Category: 21st century fiction

Life after Life 5: Almond Choc-Chip Cake

They were eating cake, almond speckled with chopped-up pieces of chocolate, an old recipe of Mrs Glover’s handed down on a piece of paper that was covered in greasy fingerprints. (2 September 1939, page 303)

One of the things I like so much about cooking is the idea of food as a legacy, as something that is passed down through the generations over time. And of course the way in which that manifests itself is through recipes – through writing down how to make something to eat, the joy and pleasure of food can be transmitted from person to person, from age to age.   Continue reading “Life after Life 5: Almond Choc-Chip Cake”

Life after Life 4: Raspberry and Redcurrant Jam

Ursula remembered…the kitchen at Fox Corner on Mrs Glover’s baking days – the big brown ‘health’ loaves that Sylvie insisted on, but also the sponges and tarts and buns. She imagined eating a slice of the warm brown bread, thickly buttered, with the jam made from the raspberries and redcurrants at Fox Corner. (April 1945, page 439)

Until last year I had never made jam. I assumed it was a terribly complicated process involving thermometers and sterilising equipment – and the effort would not be worth the result.

How wrong I was. Continue reading “Life after Life 4: Raspberry and Redcurrant Jam”

Life after Life 3: Milk Fadge

Nanny Mills was rather frightening (although not to Hugh apparently), spending a lot of time quizzing Ursula about her manners and inspecting Teddy’s ears for dirt. Her sister was nicer and plied them with glasses of elderflower cordial and slices of milk fadge spread with blackberry jelly. (September 1923, pages 198-99)

Milk fadge 2

It is perhaps no surprise for a foodie like me that my memories and thoughts of people are so often bound up with food. Continue reading “Life after Life 3: Milk Fadge”

Life After Life 2: Schwarzwalder Kirschtorte (Black Forest Gateau)

‘Es schneit’ she said. ‘It’s snowing.’ He glanced out of the window as if he hadn’t noticed the weather. He was eating Palatschinken. They looked good but when the waiter came bustling over she ordered Schwarzwalder Kirschtorte to eat with her hot chocolate. It was delicious. (December 1930, page 597)

With its setting of 1910 – 1967, Life After Life is dominated by war, particularly the Second World War since the protagonist, Ursula, is 29 when it breaks out. Continue reading “Life After Life 2: Schwarzwalder Kirschtorte (Black Forest Gateau)”