I ventured on to making my third recipe attempt from The Unofficial Downton Abbey Cookbook by making the Spinach and Feta Salad with Fresh Beetroot. I was a little wary at first because I had not had a lot of success combining beets with feta but if I could like this salad, I would be very impressed with the cookbook. It was a good test.
When I started making the salad dressing using frozen orange juice concentrate, I wondered how often this ingredient would find its way into the pantry in Downton Abbey, LOL.
I had gone to a lot of effort to perfectly cook the beets. The feta alone cost me $7. As I started putting everything together I just had a bad feeling that I was not going to enjoy it as much the author claimed everyone at Downton Abbey would.
I took one bite and knew I was right. Beets and feta are just wrong together. I did not say anything and waited for Reg’s response. He immediately did not like it either and felt that it was just wrong. If only it had been goat cheese, this salad would have worked and I would have more confidence in the cookbook.
From the salty Hollandaise Sauce…
and then the yummy Creamless Steak au Poivre, this cookbook is not consistent. I want to believe in it. I want to feel that it is accurate to the time period but frozen orange concentrate? If the flavours had worked I could forgive it but after this crappy salad, I was done. I could not put more money, time and effort into The Unofficial Downton Abbey Cookbook.
The cookbook is $16.99 U.S. and $18.99 Canadian according to the back of the book. It is a trade paper paperback book with no photographs. I love unusual cookbooks that you have to bring your creative spirit, as long as there is some sort of payoff. Sadly, the witty introductions to the recipes are just not enough to lure me into the world of the Crawley’s kitchen.
My experience just did not convince me that I should go out and pick up lobsters for the Lobster Thermidor or make the Filet Mignon with Foie Gras and Truffle Sauce which is a shame because I wanted to. I wanted to believe in this cookbook enough to go out and invest in the ingredients and make these dream-come-true recipes.
There is an entertainment factor with this book that I thoroughly enjoyed but I just could not believe in the food. As a result, I can only give The Unofficial Downton Abbey Cookbook two and a half out of five wooden spoons. What a shame. I had high hopes for this one!
Talk about the lobster reminded me of that time you found lobster tails for super duper cheap. And oh my gosh, why is Feta so high. We love the stuff but the price, bummer city.
Happy Cooking 🙂
Oh those were the good old seafood days of living on the east coast! I could get a fresh tail here for $8 though, I almost did but I held back. I could only pick up a big brick of feta at my store so it was a lot, been using it in wraps, totally delicious. Happy Cooking to you too!
That’s wonderful that you got a big brick. Tim would LOVE that. It’s so nice in salads. Actually, it’s the only cheese I do like in salads. The rest I dislike with my veg.
Steak and salad tonight, no dairy. But I do make killer breakfast diner-style potatoes for the salad. And thin, thin, steak.
Tomorrow it’s chicken and waffles. Before bed I emailed you the picture of the waffle maker.
Oh no .. I hear puppies crying outside. Best get my mud boots on and see what’s up. Might as well scoop some poop, too.
Happy Christmas, Suzie. To you and Reg. Very happy to have you in my life. You my friend, rock.
Hugs & Bugs,
– Me
Oh, diner-style potatoes! Sweet! Love those. Love the waffle maker too, so happy for you. Perfect addition to your kitchen. Merry Christmas my friend! You totally rock too.
The only time I enjoy feta cheese is when it’s in spanakopita.
It’s great in Greek salads too and Greek wraps that I make all the time now, since I have a huge honking piece of it! Oh I do love spanakopita. Wish Reg did. He hates cooked spinach for some reason.
Oh yeah, Greek salads too! Thanks for the reminder. And it’s okay if Reg doesn’t like spanakopita — just make one and eat it all yourself, LOL! I certainly could.
I always make sure to order spanakopita when I am at a Greek restaurant and yes, have made it all for myself. Love it!!! I can’t imagine not liking it. His loss!