Recipes From The Kitchen At Bag End

Non-alcholic drinks suitable for Middle-earth

2017-04-13T09:40:00Z

Posted by: dreamflower

First up is a vid from Jonathon Townsend:

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The variation with honey would work especially in the Shire. I think switchel or "swizzle" (love that variation on the name) would go down well during harvest time, or at a Lithe-day celebration, or really any celebration that might include youngsters.

Here is a recipe that was posted with my Shire Kitchen Recip!Fic entry, Spring Quickening:

SHIRE HEALER’S MINT THIRST QUENCHER

Dissolve 4 cups sugar in 2 1/2 cups of water; when it comes to a boil add 1 cup wine vinegar. Simmer 1/2 hour. Add a handful of mint, remove from fire, let cool. Drain out the mint leaves. Dilute the resulting syrup to taste with ice water (5 to 10 parts water to 1 part syrup). The syrup stores without refrigeration.

[AUTHOR’S NOTE: If this looks familiar, I’ve posted the recipe once before. It is actually an ancient Middle-Eastern drink called “Sekanjabin”. This recipe comes from Cariadoc's Miscellany. I've seen several other recipes for it as well, but they are all mostly the same. There are a good many great recipes on this page:
http://www.pbm.com/~lindahl/cariadoc/drinks.html#2

And I know it might sound funny to make a drink out of vinegar and mint, but it really is a very good thirst quencher, and no more tart than lemonade. It‘s also very pretty; depending on which kind of vinegar you use--red wine vinegar makes a lovely pale pink, while white vinegar looks a bit like pale limeade.]

These sorts of drinks might make a welcome change from tea for those who don't wish to have their characters drinking nothing but beer, ale, mead or wine all the time!

Do any of you have recipes or ideas for non-alcoholic drinks that might work in Middle-earth?

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Book Review

2017-04-05T21:06:00Z

Posted by: dreamflower

Since I am hoping to get this community up and working again, I think I need to post more than just occasionally.

Today, I'm going to begin a series of book reviews, for books that might be handy for anyone writing fiction set in a time period which would use less modern methods. I will also review cookbooks specializing in certain time periods, or books on such topics as foraging or dressing and cooking wild game. This sort of information can be valuable in adding a realistic touch to your story.

The first book I've chosen is The Magic of Fire: Hearth Cooking: One Hundred Recipes for the Fireplace or Campfire by William Rubel. The book is very expensive, and I do not own it myself, but check it out every chance I can get from the library. I recommend that route, and if your own public library does not carry it, there is always InterLibrary Loan. Even the used copies from Amazon are a lot, though one day I do hope to get my own copy.

The book is coffee table size, and weighs in at 295 (including index) pages of solid information. Even if you never have the opportunity to cook at a campfire or hearth yourself, it will give you enough information to make it sound like you know what you're writing about.

There is an illustrated list of the basic tools needed to cook at a hearth or over an open fire; most everything in the list is historical with the exception of Kevlar gloves. :-) This is followed by illustrations of the methods that can be used on a hearth, including string roasting, stand roasting and spit roasting, baking in a pot buried in ashes, baking on a griddle over embers, or grilling at the hearthside are some of the methods shown.

The basic information doesn't stop there. Mr. Rubel tells us about the differing temperatures of a fire and how to manage it, and how to manage cooking several dishes for one meal. All this before the recipes begin. And there are 100 of them.

The one I am choosing to share here is one of the simplest. I really do hope to get the chance to try it one day.

Roasted Eggs
(Recipe behind the cut) ( Read more... )

Not all the recipes are quite as simple as that, but many are. I've used details from this book in a number of my stories, including "Trotter", in which the hobbit cooks a meal to impress the Rangers, and "Ember-roasted Artichokes" in which those particular veggies are discovered in Ithilien and prepared as a treat for the Fellowship.

I hope you'll find this review useful and will let me know if it is. Also, if you know of a book that would be useful in researching cooking methods for stories, please feel free to post about it here.

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Baking Day at Brandy Hall--another recipe!fic reprint

2017-02-22T22:33:00Z

Posted by: dreamflower

Here's another recipe!fic, this one from 2013. A bit of young Frodo and little Merry at Brandy Hall. I hope you enjoy it!

Baking Day at Brandy Hall ( Read more... )

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Bread Pudding Recipe.

2017-02-11T16:22:00Z

Posted by: curiouswombat.livejournal.com

dreamflower02 has just posted a lovely traditional recipe for a bread and butter pudding - or at least in Britain it would be called a bread and butter pudding, rather than a bread pudding, because the name 'bread pudding' is given to something else.

And it struck me that the traditional British Bread Pudding was also a very hobbitty recipe. The white pot type would be eaten as dessert after a meal, whereas this type is usually eaten with a cup of tea as if it were cake - and would be the ideal thing for a hobbit to take as a snack to eat whilst walking, or working in the fields; it lends itself to being wrapped in a red and white spotted handkerchief somehow!

As many family recipes designed to use up leftovers, measures are not all that well defined, but this is pretty close to how my mum or granny made it;

Take stale bread, including crusts, tear it into chunks, put in a bowl and pour boiling water over - just enough to moisten it, not drown it!

Leave to cool a little and then squeeze the excess water out, which should break up the bread fairly well. Now, at this point I would just go by eye and instinct, as I think would the average hobbit - but this only works if you've made this before! However if you had started with a whole, 2lb/800gm loaf these would be about the right amounts.

Add to the bread a good 500g dried fruit of your choice (in the UK you buy bags of mixed fruit that contain currants, raisins, sultanas and a small amount of candied peel, but dried cherries, or cranberries, or whatever would all be interesting and tasty).

Also add about 180 -200g ready to use suet, or melted butter, 150g or so of soft brown sugar, 2 heaped teaspoons mixed spice (very like American pumpkin pie spice mix), and 2 eggs - then if the mixture is a bit dry add milk until it is like a thick batter.

Pour into a well greased, or lined baking tin, scatter some sugar on the top, and bake in the middle of a pre-heated oven at 180C / 160Fan / 350F / Gas4 for an hour to an hour and a half, until it is firm and browning on top. Allow to cool in the tin.

Once it is cool cut into good size chunks!

It should look rather like this -

It is good eaten warm with custard too - but not if you plan to do anything energetic in the next hour or two :)

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Historical recipe from the 18th century

2017-02-09T23:01:00Z

Posted by: dreamflower

Often when I am writing a hobbit story, I look for historical recipes that might possibly have been made in the Shire.

Recently, I came across an amazing series of vids made by Jonathon Townsend, of Jas. Townsend and Sons, a company that caters to historical re-enactment groups. Each recipe is explained clearly and concisely, and is prepared in a historically accurate reproduction kitchen, the host wearing period clothing. Even so, he explains how to make it in a modern kitchen as well, and how to substitute hard to find ingredients or where to find them if they cannot be substituted.

Also, Mr. Townsend (IMHO) looks to me very hobbity!

Here's his recipe for "White Pot", a recipe for a sort of bread pudding:

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I can't wait to try this one myself!

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Recipe!fic reprint: The Music of the Land

2017-02-08T11:15:00Z

Posted by: dreamflower

Hi everyone who is still in this comm! I hope you are not too shocked to see this on your friends page, since the last entry was in 2011, but I've been wanting to revive this community for ages. I will try to post something frequently and see if it will create new interest.

I'm starting out by re-posting a recipe!fic of mine that appeared in the 2014 Back to Middle-earth Challenge. I hope others will feel encouraged to start posting here again, your own recipe!fics, recipes for foods that might be found in Middle-earth or food related thoughts. Pictures are also welcome. And please feel free to signal boost!

The Music of the Land
( Read more... )

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shire_kitchen @ 2010-05-16T22:09:00

2010-05-16T22:09:00Z

Posted by: dreamflower

Yesterday the recipe!fics for the shire_kitchen challenge were posted!

We had three entries. Stories were:
Friends in Need by Dreamflower A chance call on an old friend turns into an opportunity to help.
Sharing Dinner on Lobelia Lane by Pearl Took
A Time for Truth by Larner

The winner of the apron was Pearl Took!

Congratulations, Pearl!

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shire_kitchen @ 2010-05-16T22:09:00

2010-05-16T22:09:00Z

Friends in Need by Dreamflower

2010-05-15T17:03:00Z

Posted by: dreamflower

Title: Friends in Need
Author: Dreamflower
Rating: G
Author's Notes: This story features Bilbo's uncle, Hildifons Took, whose story I told in my story Trotter, and takes place early in his career as a Ranger.
Summary: A chance call on an old friend turns into an opportunity to help.

Friends in Need( Read more... )

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Friends in Need by Dreamflower

2010-05-15T17:03:00Z

Sharing Dinner on Lobelia Lane by Pearl Took

2010-05-15T10:55:00Z

Posted by: pearltook1

Author: Pearl Took
Title: Sharing Dinner on Lobelia Lane
Theme: recipe
Elements: must include a dish/meal in the story for
for which you supply a recipe readers can make
Rating: G
Summary: During the Troubles in the Shire, Widow Rumble wonders
how she will manage to make a meal to feed her friends.
Word Count: 837

( Read More )

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Sharing Dinner on Lobelia Lane by Pearl Took

2010-05-15T10:55:00Z

Recipe Fic Challenge: Deadline Extension

2010-04-27T21:51:00Z

Posted by: dreamflower

The shire_kitchen Sixth Annual Recipe!Fic Challenge has been extended to May 15th!

I hope this will help those who'd like to enter, and to get a chance to win the one-of-a-kind apron!

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Recipe Fic Challenge: Deadline Extension

2010-04-27T21:51:00Z

Just a reminder: Shire Kitchen Recipe!Fic Challenge 2010

2010-04-12T08:59:00Z

Posted by: dreamflower

Just a reminder that the entries for the Shire Kitchen Sixth Annual Recipe!Fic Challenge are due before May 1, if you hope to have a chance to win the Shire Kitchen Apron!

All entrants will get the chance to have their name randomly drawn, and one lucky author will win the apron!

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Just a reminder: Shire Kitchen Recipe!Fic Challenge 2010

2010-04-12T08:59:00Z

A Time for Truth - by Larner

2010-04-05T07:58:00Z

Posted by: blslarner.livejournal.com

Title: A Time for Truth
Author: Larner
Summary: Sometimes when Pippin interferes with Sam's business, it is with a solemn purpose. An accompaniment to the poem "Shall I Sing" to be found in my Moments in Time collection.
Notes: Written for Lindelea and Dreamflower in particular. And thanks so to RiverOtter for the beta!

( Read more... )

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A Time for Truth - by Larner

2010-04-05T07:58:00Z

The Sixth Annual Shire Kitchen Recipe!Fic Challenge

2010-03-22T12:39:00Z

Posted by: dreamflower

The LJ Community shire_kitchen would like to announce its

Sixth Annual Recipe Fic Challenge. This is a chance to find a creative way to share your very favorite dishes as well as have the fun of writing a story! The theme for this year’s challenge will be: Special Ingredient!. (Interpret the phrase any way you want!)

THIS year there will be a special incentive to enter the Challenge. All authors who enter are eligible to have their name randomly drawn, to win this apron!

Yes, one lucky person will get this one-of-a-kind piece of wearable art! To see more details of the apron and how it was made, look here!

If you are interested in winning the apron, here are the rules and guidelines for the Shire Kitchen Recipe!Fic Challenge 2010!

The theme for 2010 is "Special Ingredient".

Shire Kitchen Recipe Fic Challenge

1. A recipe fic is defined as a story in which a specific food or dish is mentioned, and the recipe for making it is given. If you would like to see examples of Recipe Fics, the previous years’ challenge stories are here:

First Recipe Fic Challenge 2005
Recipe Fics 2006
Recipe Fics 2007
Recipe Fics 2008
Recipe Fics 2009

2. Recipes should be given in such a way that the reader could use it to make the dish described. The recipe may be incorporated in the body of the story (but all ingredients and steps must be specified) or the complete recipe may be added at the end of the story.

3. Stories do not have a minimum or maximum word-count restriction.

4. Recipes should be something the authors have tried and know to be good.

5. Characters and settings: Any characters and settings from the published fiction of J.R.R. Tolkien. (This may even include tales from his non-Middle-earth fiction, such as "Farmer Giles of Ham" or "Roverandom" or others.)

8. Genre: Any genre

9. Ratings: G to R, no NC-17, please, and clearly label all warnings.

10. Deadline: Stories will be posted on Wednesday, April 28. Late stories are allowed, but the random drawing for the winner of the apron will be done on Saturday, May 1, so if your story is later than that, you will miss out on the drawing.

12. You should post your story directly to the community. Just be sure to put your story behind a cut so we don't overwhelm everyone's friends pages. We mods will hold the story posts in the moderation queue until then , so if you wish to post early, that’s all right--we can keep it under wraps until then. Head the story "Recipe Fic: Name of Story by Your Name". And don't forget to tag your story -- "special ingredient 2010". (For that reason, the community will temporarily be on moderated status until the stories are posted.)

13. If you do not have a LiveJournal account, you may e-mail your story to aelfwina@gmail.com and I will post it for you.

14. Previously published stories are eligible if they fit all the other criteria, and were not published in a previous Shire Kitchen Challenge.

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The Sixth Annual Shire Kitchen Recipe!Fic Challenge

2010-03-22T12:39:00Z

A special announcement!

2010-03-05T10:15:00Z

Posted by: dreamflower

Shire Kitchen Recipe!Fic Challenge 2010

This will be the SIXTH Annual Shire Kitchen Recipe!Fic Challenge! And this year there will be something different!

I will be announcing the Challenge shortly. But I want to let everyone know ahead of time, this year there will be an incentive to enter the challenge.

I have made a special Shire Kitchen apron. This apron is a unique piece of wearable art! Every participant in the Challenge will get an opportunity to win the apron! A name will be chosen at random from among all the writers who enter a story in the Challenge, and that person will win the apron!

Pictures of the apron are behind the cut: ( Read more... )

I hope that this will inspire a number of you out there to participate in the coming challenge! Keep an eye out for the announcement of the theme, rules and deadline!

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A special announcement!

2010-03-05T10:15:00Z

Celebrate! 2009 Shire Kitchen Recipe!Fic Challenge

2009-04-27T17:14:00Z

Posted by: dreamflower

We only had three stories entered into the shire_kitchen Celebrate! Recipe!Fic Challenge, though late entries are always welcome!

My story: Taking the Cake It's Frodo's last birthday before he leaves Bag End on the Quest, and Lily Cotton is making his birthday cake...

The other two stories are:

Of Bread and Butter by ceshaughnessy While Pippin's mother makes bread, Pippin and Tulip find a new friend.

Sensitivities by telperion1 In which Nob makes a mistake and worries about the consequences. Even in Middle-earth, they must have had food allergies.

(Cross-posted to dreamflower02)

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Celebrate! 2009 Shire Kitchen Recipe!Fic Challenge

2009-04-27T17:14:00Z

Taking the Cake by Dreamflower

2009-04-27T16:38:00Z

Posted by: dreamflower

Rating: G
Author’s Notes: This story takes place between Chapters 16 and 17 of my story “A Conspiracy of Hobbits”.
Summary: Lily Cotton bakes Frodo’s last birthday cake before he leaves on the Quest…

Taking the Cake
( Read more... )

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