Dinner with Dickens: Recipes inspired by the life and work of Charles Dickens
£7.20
Recipes and menus from the novels and the household of Charles Dickens, one of the world’s favourite authors.
Dinner with Dickens celebrates the food of Victorian England by recreating dishes the author wrote about with such gusto, and enjoyed in real life. Food in the novels not only creates character and comedy, but is also a means of highlighting social issues. A grand wedding breakfast skewers ostentation in a wealthy household. A bread-and-butter tea conjures honesty and companionship. The gruel given to hungry children exposes a cruel and unjust regime.
The characters who throng Dickens novels are forever offering one another punch or seed biscuits; arranging a nice little supper of pickled salmon, salad and tea; showing concern with a roast fowl; or sisterly love with a painstakingly made beefsteak pudding. And, of course, there is the great feast of Christmas, celebrated in glorious style even by the impoverished Cratchits. At home, Dickens’ wife Catherine helped him entertain, and published (under a pseudonym) her own book, What Shall We Have for Dinner?, with pages of menus or “bills of fare” for different sizes of party and the changing seasons.
In Dinner with Dickens, Pen Vogler has fully updated recipes from contemporary Victorian cookbooks, including Catherine’s own book. Clear instructions enable you to recreate mutton stuffed with oysters, Betsey Prig’s Twopenny Salad, Dickens’ own recipe for punch and the Dickens family’s Twelfth Cake. In addition there are features on topics such as Dickens Abroad, Shopping for Food and Eating Out, with fascinating insights into housekeeping, entertaining and social history.
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Additional information
| Publisher | CICO Books (10 Oct. 2017) |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Hardcover | 176 pages |
| ISBN-10 | 9781782494492 |
| ISBN-13 | 978-1782494492 |
| Dimensions | 19.05 x 2.03 x 23.5 cm |
by Book addict
This is such a wonderful book. Completely delivers in every way. A delve into Dickens with historical observations of dining and customs but more importantly, the food photography, styling, recipes are sumptuous, and mouthwatering. Taken from contemporary Victorian sources. I’ve bought a few books in this vein and have always been slightly disappointed but this book is the real thing. I only wish the author had a series.
by cheryl homewood
Great item
by Amaryllis
A very interesting book with great recipes, illustrated in colour, referenced to various of Dickens’ characters and his own family meals plus wonderful anecdotes inspired by the life and work of Charles Dickens. I love it.
by FebruaryMaiden
What a beautiful book! Engaging descriptions, georgeous illustrations and photographs, fascinating recipes. I have made the Dolly Varden cake twice (four layers of different colours and flavours). A great compliment to Dinner with Mr Darcy and even more exciting.
by Amazon Customer
Joyous book for both dickens lovers and foodies. Sumptuously produced and lots of interesting recipes. Don’t read when you are feeling hungry …
A worthy successor to Dinner with Mr Darcy! And my Christmas present challenge solved …