From the Pantries of Barliman Butterbut
Tablescapes of Middle-earth
“‘What’s wrong with the inn?’ said Frodo. ‘Tom Bombadil recommended it. I expect it’s homelike enough inside.’”
The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, At the Sign of the Prancing Pony
Our culinary adventures bring us next to Bree under Bree-hill. Here we can find ample rustic comfort, with a white tablecloth (as described in the book!), and some simple dishes and platters of wood and earthenware.
In contrast to how Bree is portrayed in the Peter Jackson films, I wanted to maintain a rather bright and cheerful palette, though it is not quite as colorful as our Afternoon Tea in the Shire. Pops of purple and yellow keep it from falling into the drab medieval tavern trope that I want to avoid, however.
I, unfortunately, do not have earthenware mugs for the beer, so pint glasses will have to do.
“They were washed and in the middle of good deep mugs of beer when Mr. Butterbur and Nob came in again. In a twinkling the table was laid. There was hot soup, cold meats, a blackberry tart, new loaves, slabs of butter, and half a ripe cheese: good plain food, as good as the Shire could show, and homelike enough to dispel the last of Sam’s misgivings (already much relieved by the excellence of the beer).”
The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, At the Sign of the Prancing Pony’
This is one of the easier courses to plan, since there is an actual quote to use detailing what our hobbits of the Shire ate while at the Prancing Pony.
I’ll be serving:
Creamy bacon mushroom leek soup (as an homage to Farmer Maggot)
Roasted cornish game hen, served cold
Blackberry honey galettes
Fresh bread
Irish butter
Aged cheddar cheese
Fremont Brewing Dark Star Imperial Oatmeal Stout
