In a world where formal dinners are making a comeback, it's easy to romanticize the lives of the aristocracy. Thanks to period dramas like Downton Abbey, we can live vicariously through the Crawleys and their staff as they effortlessly navigate the complexities of high society.
The show's latest installment, The Grand Finale, brings us back to 1930 and the struggles of the Earl of Grantham with his dwindling finances. But despite the challenges, one thing remains constant: the importance of fine dining. From Yorkshire puddings to pavlovas, the film features an array of traditional British dishes that are both delicious and visually stunning.
However, what catches the eye is not just the food itself but the way it's presented. The character of Daisy, a young kitchen maid, is tasked with creating a special meal for a high-society guest, Noël Coward. Her dish of choice? Coquilles Saint-Jacques, essentially a frou-frou description for scallops au gratin.
But what makes this scene truly compelling is the contrast between Daisy's humble background and her newfound status as a gourmet chef. Meanwhile, in another corner of the world, the fifth season of Only Murders in the Building brings together three unlikely friends to solve a murder mystery at their upscale New York apartment building. Their dinner party is a masterclass in sophistication, with each course showcasing a different level of refinement.
Of particular note is the way duck à l'orange makes an appearance in both stories. For the Crawleys, it's a dish steeped in tradition and luxury, while for Charles-Haden Savage, it's a relic of a bygone era that's been revamped to suit modern tastes.
In reality, preparing duck à l'orange is not as daunting as one might assume. A simple rub of spices and olive oil can elevate the humble bird into a culinary masterpiece. With a dash of five spice powder, brown sugar, ginger, garlic, and kosher salt, you can create a dish that's both authentic and approachable.
In an era where fine dining is no longer just for the elite, it's refreshing to see these stories celebrating the art of entertaining. Whether you're an earl or a billionaire, the most important thing is to share a meal with loved ones. So go ahead, dust off those fancy plates, don your finest attire, and break out the nice china. It's time to make the duck and savor the moment.
The show's latest installment, The Grand Finale, brings us back to 1930 and the struggles of the Earl of Grantham with his dwindling finances. But despite the challenges, one thing remains constant: the importance of fine dining. From Yorkshire puddings to pavlovas, the film features an array of traditional British dishes that are both delicious and visually stunning.
However, what catches the eye is not just the food itself but the way it's presented. The character of Daisy, a young kitchen maid, is tasked with creating a special meal for a high-society guest, Noël Coward. Her dish of choice? Coquilles Saint-Jacques, essentially a frou-frou description for scallops au gratin.
But what makes this scene truly compelling is the contrast between Daisy's humble background and her newfound status as a gourmet chef. Meanwhile, in another corner of the world, the fifth season of Only Murders in the Building brings together three unlikely friends to solve a murder mystery at their upscale New York apartment building. Their dinner party is a masterclass in sophistication, with each course showcasing a different level of refinement.
Of particular note is the way duck à l'orange makes an appearance in both stories. For the Crawleys, it's a dish steeped in tradition and luxury, while for Charles-Haden Savage, it's a relic of a bygone era that's been revamped to suit modern tastes.
In reality, preparing duck à l'orange is not as daunting as one might assume. A simple rub of spices and olive oil can elevate the humble bird into a culinary masterpiece. With a dash of five spice powder, brown sugar, ginger, garlic, and kosher salt, you can create a dish that's both authentic and approachable.
In an era where fine dining is no longer just for the elite, it's refreshing to see these stories celebrating the art of entertaining. Whether you're an earl or a billionaire, the most important thing is to share a meal with loved ones. So go ahead, dust off those fancy plates, don your finest attire, and break out the nice china. It's time to make the duck and savor the moment.
i also love how both shows showcase different levels of refinement with duck à l'orange being a big part of it like its not just about the food but the experience and atmosphere you create when you're eating with people you care about 
my fave dinner party guest is definitely charles from only murders in the building he always wears the most stylish outfits and has the best one-liners 
It's all about sharing a meal with loved ones and making memories, right? So, yeah, let's all get fancy and break out the nice china...
. I love how period dramas are bringing back old traditions, but at the same time, I'm over the idea of having to wear fancy clothes just to eat a meal 
. And don't even get me started on how easy it is to make duck à l'orange - like, seriously, anyone can do that with some basic spices and oil 
.
And those dinner parties in Only Murders in the Building? Iconic. 
. It's all about finding that balance between tradition and modernity. Maybe we don't need all the fuss and formality, but a nice dinner party with good food and company sounds pretty perfect to me 
.
It's all about sharing a meal and making memories, not just about the food itself. I'm definitely going to give duck à l'orange a try, maybe even experiment with some new spices! 
? and then there's this one scene where daisy makes some fancy dish for noël coward and i'm like what's the big deal about coquilles saint-jacques 
it seems like it's just a fancy name for something we can easily make ourselves, right? so why do they always have to use it? is it because it sounds more sophisticated or what? 
period dramas are literally my jam and downton abbey is one of my fave shows ever! i can totally relate to the crawleys' struggles but at the same time, who doesn't love a good fancy dinner party? 
the way they describe coquilles saint-jacques sounds soooo delicious... maybe i'll have to try making it myself this weekend 
. I'm not sure if I'd want to be stuck in the aristocracy's shoes all day, dealing with their drama and etiquette rules 
.
.