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TV Dinners: The Tudors - Birds Baked In a Pie

YumSugar — Wed, 11 Apr 2007 06:57:39 -0700

This week's TV Dinner is a little bit spectacular, and unfortunately one that you're not going to be able to make at home (at least not easily and not without getting the health board, peta and animal control upset at you).

I have a thing for older cookbooks, and recently I came across one by food historian Esther B. Aresty called The Delectable Past (1964). In it, Aresty shares several recipes from her collection of rare and collectable books - including recipes dating back to the middle ages. While reading it, I came across a recipe for a pie that would have birds fly out of it (just like the nursery rhyme). I thought it was pretty interesting, but didn't think I'd ever have any reason to bring it up. I was wrong.

This week I was watching the second episode of The Tudors and during the episode Jonathan Rhys-Meyers presents the king of France with a large tart. The king doesn't seem that amused until he begins to cut it open and PWHOOSH! out flies a bunch of birds. When I saw it I honestly flipped out and got really excited, I honestly had to rewind it and then squeal, "Wah! I just found the next TV dinner!"

To check out the ye olde recipe for live birds in a pie, and get a link to a video clip, read more

Sorry no clip this time, but you can find it at Showtime's website - click videos then choose episode 2, "A Surprising Gift").

To make Pies that the Birds may be alive in them, and flie out when it is cut up.
From Epulario, 1598

Make the coffin of a great pie or pastry, in the bottome thereof make a hole as big as your fist, or bigger if you will, let the sides of the coffin bee somewhat higher then ordinary pies, which done put it full of flower and bake it, and being baked, open the hole in the bottome, and take out the flower. Then having a pie of the bigness of the hole in the bottome of the coffin aforesaid, you shal put it into the coffin, withall put into the said coffin round about the aforesaid pie as many small live birds as the empty coffin will hold, besides the pie aforesaid. And this is to be done at such time as you send the pie to the table, and set before the guests: where uncovering or cutting up the lid of the great pie, all the birds will flie out, which is to delight and pleasure shew to the company. And because they shall not bee altogether mocked, you shall cut open the small pie, and in this sort you may make many others, the like you may do with a tart.

This Thanksgiving Make a Savory Side of Madeleine

YumSugar — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 16:15:54 -0800

One of the most overlooked items on a Thanksgiving table is the bread; often it is nothing more than store-bought rolls. Although I've made buttermilk biscuits in the past, this year I was looking for a bread item that can be made in advance. I was thrilled to find a creative alternative in this recipe for savory madeleine.
The batter is basically a cornbread, but as the madeleines cook the shell side bakes to a delightful crispness that enhances the texture of the bread. I seasoned each of the madeleines with different ingredients using sage, Gruyére cheese and kalamata olives. Other great flavor options are jalapeno, rosemary, or sun-dried tomato. The possibilities are endless - you could even season them to complement each course of the meal. To try this delectable alternative to the traditional Thanksgiving rolls or biscuits, read more.

Savory Madeleines
From Martha Stewart

Ingredients

8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup cornmeal
1/4 cup sugar
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons salt
4 large eggs
2 cups whole milk
3 1/2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh sage
1/2 cup finely chopped Kalamata pitted olives
1/2 cup shredded Gruyére cheese
Olive Oil or Canola Spray for greasing pans

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease madeleine pans.
Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat until lightly browned, about 2 minutes. Let cool slightly.
Whisk flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl. Whisk in eggs, milk, and browned butter until smooth. Divide batter among 3 bowls.
To create 3 different flavors, fold 1 filling into each bowl of batter (sage, olives, and Gruyére cheese). Divide batter among pans, filling cups 3/4 full.
Bake until golden brown and firm, 8 to 10 minutes. Immediately unmold, and let cool completely on wire racks.

Makes 42 Madelines.

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YumSugar Gift Guide: Homemade Goodies

partysugar — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 15:18:30 -0800

Over the past couple of weeks, we've bombarded you with tons of outstanding gift ideas. From cupcakes to wine, we've got you covered. But what about gifts that highlight your prowess in the kitchen? Beautifully-packaged homemade goods - cookies, candies, jams, spice mixes, crackers, etc. - make excellent gifts.

Give baked goods to teachers, babysitters, hair stylists, or anyone who helps make your life easier. Package in clear baggies, festive boxes, or decorative tins tied with gorgeous ribbon. To help you get started, I've searched the Internet and complied a list of fabulous recipes that will make delectable gifts. To check it out all you have to do is read more.

Cookies:

Candy:

Savory:

Alcohol:

Did I forget your favorite homemade gift? Please share your ideas with us below!
Source

Second Date: An Easy, Romantic, Homemade Dinner

partysugar — Tue, 13 Feb 2007 15:13:13 -0800

You've made it past the first date, the first kiss, and those first awkward silences. He has grilled steaks for you at his place while you watched him dreamily and sipped on your Pinot. Now it's your turn to invite him over for a thoughtful and delectable meal prepared by you! If you start to panic while reading the above scenario, take a deep breath, I've come here to rescue you. First of all you can (and will) prepare an easy dinner that will wow him. No man can refuse a good old plate of meat and potatoes so give him what he wants: chicken and potatoes. Show off your sophisticated style by taking regular chicken 'n' taters to the next level: Chicken Roll-Ups With Goat Cheese And Arugula and Garlic Roast Potatoes. The potatoes can be roasting in the oven when he arrives and the rolled up chicken waiting to be cooked in the fridge. Cap the night with Easy No-Bake Peanut Butter Squares: or purchase a sweet treat at your favorite bakery. Make sure he brings the wine and you're guaranteed to have an easy, stress-free romantic dinner.