Lords and Ladies,
In case you haven’t noticed, I am quite excited about the return of Downton Abbey this weekend. In anticipation of the new season, I am going to help you plan your own Downton Abbey-worthy feast. I’ll be sharing recipes that were inspired by The Unofficial Downton Abbey Cookbook by Emily Ansara Baines. It’s a cute book. All of the recipes are name after the character’s from the show, i.e. Lady Mary’s Crab Canapes, etc.
On our Menu-
Hors d’Ouvres: Crab Canapes, Stuffed Mushrooms
First Course: Cream of Mushroom Soup, Creamy Russet Leek Soup
Second Course: Poached Salmon with Creamy Hollandaise
Third Course: Lobster Thermidor
Fourth Course: Seven-Hour Leg of Lamb
Fifth Course: Duchess Potatoes
Dessert: Apple Charlotte (recipe chosen from Mastering the Art of French Cooking by Julia Child, Simone, Beck, and Louisette Bertholle)
Tea Time: Cucumber Sandwiches and Crumpets
Wine Selections: Downton Abbey Bordeaux Blanc (white), Downton Abbey Bordeaux Claret (red) **Available for purchase at World Market.
Note: There would typically be Hors d’Ouvres followed by 7 courses, then finished with dessert. I have selected 5 courses to include in my menu, along with hors d’ouvres, dessert, and a couple of recipes for tea time. Play around, have fun, and watch some Downton Abbey! (And cross your fingers that I don’t break my China!)
How To Fold a Napkin (The Rosebud Napkin Fold)
Happy folding!
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- 1. Lay napkin face-down on your work surface.
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- 2. Fold napkin in half diagnonally.
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- 3. Rotate napkin so that the open ends point away from you.
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- 4. Fold lower right corner up to meet with the top center point.
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- 5. Fold lower left corner up to meet the top center point, creating a diamond shape.
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- 6. Flip napkin over, keeping open end pointing away from you.
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- 7. Fold bottom of napkin up, leaving about 11/2-inch border..
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- 8. Flip napkin over.
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- 9. Bring left and right corners together, tucking one into the other, forming a circle. Ta-Da!
Here are some more ideas and tips for hosting your own Downton Abbey-inspired party.
Love the details of folding napkins. I recently had a Downton Abbey themed party and had fun items from the heritage lace collection that I still have as decor in my home!