Being Geek Chic is a blog about one woman navigating the male-dominated industries of production and tech. It's written by Elizabeth Giorgi, Founder, CEO and Director of Mighteor - one of the world's first internet video production companies. Learn more about Mighteor here.
We’re ushering in 2015 with a dash of charm, a sprinkle of etiquette, and a heaping cup of clout. Fully inspired by a new season of Downton Abbey and eating up the latest frivolities and follies of the Crawley family, we turn to Pamela Foster, our Lady Geek of the Week.
With a passion for food and a degree in history, Foster’s the chef-in-chief of Downton Abbey Cooks, a blog devoted to the recipes and menus of our favorite fictional Yorkshire country estate. Foster’s also published “Abbey Cooks Entertain,” a cookbook of over 220 recipes for Downton-inspired entertaining throughout the year.
Follow Foster’s wise words and in no time, your command of the kitchen will rival Mrs. Patmore’s.
In the meantime, check out Foster’s Q&A with Being Geek Chic, and learn how it all started…
Q: How did you discover your passion for historical cooking?
A: I always had an interest in cooking and I learned how to cook traditional family dishes with through my grandmothers. I focused my degree in social history since I was more interested in how people lived than the tales of the conquerors. But it was a binge session of Downton Abbey S1 which sparked my desire to share my knowledge and passion with fellow fans.
Q: Where do you find your inspiration in life?
A: Chocolate. Do I need to say more?!
Q: Favorite Downton dish?
A: My favorite dish has to be the chicken which fell on the floor, promptly snatched by one of the barn cats. After it was rescued it was brushed off and served. What happens in the kitchen stays in the kitchen—remember that the next time you dine out!
Q: If you could take any Downton character out for a drink, whom would you choose and what would you drink?
A: I have always had a soft spot for Daisy. We see her character grow up throughout the seasons. Since she is not much of a drinker we would put the kettle on. I would treat her to a scrumptious Afternoon Tea with tea and treats.
Q: What would you tell your 13-year-old self?
A: Your horse is not the love of your life. Your tall, dark and handsome prince charming will come along to sweep you off your feet. You will be waiting a long time, but it will be worth it. His noble English roots will inspire and support you while you share your love of the food of Downton Abbey. You will even write a cookbook to help fans entertain family and fellow fans in the spirit of Downton.
Emma Bauer is a Being Geek Chic Contributor. Clearly, she’s got great taste. She is a PR enthusiast, dog lover, tea drinker, art appreciator, and of course, aspires to Be Geek Chic. Follow her on Twitter: @emmalynnbauer
To celebrate the premiere of the third season of Downton Abbey in the U.S., I thought we’d celebrate with some beef pasties, which are classy enough for the “upstairs” crowd and delicious to those “downstairs” as well.
This recipe is adapted from one in the “unofficial” Downton Abbey Cookbook.
I’m not usually a fan of these kinds of cookbooks, but this one is kind of fun because it combines both recipes for food that has been featured on the show and recipes that might have been served both “upstairs” and “downstairs” in the times of Downton.
Classic Cornish Pasties were a simple recipe to make to eat Sunday while I watched the first episode of the new series. Here’s the recipe, with my notes and tweaks.
RECIPE: (adapted from The Unofficial Downton Abbey Cookbook
)
Filling:
*Note: the original recipe didn’t make clear whether or not to put the beef in cooked or uncooked. In general, I’m not a fan of making handpies or dumplings with raw meat fillings. I took a small eye round roast, tenderized it, and braised it gently for about 2 hours.
1. Whisk together salt and flour, then cut butter and lard into the flour until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs. A pastry blender is nice for this, but you can use your fingers if needed.
2. In a separate small bowl, whisk together egg yolk and water. Mix into the flour until a dough begins to form. Knead gently until the dough is smooth and fully combined.
3. Shape the dough into a wide disc and wrap in plastic. Refrigerate for 30 minutes or more.
4. While the dough is chilling, preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Dice the onion, potatoes and beef. Combine in a large mixing bowl and season with salt and pepper. If the beef is still warm from cooking, you may want to put into the fridge for a bit to help it cool down.
5. Remove the dough from the refrigerator and split into 6 equal pieces. Roll out on a nonstick surface to until 6-inches across. Flour the surface and pin if needed.
6. Whisk together remaining egg and milk in a small bowl.
7. Place a rounded ¼ measuring cup of filling in the center of each pastry piece, then brush the edges with the egg wash. Fold each pasty over and press the edges to seal. You may need to shift some of the filling to make the half-moon shape.
8. Place each pasty on a parchment lined baking sheet. Brush with the rest of the egg wash and cut 3 tiny slits into the top of each. You can crimp the edges of the pasty for a little style.
9. Bake for 17 minutes at 400 degrees, then lower the temperature to 350 and bake an additional 18 minutes. Cool slightly before serving.
Additional note: this recipe makes enough filling to potentially make about 10 pasties. You can multiply the pastry recipe by 1.5 to create an equal amount of pastry dough, or, as I did, freeze the filling until next time.
Emma Carew Grovum is a data journalist working at the Chronicle of Philanthropy in Washington, D.C. She previously worked as the Digital Editor for The Cooking Club of America and blogs at kitchendreamer.blogspot.com Emma loves Star Wars, pandas and all things Joss Whedon. Find her on twitter at @emmacarew.
First, I want to start by thanking everyone for taking part in the giveaway this week. Your tweets were funny and charming.
So, I won’t delay.
Please email me at beinggeekchic(at)gmail(dot)com for more instructions. Thanks again to everyone who entered. I’ll keep doing giveaways as long as you all keep enjoying them and entering!
Alright, shall we talk about the things that made my geeky heart pit-pat this week? For starters, I love when designers take something we all got used to being somewhat ugly or boring and make it pretty.
Examples? Of course!
See Branding 10,000 Lakes.
See the United States Postal Service reimagined.
This week, Game of Thrones got their turn:
Game of Thrones gets a rebrand courtesy of a Nike Designer
Game of Thrones fan Darrin Crescenzi noticed that while the GoT books had a lot of text-based description of each of the houses and their sigils, there weren’t many depictions of them artistically. Suddenly, a design and then a print is born. Unfortunately, only 250 were made, but if you cross your fingers (and ask him nicely on Twitter) you might discover another run in the works.
New Downton Abbey Trailers!
To say that this is giving me heart butterflies is the understatement of the year. I paused this about 50 times to get a good look at the new butler - but alas. Too damn fast, ITV.
As you know, I’m a writer. Therefore, I write things. This week, I wrote these:
Five Great Documentaries to Stream on Netflix Tonight
Are You or Your Child Carrying too Much?
One of the best parts of watching a cult show like Downton Abbey is that the media and blogosphere continues to feed your obsession every week as each episode airs with recaps and Q&As and features on the actors, writers and directors. Amanda Dobbins writes the Downton Abbey Recaps over at New York Magazine for the Vulture blog and they’re the best. Seriously, the best.
Here’s a sampling:
“Two weeks ago, when Downton bid good-bye to poor William, this recapper made the mistake of spending her one allowable Four Weddings and a Funeral reference per season on that deathbed marriage combo. How were we to know that four weddings — or at least three sets of wedding preparations and one actual ceremony — plus yet another funeral would present themselves on a silver platter in a single (two hour) episode?”
The finale Sunday put me in a real funk. I’m frankly wondering how the hell PBS and Julian Fellowes and the whole crew at Masterpiece can expect us all to wait 11 months for another episode. However, I suppose if folks did it last year, they can do it again this time around right? If you are experiencing similar pangs of depression over your loss of weekly Mary/Matthew sexual tension, then head on over to Vulture and read Dobbins’s excellent recaps.
Maybe you’ll read the whole series over again? Doesn’t hurt to be reminded of how we almost lost hope over Matthew’s reproductive organ!
(NOTE: Amanda Dobbins isn’t actually Maggie Smith. Although, I have my suspicions. I couldn’t find a picture of Dobbins anywhere, so I’ve resorted to screengrab of my favorite Downton character.)
I’m obsessed with Downton Abbey at the moment. So why not get dressed for the modern times with an English countryside spin. The Union Jack is the core of the design here. The combination of floral and plaid gives it a fabulous gaudy look… I think it could be a perfect fit for Lady Edith.
Here’s the details:
1. Mercy Delta Union Jack Silk Scarf, Far Fetch, $230
2. Lace Fitted Georgia Dress, Top Shop, $96
3. Betsey Johnson’s Cupid Arrow Pearl Earrings, Zappos, $38
4. Indigo by Clarks Water Row Boot, Endless, $49
5. Fringe for Life Thigh Highs, Mod Cloth, $27.99
I’m kind of dying at the idea of wearing a Union Jack scarf and earrings every day for the next week. Just saying. Must find a budget friendly version of this one!
