Oh, hello!
Today I'm putting together a picnic for Mr Strutt, Lady Braybrooke's son-in-law, to take
with him on his journey back to his townhouse in London.
I'm going to make sausage rolls and raspberryade to go with it.
For these recipes, you will need...
These sausage rolls are very easy to make and very portable, ideal for a busy man to
take with him.
He could even put it in his pocket.
I've got some bread dough here that was made by Fanny.
Her father was a baker and she likes to keep her hand in.
It's already had its first proofing so these are ready for me to start making into sausage
rolls.
I'm going to make a baker's dozen so I've already divided them up and now all I need
to do is put into the middle a little sausage meat.
We buy in our daily bread nowaways.
Long gone are the days when a house like this would make its own bread but I think it's
important for the girls to know how to make it.
Then they can make things like lardy cake.
I will admit that we tend to use the packet German yeast, the stuff that comes in blocks,
because it's easier.
Although I would rather use brewer's yeast as it's fresher.
This sausage meat comes from the butcher in Walden, although I should imagine that he
uses pigs reared here on Lord Braybrooke's estate.
Sausage meat, or 'force meat' as this is properly called, is very useful.
It's good for adding flavours but you have to trust your butcher.
I've heard of butchers putting all sorts of things in the force meat!
But I can rely on the butcher in Walden.
It's good to have a good relationship with your suppliers.
Now these are done, they're going to have a second proofing and then go into a fast
oven for twenty minutes.
This is another simple recipe.
You need raspberries and redcurrants, and sugar.
Bruised together.
And some water.
A little hot to dissolve the sugar.
And I'm now going to leave this to infuse for the day.
Now that this has infused for a whole day...
I'm going to add a little cream of tartar to make it fizz.
And now I'm going to put it in my bottles.
You can of course make this cordial with any summer fruit.
Strawberries or even apples.
Anything that's soft.
It's a nice alternative to lemonade or orangeade which are very popular.
This is not quite a full bottle.
I might save this for my half day.
Mr Strutt is traveling to London on the train.
It's not very far but it's important that he has something to eat, should he need it.
My sausage rolls are looking lovely.
I asked Mary-Ann to put on a glaze before they went in.
I'm going to wrap up six.
You could of course get refreshments at the station.
But it won't be as good.
I have some sandwiches left over from luncheon.
Mr Strutt will be traveling with his manservant but he will travel in second class while Mr
Strutt will be traveling in first class.
So it's important that I've provided food that doesn't need any slicing or any preparation.
I understand that when the Queen travels on the train the hampers are full of stews, pies,
roast fowl and a great deal of cake.
Ah!
Queen's Drop biscuits.
But I think this will be enough... for one man.
I'm going to add fresh strawberries and cream and Mr Lincoln will add some claret.
There we are.
A picnic hamper for one.