1. 5 Nov


    Beef Consomme from DIA We had reached the second course without incident, and I was beginning to relax slightly, though my hand still had a tendency to tremble over the consommé. “How perfectly fascinating!”  I said, in response to a story of the younger Monsieur Duverney’s, to which I wasn’t listening, my ears being tuned for any suspicious noises abovestairs.  “Do tell me more.” I caught Magnus’s eye as he served the Comte St. Germain, seated across from me, and beamed congratulations at him as well as I could with a mouthful of fish.  Too well trained to smile in public, he inclined his head a respectful quarter-inch and went on with the service.  My hand went to the crystal at my neck, and I stroked it ostentatiously as the Comte, with no sign of perturbation on his saturnine features, dug into the trout with almonds. Diana Gabaldon, Dragonfly in Amber (Chapter 18 – Rape in Paris) recipe…

    Beef Consomme from DIA

    We had reached the second course without incident, and I was beginning to relax slightly, though my hand still had a tendency to tremble over the consommé.

    “How perfectly fascinating!”  I said, in response to a story of the younger Monsieur Duverney’s, to which I wasn’t listening, my ears being tuned for any suspicious noises abovestairs.  “Do tell me more.”

    I caught Magnus’s eye as he served the Comte St. Germain, seated across from me, and beamed congratulations at him as well as I could with a mouthful of fish.  Too well trained to smile in public, he inclined his head a respectful quarter-inch and went on with the service.  My hand went to the crystal at my neck, and I stroked it ostentatiously as the Comte, with no sign of perturbation on his saturnine features, dug into the trout with almonds.

    Diana Gabaldon, Dragonfly in Amber (Chapter 18 – Rape in Paris)

    recipe…

     

  2. 17 Sep


    Mamacita’s Sangria from Voyager “Have you ever drunk sangria, Mrs. Fraser?” I opened my mouth to say “Yes,” thought better of it, and said, “No, what is it?” Sangria had been a popular drink in the 1960s, and I had had it many times at faculty parties and hospital social events.  But for now, I was sure that it was unknown in England and Scotland; Mrs. Fraser of Edinburgh would never have heard of sangria. “A mixture of red wine and the juices of orange and lemon,” Lawrence Stern was explaining.  “Mulled with spices, and served hot or cold, depending on the weather.  A most comforting and healthful beverage, is it not, Fogden?” Diana Gabaldon, Voyager (Chapter 50 – I Meet a Priest) Read more and find the recipe here.

    Mamacita’s Sangria from Voyager

    “Have you ever drunk sangria, Mrs. Fraser?”

    I opened my mouth to say “Yes,” thought better of it, and said, “No, what is it?” Sangria had been a popular drink in the 1960s, and I had had it many times at faculty parties and hospital social events.  But for now, I was sure that it was unknown in England and Scotland; Mrs. Fraser of Edinburgh would never have heard of sangria.

    “A mixture of red wine and the juices of orange and lemon,” Lawrence Stern was explaining.  “Mulled with spices, and served hot or cold, depending on the weather.  A most comforting and healthful beverage, is it not, Fogden?”

    Diana Gabaldon, Voyager (Chapter 50 – I Meet a Priest)

    Read more and find the recipe here.

     

  3. 10 Sep


    Battlefield Blackberry Jam from The Fiery Cross Jamie and the Governor, shaken out of their nose to nose confrontation, had also retired to the shadows; I could see them, two stiff shadows, one tall and one shorter, standing close together.  The element of danger had gone out of their tête-a-tête, though; I could see Jamie’s head bent slightly toward Tryon’s shadow, listening. “… brought food,” Phoebe Sherston was telling me, her round face pink with excited self-importance.  “Fresh bread, and butter, and some blackberry jam and cold chicken and…” “Food!”  I said, abruptly reminded of the parcel I held under my arm.  “Do pardon me!” I gave her a quick, bright smile, and ducked away, leaving her open-mouthed in front of the tent. Diana Gabaldon, The Fiery Cross (Chapter 72 – Tinder and Char) Read more and get the recipe here.

    Battlefield Blackberry Jam from The Fiery Cross

    Jamie and the Governor, shaken out of their nose to nose confrontation, had also retired to the shadows; I could see them, two stiff shadows, one tall and one shorter, standing close together.  The element of danger had gone out of their tête-a-tête, though; I could see Jamie’s head bent slightly toward Tryon’s shadow, listening.

    “… brought food,” Phoebe Sherston was telling me, her round face pink with excited self-importance.  “Fresh bread, and butter, and some blackberry jam and cold chicken and…”

    “Food!”  I said, abruptly reminded of the parcel I held under my arm.  “Do pardon me!” I gave her a quick, bright smile, and ducked away, leaving her open-mouthed in front of the tent.

    Diana Gabaldon, The Fiery Cross (Chapter 72 – Tinder and Char)

    Read more and get the recipe here.

     

  4. 5 Sep


    Bangers & Mash with Crock Pot Onion Gravy from DIA “Where the hell have you been?” I demanded. He took time to kiss me before replying.  His face was cold against mine, and his lips tasted faintly and pleasantly of whisky. “Mm, sausage for supper?” he said approvingly, sniffing at my hair, which smelled of kitchen smoke.  “Good, I’m fair starved.” “Bangers and mash,” I said.  “Where have you been?” He laughed, shaking out his plaid to get the blown snow off.  “Bangers and mash?  That’s food, is it?” “Sausages with mashed potatoes,” I translated. “A nice traditional English dish, hitherto unknown in the benighted reaches of Scotland.  Now, you bloody Scot, where in hell have you been for the last two days?  Jenny and I were worried!” Diana Gabaldon, Dragonfly in Amber (Chapter 33 – Thy Brother’s Keeper) Read more and find the recipe here.

    Bangers & Mash with Crock Pot Onion Gravy from DIA

    “Where the hell have you been?” I demanded.

    He took time to kiss me before replying.  His face was cold against mine, and his lips tasted faintly and pleasantly of whisky.

    “Mm, sausage for supper?” he said approvingly, sniffing at my hair, which smelled of kitchen smoke.  “Good, I’m fair starved.”

    “Bangers and mash,” I said.  “Where have you been?”

    He laughed, shaking out his plaid to get the blown snow off.  “Bangers and mash?  That’s food, is it?”

    “Sausages with mashed potatoes,” I translated. “A nice traditional English dish, hitherto unknown in the benighted reaches of Scotland.  Now, you bloody Scot, where in hell have you been for the last two days?  Jenny and I were worried!”

    Diana Gabaldon, Dragonfly in Amber (Chapter 33 – Thy Brother’s Keeper)

    Read more and find the recipe here.

     

  5. 18 Aug


    Captain Alessandro’s Mango Rum Shots “Silence, mes amis,” said the big man, in a voice of pleasant command.  “Silence, et restez, s’il vous plaît.” Silence my friends, and do not move, if you please. I would have fallen, were I not already on my knees.  I closed my eyes in a wordless prayer of thanksgiving. Next to me, Marsalit gasped.  I opened my eyes and clapped a hand over her open mouth. The commander took off his hat, and shook out a thick mass of sweat-soaked auburn hair.  He grinned at Fergus, teeth white and wolfish in a  short, curly red beard. Diana Gabaldon, Voyager (Chapter 52 – A Wedding Takes Place) recipe at:  http://outlanderkitchen.com/2012/08/18/captain-alessandros-mango-rum-shots/

    Captain Alessandro’s Mango Rum Shots

    “Silence, mes amis,” said the big man, in a voice of pleasant command.  “Silence, et restez, s’il vous plaît.” Silence my friends, and do not move, if you please.

    I would have fallen, were I not already on my knees.  I closed my eyes in a wordless prayer of thanksgiving.

    Next to me, Marsalit gasped.  I opened my eyes and clapped a hand over her open mouth.

    The commander took off his hat, and shook out a thick mass of sweat-soaked auburn hair.  He grinned at Fergus, teeth white and wolfish in a  short, curly red beard.

    Diana Gabaldon, Voyager (Chapter 52 – A Wedding Takes Place)

    recipe at:  http://outlanderkitchen.com/2012/08/18/captain-alessandros-mango-rum-shots/

     

  6. 5 Aug


    They were a pair of bracelets.  Each made from the curving, almost-circular tusk of a wild boar, polished to a deep ivory glow, the ends capped with silver tappets, etched with flowered tracery. “Lord, they’re gorgeous!”  I’ve never seen anything so…so wonderfully barbaric.” Jenny was amused.  “Aye, that they are.  Someone gave them to Mother as a wedding gift, but she never would say who.  My father used to tease her now and then about her admirer, but she wouldna tell him, either, just smiled like a cat that’s had cream to its supper.  Here, try them.” The ivory was cool and heavy on my arm.  I couldn’t resist stroking the deep yellow surface, grained with age. “Aye, they suit ye,” Jenny declared.  “And they go wi’ that yellow gown, as well.  Here are the earbobs — put these on, and we’ll go down.” Diana Gabaldon,  Outlander (Chapter 31) A fast, easy and delicious appetizer!  Find the recipe here.

    They were a pair of bracelets.  Each made from the curving, almost-circular tusk of a wild boar, polished to a deep ivory glow, the ends capped with silver tappets, etched with flowered tracery.

    “Lord, they’re gorgeous!”  I’ve never seen anything so…so wonderfully barbaric.”

    Jenny was amused.  “Aye, that they are.  Someone gave them to Mother as a wedding gift, but she never would say who.  My father used to tease her now and then about her admirer, but she wouldna tell him, either, just smiled like a cat that’s had cream to its supper.  Here, try them.”

    The ivory was cool and heavy on my arm.  I couldn’t resist stroking the deep yellow surface, grained with age.

    “Aye, they suit ye,” Jenny declared.  “And they go wi’ that yellow gown, as well.  Here are the earbobs — put these on, and we’ll go down.”

    Diana Gabaldon,  Outlander (Chapter 31)

    A fast, easy and delicious appetizer!  Find the recipe here.

     

  7. 9 Jul


    Corn Dodgers from Drums of Autumn The English had always thought the Scottish Highlanders barbarians; I had never before considered the possibility that others might feel likewise. But these men had seen a ferocious savage, and approached him with due caution, arms at the ready. And Jamie, horrified beforehand at the thought of savage Red Indians, had seen their rituals—so like his own—and known them at once for fellow hunters; civilized men. Even now, he was speaking to them quite naturally, explaining with broad gestures how the bear had come upon us and how he had killed it. They followed him with avid attention, exclaiming in appreciation in all the right places. When he picked up the remains of the mangled fish and demonstrated my role in the proceedings, they all looked at me and giggled hilariously. I glared at all four of them. “Dinner,” I said loudly, “is served.” We shared a meal of half-roasted meat, corn dodgers, and whisky, watched throughout by the head of the bear, which perched ceremonially on its platform, dead eyes gone dull and gummy. Diana Gabaldon, Drums of Autumn (Chapter 15, Noble Savages)

    Corn Dodgers from Drums of Autumn

    The English had always thought the Scottish Highlanders barbarians; I had never before considered the possibility that others might feel likewise. But these men had seen a ferocious savage, and approached him with due caution, arms at the ready. And Jamie, horrified beforehand at the thought of savage Red Indians, had seen their rituals—so like his own—and known them at once for fellow hunters; civilized men.

    Even now, he was speaking to them quite naturally, explaining with broad gestures how the bear had come upon us and how he had killed it. They followed him with avid attention, exclaiming in appreciation in all the right places. When he picked up the remains of the mangled fish and demonstrated my role in the proceedings, they all looked at me and giggled hilariously.

    I glared at all four of them.

    “Dinner,” I said loudly, “is served.”

    We shared a meal of half-roasted meat, corn dodgers, and whisky, watched throughout by the head of the bear, which perched ceremonially on its platform, dead eyes gone dull and gummy.

    Diana Gabaldon, Drums of Autumn (Chapter 15, Noble Savages)

     

  8. 2 Jul


    Outlander Around the World Contest & Giveaway! It’s giveaway time again!  The perfect kind of blog post for a holiday kind of week.  (Here in North America at least.) I think this one is a lot of fun.  Oh, it’s a bit of work — 13 questions in all — but you should be able to answer at least a few of them off the top of your head.  And for the rest, there’s Google…(Did you know that you can drag almost any image into the search box on Google Images, and it will tell you what the picture is?  BIG HINT.) And the payoff is worth it!  I’ll leave you in suspense and wait until the end to unveil the prize, but I’m pretty sure you’ll be in once you see it.  So kick back for 10 minutes, put on your thinking cap, and join me for an Outlander journey around the world…Read the whole post here.

    Outlander Around the World Contest & Giveaway!

    It’s giveaway time again!  The perfect kind of blog post for a holiday kind of week.  (Here in North America at least.)

    I think this one is a lot of fun.  Oh, it’s a bit of work — 13 questions in all — but you should be able to answer at least a few of them off the top of your head.  And for the rest, there’s Google…(Did you know that you can drag almost any image into the search box on Google Images, and it will tell you what the picture is?  BIG HINT.)

    And the payoff is worth it!  I’ll leave you in suspense and wait until the end to unveil the prize, but I’m pretty sure you’ll be in once you see it.  So kick back for 10 minutes, put on your thinking cap, and join me for an Outlander journey around the world…

    Read the whole post here.

     

  9. 1 Jul


    “Are ye then? Oh, God, Claire!” He clasped me against his chest then, holding me tightly. “Jesus, Claire. I though he were dead, sure. You…you began to…go, somehow. You had the most awful look on your face, like ye were frightened to death. I — I pulled ye back from the stone. I stopped ye, I shouldna have done so — I’m sorry, lassie.”

    “Are ye then? Oh, God, Claire!” He clasped me against his chest then, holding me tightly. “Jesus, Claire. I though he were dead, sure. You…you began to…go, somehow. You had the most awful look on your face, like ye were frightened to death. I — I pulled ye back from the stone. I stopped ye, I shouldna have done so — I’m sorry, lassie.”

    (Source: distractedbypixels, via namalam)

     

  10. 26 Jun


    Laoghaire’s Whisky Sour “It’s true!”  She whirled toward Jamie, fists clenched against the cloak she still wore.  “It’s true!  It’s the Sassenach witch!  How could ye do such a thing to me, Jamie Fraser?” “Be still, Laoghaire!”  he snapped.  “I’ve done nothing to ye!” I sat up against the wall, clutching the quilt to my bosom and staring.  It was only when he spoke her name that I recognized her.  Twenty-odd years, ago, Laoghaire MacKenzie had been a slender sixteen-year-old, with rose-petal skin, moonbeam hair and a violent — and unrequited — passion for Jamie Fraser.  Evidently, a few things had changed. She was nearing forty and no longer slender, having thickened considerably.  The skin was still fair, but weathered, and stretched plumply over cheeks flushed with anger.  Strands of ashy hair straggled out from under her respectable white kertch.  The pale blue eyes were the same, though — they turned on me again, with the same expression of hatred I had seen in them long ago. “He’s mine!” she hissed.  She stamped her foot.  “Get ye back to the hell that ye came from, and leave him to me!  Go, I say!” Find the recipe and read more here. 

    Laoghaire’s Whisky Sour

    “It’s true!”  She whirled toward Jamie, fists clenched against the cloak she still wore.  “It’s true!  It’s the Sassenach witch!  How could ye do such a thing to me, Jamie Fraser?”

    “Be still, Laoghaire!”  he snapped.  “I’ve done nothing to ye!”

    I sat up against the wall, clutching the quilt to my bosom and staring.  It was only when he spoke her name that I recognized her.  Twenty-odd years, ago, Laoghaire MacKenzie had been a slender sixteen-year-old, with rose-petal skin, moonbeam hair and a violent — and unrequited — passion for Jamie Fraser.  Evidently, a few things had changed.

    She was nearing forty and no longer slender, having thickened considerably.  The skin was still fair, but weathered, and stretched plumply over cheeks flushed with anger.  Strands of ashy hair straggled out from under her respectable white kertch.  The pale blue eyes were the same, though — they turned on me again, with the same expression of hatred I had seen in them long ago.

    “He’s mine!” she hissed.  She stamped her foot.  “Get ye back to the hell that ye came from, and leave him to me!  Go, I say!”

    Find the recipe and read more here.