Castle Cooks and their Tools

Today's modern kitchen is filled with so many conveniences that we often take for granted how far society has come in terms of the advancement of culinary arts.

Visit a medieval castle kitchen and you'll understand.  Walk-in ovens with spits, no plumbing, very little lighting and no built-in storage for starters! Counters were non-existent, and if the kitchen had one iron kettle that was enough. 

Scotland's Doune Castle is a 14th century military stronghold in the village of Doune deep in the Stirling countryside. But perhaps the site is more legendary for its prominent role in the classic film Monty Python and the Holy Grail.  Check out Nick smiling at the window used in one of the more famous movie scenes!

Doune's kitchen is considered one of the most advanced examples of the time period, with both an oven and wide fireplace above a cellar that could have been used for food and drink storage.  The castle cooks - most likely soldiers or kingsmen by day - relied on readily available materials to advance their food preparation.  In this case, the walls themselves served as the perfect whetstones to sharpen knives.

Good advice:  
Never cross the cook!



Doune Castle
Stirling
Postcode: FK16 6EA

Classic Gordon -- The Narrow Pub

You can always count on Gordon Ramsay standards at The Narrow Pub on the River Thames.  Notoriously busy (book ahead!) and always done right, The Narrow offers pub fare on an elevated level. 

Look for refined English food with a modern twist. 


The Narrow
44 Narrow Street
LONDON
E14 8DP
T: 020 7592 7950

English Spring

The leaves are beginning to green the trees, and flowers are popping up all over the countryside.  Still wearing a coat to block the chilly wind, but it finally feels like Spring!


These lovely blooms were a breath of Spring in a quiet churchyard along the River Kennet in Reading. 

What sunshine is to flowers, smiles are to humanity. 

These are but trifles, to be sure; 

but, scattered along life's pathway, the good they do is inconceivable.  

 Joseph Addison (1672 - 1719)

Flat Clara Makes an Appearance

Meet Flat Clara!  She's a member of the Dunwoody Woman's Club in Dunwoody, Georgia, USA, and she's making her way around the world to visit new places, friends and family.

You might see Clara pop up on this blog every now and again when she goes someplace truly exciting!  Here, she was out for some peri peri chicken at Nando's.

Dunwoody Woman's Club

Winston's Craved Cherries, Says his Cook

Winston Churchill was a legend for many reasons - including his appetite for great food, Hine brandy and Cuban cigars.

In a handwritten volume of recipes on display at Churchill War Rooms beneath London, his cook recounted that Winston's favorite dessert was clafoutis.

Clafoutis is French in origin, made popular in the 19th century in the Limousin region. With a buttery pastry base and a custard filling, the primary flavor is fresh black cherries.  Served at room temperature, it is often enjoyed with a dollop of sweet cream.

Cherry season in the UK will be at its peak in late summer.  Why not whip up one of "Copperknob's" favorite desserts?

Churchill War Rooms
Clive Steps
King Charles Street
London SW1A 2AQ

London Hot Spot: Polpo

Looking for a hip and trendy place to grab some interesting food and a bottle of wine?  Check out Polpo, a neighborhood bacaro in the heart of London's Soho district.  Booking is advisable as crowds - even for lunch. Fun fact about the 18th century building: according to the restaurant's website, it once housed the famed painter Canaletto.


The food is a treat, with small plate dishes to satisfy any palate.  Try the arancini or the potato and parmesan crocchetta, and follow those with cured pork shoulder & peperonata panino. 

If you're in the mood for mains, the pork belly, radicchio and hazelnuts was quite good, as was the grilled sliced flank steak with flat mushrooms.  Plenty of fish and seafood options to choose from as well.

As their website describes, "the menu consists of cicheti and small plates and takes its inspiration from the osterie and dintorni of Venice. The wine list reflects the region too with almost all the wines on offer coming from northern Italy, some from tiny producers."

My vote:  worth a visit - and a repeat visit!

Polpo. A bacaro in Soho.

41 Beak Street
London W1F 9SB.
020 7734 4479

Spring with Admiral Cunningham

Who doesn't want to sit outside and feel the breeze when Spring weather finally arrives!  I did, that's for sure! 

Looking for a quaint neighborhood pub with a family-friendly atmosphere and lovely gardens?  Stop by the Admiral Cunningham in Bracknell. 

Children's play area, fish pond and picnic tables in the back garden.

The Admiral Cunningham
Priestwood Court Road
Bracknell
RG42 1TU
Tel: 01344 483 052
Fax: 01344 422 696

Ration Cooking Brought to Life

Rationing during war time was a way of life, and the British Ministry of Food is sharing insight into the hardships and challenges home cooks faced with a kitchen stocked by a bare minimum of supplies.  For 14 years, British households were limited in the quantities of foodstuffs they could purchase, and coupons were required for each sale.

This shortage of essential ingredients  - namely quality meat - inspired great creativity from many chefs.  Woolton Pie, created by the head chef of the Savoy Hotel Frances Latry, was presented to 1st Lord Woolton (who became Great Britain's Minister of Food in 1940).  Initially, people didn't care for the pie - they wanted meat!  But gradually, cooks learned to adapt and season the recipe to suit their families' tastes.

Originally published in The London Times in 1941,this homey dish of seasonal vegetables and broth is still made today.

For more information on war time cooking and eating habits, visit London's Imperial War Museum's Ministry of Food exhibit now through January 2011.

Barkham Antiques Centre and Tea Room

Ever wonder where you can browse 19th century furniture and explore cases of vintage estate jewelry and find the piece of English china you've been looking for?  Sure, there are plenty of antiques shops around, but Barkham Antiques Centre and Tea Room in Wokingham offers a little something extra. 

Housed in 5000 square feet of 18th century stables and barns, Barkham Antiques offers hours and hours of exploration for the adventurous shopper. 

Parking is free.

Garden sculptures, art and salvage items dot the grounds outside, while collectibles and one-of-a-kind objects fill the rooms inside.

In the Centre's charming tea room, you can pause for a quick bite to eat with a friend or stop for a spot of tea.  Don't expect gourmet - just comfort food prepared with a smile. 

And ask the ladies where you can read all about how America's first president George Washington relates to this cozy spot in England!

Barkham Antiques Centre and Tea Room
Barkham Street
Barkham near Wokingham
Berkshire
RG40 4PJ

0118 976 1355

Power of the Compost Pail

Who would have thought that ordinary household composting had such wide reaching military and international applications? 

A few poetic words, brought to you by England's Ministry of Food during World War II.

As they point out on London's Imperial War Museum's website, "the experiences of those who fought the Second World War on the home front have a huge amount to teach us about how to make the most of difficult circumstances."

Makes you think twice about how much food we throw away on a daily basis, doesn't it?

My motto for the day:  cook and share with a friend instead of throwing food away.  It's a good rule to live by.

Change

Change is the one thing we can count on in life . . . or so they say.  At the Imperial War Museum in London, this section of the Berlin Wall stands in honor of this certainty of life.

What will you change about your life today?

Think about it.

Stirling Castle: Scotland's Historic Stronghold

With legendary historical figures like William Wallace, Robert the Bruce and Mary Queen of Scots roaming the castle grounds in their heyday, it's no wonder that Stirling Castle has become one of Scotland's national and most visited treasures.

Built in Stirling on a peak of rock cliffs overlooking green valleys and mountain ranges, the castle is an impressive example of what life in medieval times might have been like.



In perhaps one of the greatest shows of artistry in modern times, weavers at Stirling Castle are recreating medieval tapestries on looms. 

Each tapestry takes years to complete, and they are indeed magnificent, depicting various facets of daily life including battles, folklore and relationships.   And each tapestry tells a story about daily life that should be examined with attention to detail.

Among the architectural wonders of the castle is the Great Hall c. 1503, where King James IV would conduct lavish feasts and court business with fires burning in hearths on the hall's perimeter.   The roof is hammerbeam construction and worthy of a second look.

The Medieval Meal was multi-course:

• soup course called "pottage"
• roasted meat or game
• pastries or pies
• tarts or fritters
• fruits

Visit the castle kitchens for a fascinating first hand look at the room-sized ovens, baking rooms encased in stone and busy work spaces.

Stirling Castle
Castle Wynd
Stirling
FK8 1EJ
Tel: +44 (0) 1786 450 000
Email: Stirling Castle

Castle Quarters: Staying at Broomhall Castle in Menstrie

Imagine our delight to discover this gem of a country inn at the edge of Menstrie in Clackmannanshire.  Built in 1874, the castle has a long and vivid history.  Originally a country house for one of the Johnstone brothers, it was architecturally patterned after Balmoral Castle.  Through takeovers and wartime burnings the castle has been rebuilt from ruins and is now open for overnight and dining guests.

Our assessment: an outstanding value.

Upon your arrival, you'll quickly learn the main floor of the castle is designed for guests' comfort, with quaint drawing rooms for enjoying the paper or sipping a  before or after dinner cocktail.  Guest rooms are well-appointed and furnished with luxury in mind.  In fact, our family suite contained two king-sized beds plus a spacious sitting area and claw-footed tub bath.   

Staff is solicitous and friendly.  Dinner in the restaurant did not disappoint.  Service was elegant and beautiful, and the cuisine was contemporary and exceptional.  In the morning, a full Scottish breakfast is included with your tariff to round out your experience. The castle is also available for special events.
 

Broomhall Castle
Long Row
Menstrie, By Stirling
Clackmannanshire
Scotland
FK11 7EA
Telephone: 01259 763360
info@broomhallcastle.co.uk

Falls of Dochart in Killin

In the midst of the sleepy little village of Killin in the shadow of the Trossachs and near the western tip of Loch Tay, waterfalls flow freely beneath an arched stone bridge.   This serene resting spot on the River Dochart in Stirlingshire is well worth a few moments of your time. 

Thank you, Neil and Susan, for taking us to see this lovely spot!

Oban: a Jewel by the Sea

Along the western coast of Scotland, lies the fishing town of Oban. 

Some of you single malt scotch whisky drinkers out there may be familiar with the name - the Oban Distillery has been here since 1794, and the town grew up around it.   Of course, being Sunday in the off season, the distillery was closed when we visited! 

Even so, you'll enjoy the shops and the incredible view of the water, with fishing vessels and steamers cruising the harbor.   The city is considered the unofficial capital of the West Highlands.  The ruins of 600-year-old Dunollie Castle stand high on a hill overlooking the harbor.

You might be surprised to see road signs in Gaelic.  "Oban" in Gaelic means little bay.


In the summer months, Oban is a paradise for sailors, with many races and events filling the calendar.


 Summertime brings with it the Highland Games - and plenty of authentic dress.  Take a look at this image of fun-loving dancing straight from the Oban website (borrowed gratefully, of course!).

http://www.oban.org.uk/content/page.php?page_id=68
 

The Finest on Loch Fyne

We were delighted to visit the original Loch Fyne, where smoked fish and other delicacies lay waiting to be consumed.  On the shores of the magnificent loch, this restaurant and farm shop were a treat in the midst of the Scottish wilderness.

With a smokehouse on site that operates five days a week, the restaurant and oyster bar assure high quality, exceptionally fresh ingredients.  Be sure to try the aschet of salmon smoked three different ways as a starter.

Then when you fall in love with something you've enjoyed for lunch or dinner, pop into the farm shop where you'll find a range of smoked and fresh fish and oysters, sweet tablets, ginger cakes, venison and more.

Loch Fyne Restaurant and Farm Shop
Clachan
Cairndow
PA26 8BL
Tel: 01499 600236/600482
Fax: 01499 600234
oyster.bar@lochfyne.com

Driving Southwest Scotland: Argyll Forest Park

Breathtaking.  Serene.  Rugged.  Even on a gray day, no amount of adjectives can describe the raw beauty that awaits visitors to Scotland's southwestern coast, where mountains and crystal clear glacier lakes sit waiting to be explored.  As we set out from Menstrie with friends Neil, Susan and daughter Ailish, we had no idea what we might see during our journey.

As we traveled through bucolic villages like Buclyvie, we passed stone cottages with gabled slate roofs, quaint chapels, flocks of black faced sheep grazing on rolling hills, standing Pagan stones, and forestry areas where timber cutting is dominant in the landscape.  Laybys on the winding roads offer safe opportunities for photgraphy.

Perhaps one of the most beautiful stops on our journey was high in the Argyll Forest Park.  Scottish people call it "The Rest and be Thankful" spot.  You've successfully made the climb high into the mountains, and it is the absolute perfect place for a picnic, winter or summer. 

As far as the eye could see, snow covered the landscape in an atypical display of winter weather.

And you know what that means, of course.  Time to make the snowballs!

Ailish got in the first throw, but we all joined in!

And then we had to push the van backwards out of the snow - we got stuck!

Scotland's Treasure: The National Museum in Edinburgh's Old Town

In just a few hours on your visit to this modern structure, you'll encounter an amazing array of treasures tracing the country's roots and history to prehistoric ages.

Look carefully and you might spot Dolly the Sheep (the original clone!), Jackie Stewart's F-1 racing car, a 1600s Darien chest with a complex locking system, and perhaps the most gruesome of all memorabilia, "The Maiden," a late 1500s device used for beheading criminals and opponents to the crown.

But of course, I want to bring you the historical culinary perspective as it might have affected daily life.  Since we're in the whisky-making heart of the world, I'll concentrate on spirits!  Above right, this wooden tankard was used hundreds of years ago.  As Robert Henryson (1425-1506) said in the Testament of Cresseid,

"I mend the fyre and bei kit me about,
Then tuik ane drink my spreitis to comfort."

Commercial whisky distilleries date from 1817, but references go back to 1495 when it was distilled from malted barley.  The quaich is a shallow bowl with handles that was frequently used to indulge in a dram or two of whisky.  This wood and silver quaich from 1692 is from the era of King James VII.

To the right, these urns, wood and leather and pottery, were specifically used for storing and transporting whisky.

Going farther back in time to the period of 200-400 A.D., Scotland was under the influence of Roman civilization.  Pictured below is a stunning example of the craftsmanship and concentration on opulent, yet practical, gourmet items.  This solid gold wine strainer is thought to have been a diplomatic gift used in exchange for favors. 

Pen and Tongue

You haven't lost me on this blog yet - I've been swamped by book deadlines and I'm just getting back to sharing wonderful stories with you about life across the pond.

As Winston Churchill said,

Well, Winston must have been like me - if I'm not writing, I'm cooking or eating. . . Ha!

So onto the next adventure!