Fortnum and Mason

Last Thanksgiving I went home for a short trip to London. One of the highlights was a Food Tour that started out at Fortnum and Mason, I actually still can't believe I didn't go back and have afternoon tea there. It is a very old, famous department store in Piccadilly.


The Food tour guide was American, which was unfortunate as I knew much more about all the christmas traditions in England. I think I did a good job of keeping my mouth shut, for once! I may just do a blog about the whole tour later.


The entire store was decorated for Christmas and looked beautiful, I could have stayed there all day. My friend treated me to a few F&M goodies and we got his mum the famous Champagne, Strawberry Preserves that the guy at Gatwick confiscated and said he had to throw away. I am sure he enjoyed in on his toast for the month of December!


Being a very determined pair, we did pick up some similar Jam at Harrod's inside Gatwick - that was almost taken by a customs guy in Atlanta!  This is the original yummy one...

The Royal Family's favorite food hall is Fortnum & Masons.  Of course, they close the store for Royals to shop there!


The store was opened by Messrs Fortnum and Mason in 1707, they supplied provisions during both the Napoleonic and Crimean wars. Despite stocking a solid range of accessories, perfumes, furniture and homeware, the shop is, understandably, famed for its fantastic, upmarket food hall piled high with gastronomic delights and filled with chandeliers and marble pillars. Some of the delicacies here are a little overpriced but the quality is exceptionally high. If you're visiting London in the summer months and want to sink your teeth into a yummy picnic hamper, look no further; Fortnum's has supplied hampers to high society types at events such as the Henley Regatta and the Ascot Races. Even if you're not a foodie, the shop itself is worth a visit just to check out the fantastic decor. It is also an excellent place to pick up a gift. All the delicacies and luxuries on sale here come so beautifully packaged you won't want to open.

This hamper above is around $500 and can be ordered on their website. In 2008 when the store celebrated its 300th birthday they were selling hampers for $50,000 and you could get them delivered in a horse drawn carriage.

We particularly liked this hamper

On the roof on Fortnum's they have beehives which produces the honey they sell. It's true!

Here is a photo of the lovely Christmas crackers they had. The tour guide started the story on these and I finished it!

Fortnum's is just a really beautiful, old store, I prefer it to Harrod's. It is a perfect place to go for afternoon tea, so be sure to go there if you visit London.

Here is the link to their website
http://www.fortnumandmason.com/the-store.aspx




sigh - thanks for sharing my memory.

Bastille Day

Today is Bastille Day, July 14th, French Independence Day - La fete Nationale.

The French celebrate the anniversary of Bastille Day, when, in 1789, Parisians stormed the Bastille prison, setting off the French Revolution which toppled King Louis XVI and put an end to the French monarchy.

King Louis XVI and his wife Marie Antoinette took refuge in Versailles as the violent peasants pillaged and burned chateaux, and destroyed records of feudal dues—this reaction is known as the grande peur (great fear). For the peasant class, the Bastille stood as a symbol of the hypocrisy and corruption of the aristocratic government - controlled mostly by nobility and clergy. This important event marked the entry of the popular class into the French Revolution.

The French recognize Bastille Day as the end of the monarchy and beginning of the modern republic. The lasting significance of the event was in its recognition that power could be held by ordinary citizens, not in the king or in God.

Today, in Paris, the main event of the day is the traditional military parade along the Champs-Elysees. The French do celebrate in the same way as Americans, with fireworks at the end of the day.

For me, just an another excuse to talk about a food memory.
What still sticks in my mind about Paris and France, is the fresh bread & cheeses. Walking in the streets and discovering outdoor cafes, plus all these amazing Pâtisseries or Fromagerie (artisan cheese shop) Something wonderful around every corner that you turn. 
A huge cup (actually more like a bowl) of coffee in the morning there, dipping that fresh bread in it, is one of the best food memories I can think of! Especially with some Strawberry Jam - I'm sorry "confiture de fraises"!

Maybe this is where my bread and cheese craving got reinforced!

The closest thing we can do here is make a French dinner or picnic and celebrate Bastille day. 

Bon Appetit!

pour le moment, mes amis, au revoir

Anyone for Pimm's?

I have been thinking about Pimm's since Wimbledon started. It is the quintessential English drink, find it at other seasonal sporting events such as The Henley Regatta. It is the english equivalent of the Mint Julep at The Kentucky Derby.


The first time I went to Henley was working for an upscale London caterer, funnily enough I can't remember any of the food - just Pimm's! Henley is in Oxfordshire on the Thames, very snotty race with a strict dress code, ladies cannot wear anything but dresses and they must be below the knee - now that's ridiculous. I think they just relaxed the rule, to allow men to take off their jackets, but not their ties.

So, Henley would not be the same without a Pimm's. It is the drink of a cricket game too, which would definitely make the game a little less boring!


Pimm's originated in an Oyster Bar in London, owned by James Pimm's. He created the Pimm's "house cup" flavored with Liquors and fruit extract. There is even a Pimm's Bar at Wimbledon, it opened in 1971. The only drink more popular in England is Tea.


The garnish is important, cucumber, mint and strawberries. The classic recipe calls for one part Pimm's to two parts Lemonade, the American equivalent is Sprite.


Traditional Pimm’s Cup Recipe:-

2 oz. Pimm’s No. 1

4 oz. English lemonade or lemon-lime soda
Mint sprig, cucumber slice, strawberry slice and apple slice, for garnish

Add ice to a chilled tall glass. Add the Pimm’s and lemonade or lemon lime soda. Stir gently, and garnish with the mint sprig, cucumber slice, strawberry slice and apple slice.

Thanks for visiting my blog!

A Woman Sconed!

Y'all knew it was coming, the scone blog. I know you wish you had scratch and sniff computers now but you can always come get some! Most of my friends know my oven saga - the new one is due to come on July 12th - just in time to bake a cake for the kid's 17th birthday!


The Scone is the essential part of our English Afternoon Tea, best served with strawberry Jam and clotted cream, in my opinion. It is yet another food in my childhood memory list!


I've been making scones for probably 20-25 years. I did not do much cooking or baking with my father, but I can remember him teaching me how to feel the food with my hands when we made pastry and I feel that way with scones. I can also smell when they are done, slightly odd but true! I would only eat a scone fresh out of the oven, the only way to eat them.


Some people believe that the scone was named after the Stone of Destiny which was a stone throne on which Scottish kings would sit to be crowned. The Oxford dictionary on the other hand believes that it comes from a word "sgonn" meaning mouthful or shapeless mass, or the German word "sconbrot" meaning beautiful bread.

Originally, scones were made with oats, shaped into a large round, scored into four or six wedges and griddle-baked over an open fire. With the advent of oven baking, the round of dough was cut into wedges and the scones were baked individually. I actually thought about trying to grill some while I have had no stove - an alternative to the easy bake oven!

Today’s scones are quick breads, similar to American biscuits. They are traditionally made with wheat flour, sugar, baking powder or baking soda, butter, milk and eggs, and baked in the oven—both in the traditional wedge form and in round, square and diamond shapes. This recipe produces a hard, dry texture.

Traditional English scones may include raisins or currants, but are often plain, relying on jam, preserves, lemon curd or honey for added flavor—perhaps with a touch of clotted cream. Fancy scones—with dried fruit such as cranberries and dates, nuts, orange rind, chocolate morsels and other flavorings—are best enjoyed without butter and jam.

Getting ready for a small batch

These were Cinnamon Scones - you add your flavoring at the dry stage

I use Heavy Cream

For some reason I only took a photo of the unbaked - maybe I was delivering these unbaked to someone?

Here are some Freshly baked Lemon Poppyseed Scones! 

I don't give out my scone recipe - just the Scones!  


Thanks for reading.....