Don’t be intimidated by the list of ingredients. This isn’t fancy Elven baking chemistry. Like most Shire foods, this is good, solid stuff that can handle a lot of improvisation depending on what you happen to have in your pantry. All you really need is some butter, sugar, flour, eggs, a cup of whatever fruits you like best, a couple
Read more
Wine Braised Oxtails A lot of people shy away from cuts of meat full of bone and fat. It’s a shame, because that’s where the best flavor hides. In Tolkien’s day, nose to tail eating was the norm. A nice segmented oxtail was a great way to get a few bites of rich meat for the whole family with the
Read more
Chocolate and vanilla may seem ubiquitous today, but they’re actually both new world beans. That means Tolkien explicitly excluded them from the Shire, even though both flavors were quite popular in Victorian England. Plum Heavies were the cheap, kids cookies of their day. Victorian country cooks would knead in a handful of diced plums plus a little extra sugar into
Read more
These petite apple pies can be enjoyed either as a hearty vegetarian breakfast when visiting Beorn or as a durable teatime treat capable of keeping their shape after bumping around in your pack for a few days. Apple Hand Pies Two Ways Filling: 8 granny smith apples, peeled, cored and diced small 1 cup sugar 2 tbsp melted butter 2
Read more
It’s well known Hobbits love mushrooms. These hearty hand pies are an inexpensive and durable way to bring the best taste of the Shire along on any adventure. Enjoy a couple for a quick Elevenses or save them for supper when the crust can soak up a little mutton gravy. While Hobbits are well known for enjoying meat as much
Read more
This hearty pub grub makes a perfect luncheon for anyone fresh back from a tiring morning adventure. Serve it alongside a hearty crust of country bread and a fresh picked salad and you won’t feel the least bit peckish until afternoon tea. Scotch Eggs are traditionally a deep fried decadence. However, fat was often very expensive in rural communities, and
Read more
These pies are a great snack for small adventures taken just outside the borders of the Shire. A hunk of bread, a little cheese, and 2-3 of these make a perfectly portable elevenses, just the right size to tide you over until a civilized lunch back in the comfort of your Hobbit Hole. In the middle ages, mincemeat pies included
Read more
Since Tolkien said the Shire was based on nostalgic memories of his childhood, these honey cakes are inspired by late Victorian recipes for twice baked cakes. The second baking hardens the honey glaze in place while firming up the crust, giving them a moist, tender interior and a sweet, crunchy exterior. Honey Cakes 1 ¾ c / 220 g all-purpose
Read more
Many modern readers imagine seed cake to be chock full of sunflower or pumpkin seeds, but it turns out Tolkien grew up on a decadently buttery version of pound cake full of caraway seeds. They have a sweet, licorice flavor reminiscent of a milder, earthier version of anise seeds. You can find them at most Indian groceries. They’ve been out
Read more
Hobbitses can not take my precious. The eye will stop them. Fill their bellies, it will. Then, when they can not move, they will be mine! All mine! Eye of Sauron 1 tube crescent dough 8 large pasta shells 8 premade meatballs 1 cup red pasta sauce 8 tsp shredded mozzarella Boil their shells eyes till soft and tender. Unroll
Read more