies, red velvet cake, petit fours...). We don't mess around… Continue reading Dining at Downton: How to serve plum pudding

adventure, baking, britain, dessert, dining at downton, edwardians, escoffier, family, fruit, holidays, victorians, winter

Dining at Downton: How to steam plum pudding

December 24, 2012February 16, 2014 Abby Murphy

On Saturday we talked about how to make your own plum pudding, the most classic of British holiday desserts. (Yes, I am still wondering where the plums are in the recipe.) Today we'll discuss the cooking process, which is a rather elaborate steaming method. It requires parchment paper, cooking twine, a water bath, and lots… Continue reading Dining at Downton: How to steam plum pudding

adventure, baking, britain, dessert, dining at downton, edwardians, escoffier, family, fruit, holidays, victorians, winter

Dining at Downton: How to make plum pudding

December 22, 2012February 16, 2014 Abby Murphy

This time of year, my family is all about tradition. Previously I wrote about the Brunswick stew we've kept from my mom's side of the family, though I tested out a Williamsburg variation of the recipe. That's still on the menu this year. My sister and I maintain important traditions like decorating the tree while… Continue reading Dining at Downton: How to make plum pudding

beverages, dining at downton, edwardians, escoffier, fruit, holidays, winter

Dining at Downton: Mulled wine

December 18, 2012February 16, 2014 Abby Murphy

It's getting to be that time when I start glancing at the calendar to see how many days are left. Not before Christmas (though that's another kind of concern) but before the premiere.Yes, you know. The U.S. premiere of Downton Abbey Season Three.January 6! That's less than a month away!Josh and my sister and I can… Continue reading Dining at Downton: Mulled wine

candy, dessert, family, fruit, holidays, settlement cookbook, winter

Candied orange peel (with chocolate)

November 28, 2012February 16, 2014 Abby Murphy

Thanksgiving is over. The turkey's been roasted and eaten (or perhaps you tried a duck?), the festive harvest plates have been washed and put away for another year. And now everything in America is telling us it's time for the winter holidays: the pharmacies selling mechanical Santas, the radios playing nothing but Elvis, the twinkle… Continue reading Candied orange peel (with chocolate)