Hello everyone. We hope you enjoy your visit to Mrs Crocombe's kitchen! Here are the answers to some questions you may have about this recipe, from food historian Dr Annie Gray: • Isn't this just bread and butter pudding? Essentially, yes, or at least it comes from the same imperative, to use up stale baked goods in an easy and economical way. There are lots of recipes for similar puddings, with loads of different names, but this is the one Mrs Crocombe would have known best. • What exactly is a British pudding anyway? The British definition of a pudding is much, much broader than the modern American one (though the American definition in 1881 would have been much more like the British one for the two cuisines were not yet as divided as they are now). In the US puddings are almost always a variation on the theme of custard. In Britain puddings can be sweet or savoury (e.g. summer pudding vs steak and kidney), boiled or baked, and in the past the category also included sausages, dumplings, and toad-in-the-hole. Nowadays the term is also used as a genetic one for sweets (as in desserts or, as you'll occasionally hear, afters). This, therefore, is a pudding, but then so is spotted dick and toad in the hole. We don't make the rules, sorry. • Why does Mrs Crocombe claim Jamaican ginger is British? In 1881 the British Empire was at its peak, encompassing India, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Guyana, Jamaica, and Barbados, among others. The ‘scramble for Africa’ was also well underway. Many countries under British rule were used to supply food that otherwise had to be imported from places not controlled by the British. Ginger was planted in Jamaica by the Spanish in around 1525, and continued to be a major export when the British took over. Until Emancipation in 1838, it was produced by enslaved people working in horrific conditions. By Mrs Crocombe’s time, slavery had been abolished everywhere except Cuba and Brazil. The British had reframed the Empire as part of Britain and encouraged people to buy Imperial products as a way of demonstrating patriotism - this would reach its peak between the two world wars, but even in 1881 the definition of British, at least for economic purposes, was quite a lot wider than strict geography would suggest. • What's an Italian Warehouse? Italian Warehouses started life in the 18th century as shops kept by (usually) Italian merchants selling luxury foods (mainly, but not exclusively Italian) to the elites. By the 1880s the term was more generic, and the shops tended to sell a wider range of slightly upmarket goods to the middle classes and above - they were really just a type of grocer. They sold lots of things in bottles and jars, such as sauces and oils (olive, especially), but also fresh produce such as parmesan cheese and citrus fruit. • Can I just use custard power? You could, but don't make it according to the packet or it'll be a little bit too thick. If you are a nervous custard maker your best bet is to make a custard sauce as Mrs Crocombe does here, and add a tablespoon of custard powder. It's an acceptable Victorian cheat (maybe not for Mrs Crocombe), as Alfred Bird invented custard powder in 1837 so that his wife, who were allergic to eggs, could still enjoy the glories of custard. It was commercialised in the 1840s.
@firelunamoon8 ай бұрын
A small typo - I think you mean "generic", not "genetic".
@barbaraeggleston68588 ай бұрын
Question did the Servants have their own washroom ?
@austinwhitley91068 ай бұрын
I see it in your recipes all the time but what is angelica? I couldn't find a decent answer when I tried looking it up
@HeatherKirksey-ls6gk8 ай бұрын
Dr. Gray, do you have any insight into why angelica stopped being a popular herb? I've seen it in a number of these videos, but I've never seen it in modern recipes or restaurants. What happened to it?
@vlmellody518 ай бұрын
@austinwhitley9106 it's the stalk of an herb in the parsley family. At least, that's what came up when I googled it.
@joyplummeridge69408 ай бұрын
Would Mrs Crocombe be kind enough to teach us how to preserve fruits the victorian way? It is a skill we have sadly lost, and one which would be most useful.
@brucetidwell77158 ай бұрын
That would make a wonderful episode. I would so like that!
@KyrstOak8 ай бұрын
Yes!
@PLuMUK548 ай бұрын
I don't know where you live, but preserving fruit is common place where I live. To produce the type used in this recipe, you gently cook prepared fruit in a light syrup and bottle them, or you can use a thicker syrup, drain, allow to dry, and, if required, dust with sugar.
@EnglishHeritage8 ай бұрын
Good question! Preserving was in fact in Mrs Warwick the Housekeeper's domain, rather than Mrs Crocombe's. Perhaps we'll see if she's available and can spare us some time from her busy schedule. 👀
@l.kuchen57388 ай бұрын
uhh that would be great to learn! good idea ^^
@Kymmee21008 ай бұрын
MaryAnn got a "very nice" @ 4:20. She must be thrilled!
@raraavis77828 ай бұрын
High praise, indeed 😉
@annemchurchwell8 ай бұрын
I know that was a shock, wasn't it. At least MaryAnne is starting to get better. However, I am wondering if her tea cakes have improved yet or not lol.
@arielc77308 ай бұрын
OH MY GOD
@alexfarkas38818 ай бұрын
@@raraavis7782 ...was that a pun in reference to the time stamp? 😀
@nilo704 ай бұрын
Completely Legal in the time period. Enjoy😊
@xr6lad8 ай бұрын
Mrs C hesitated when putting in the brandy - then thought 'darn Lady Braybrooke is an old soak, she'd like much more'
@diannaanderson8 ай бұрын
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
@1224chrisng8 ай бұрын
"two shots of vodka" (falls off a flight of stairs)
@carolinemurphy88728 ай бұрын
I love that ,old soak for alcoholic. Hilarious
@raraavis77828 ай бұрын
'Just a little splash more...' 😅
@JpopFanBoy8 ай бұрын
She took the same approach Sandra Lee has when pouring "two shots"
@lunasilver29738 ай бұрын
I would love a "Basics with Mrs Crocombe" series so much!
@Pandorash88 ай бұрын
What a great idea. I second this!
@kinebrembry62248 ай бұрын
Yes! But I’d need a shopping list for materials as well please.
@seantodd88758 ай бұрын
Oooh great idea. Victorian Kitchen terms/tour, perhaps? How to preserve fruits?
@Ciccigreen7 ай бұрын
Yes! That’s a great idea!
@Kymmee21007 ай бұрын
@seantodd8875 I can just see it now... the tour group arrives... we're so excited to be there... Mrs. C walks in & handouts the name tags... they all read "Mary Ann". The tears begin. 😅😅😅
@annemchurchwell8 ай бұрын
Our favorite lady throwing more shade than a shade tree. Love Mrs. Crocombe.
@TiffyVella15 ай бұрын
Oh Blimey yes....I do sneak in some custard powder ( along with egg, vanilla, cream, sugar, etc) when making a quick custard for the family and now my cheeks are burning with shame!
@averageday4 ай бұрын
which shade?
@Carter-hx3nb8 ай бұрын
It's gobsmacking how much knowledge a person in Mrs. Crocombe's position needed to have.
@misspeach37558 ай бұрын
and skill given that knowledge alone doesn't get the cake baked. :)
@jilllloyd77925 ай бұрын
I suspect a good number of the staff in a great house would be smarter and more talented than the people they worked for, especially when you consider how little access they had to most opportunities, from education and free time to decent food.
@KJ-xx6xr8 ай бұрын
Imagine Mrs Crocombe in a modern grocery store, fresh produce year round, and then seeing subpar sponge cakes and custard powders of all sorts of flavors.
@depressivschwul23777 ай бұрын
I feel while she’d be amazed she’d be rather disappointed on how some foods have been mass produced. Losing its quality and no doubt being extremely artificial for her. Fruit all year round is amazing but even now many recommend not to buy them out of season due to the lack of genuine good quality. I feel like she’d only buy in season fruits. Probably even avoid some due to being unfamiliar. Just my opinion though. Yet there is no doubt she’d still be amazed.
@1One2Three5Eight138 ай бұрын
I love how even Mrs "You shouldn't buy a sponge cake you should be able to make one easily" Crocombe doesn't actually have any judgement about people using Bird's for their custard, just a warning to make sure that your employer is ok with you doing so.
@margotmolander50838 ай бұрын
Well, the original point of Bird's was that it is egg-free, so some households might need to use it. And I've watched enough Great British Bake Off to know that sponge cakes are a lot more reliable than custards!
@handsoffmycactus29587 ай бұрын
@@margotmolander5083most custard you buy is egg free. Tinned custard is and carton custard.
@rgibson73058 ай бұрын
Angelicur, saurce, snark about a knowing how to make a sponge, and a sacking! We are truly blessed.
@spleenforsoul4 ай бұрын
Is that what she said "angelicur"? I was trying to figure out what she was calling it. I've never heard of it before. Is it like a plant like a herb or veggie or something?
@ivey86538 ай бұрын
I am a Puerto Rican woman in Florida who had never been to Britain. But these videos still bring me so much peace. It’s like therapy. Thank you, Mrs Crocombe ❤
@LadyVenus1256 ай бұрын
OMG SAME!!! (But I have been to Britain). ❤❤❤
@tonyascarlett241329 күн бұрын
Hello from Georgia
@katarynaelizabeth26898 ай бұрын
NOTHING has made me click a video faster than the smiling face of my favourite Victorian Cook
@ChitChatPattyCake8 ай бұрын
“Buy British “ 😂😂
@londonlady2278 ай бұрын
Which you could back then. Jamaica etc were under the British Empire
@The_Smith8 ай бұрын
Still trying to get my head around cake lasting long enough to go stale . . . But yes Mrs Crocombe, we shouldn't waste food.
@brucetidwell77158 ай бұрын
You have to remember the family doesn't sneak down to the kitchen for a snack and cakes that have already been cut aren't brought back to the table. Except, apparently, Queen Elizabeth's chocolate birthday cake, which she wanted every slice of.
@PositivelyPresent17 ай бұрын
I thought the staff ate the family leftovers…. So even I thought, how could any cake still be left over to go stale?
@TessaOswin7 ай бұрын
@@PositivelyPresent1it may have been left to go stale deliberately (ect it wasn’t given to the staff) in the same way we might leave bread to ry to make bread crumbs.
@sb.10357 ай бұрын
lol yes cake doesnt last that long in my house and i make sponge cake angelfood cake etc from scratch i would give this a go though my guys are custard lovers
@Hayden_Kennard7 ай бұрын
I can’t imagine cake was as yummy as it is today anyhoo. Today it’s very high in sugar and generously frosted.
@Angela-Ruby8 ай бұрын
I personally would be absolutely mortified if I was to be “sacked” from my employer for using a custard powder shortcut without permission. I understand the last maid who did this was publicly shamed and could never find work again. Oh the humanity!
@sallyomahony11088 ай бұрын
But what about her employers? Would they ever live down the shame of an employee doing something so disgraceful?
@Quartz_1118 ай бұрын
I had heard rumour, she had been taking salt home from the kitchen as well
@trustmemysonisadoctor84798 ай бұрын
@@Quartz_111 😲 She should be severely punished for her impudence!
@RavenclawSeer8 ай бұрын
@@Quartz_111I heard other rumours that she withheld some of the herb butter made by the other maid for her own bread...
@AnthropoidOne8 ай бұрын
She ended her days in the workhouse 😢🇺🇸
@MaureenTheTemp8 ай бұрын
Yea, Mrs. Crocombe our heroine!! Now I want to see her make a Tipsy Cake.
@rhyfelwrDuw8 ай бұрын
Without her getting tipsy 🤣
@ShellyS20608 ай бұрын
Mary Ann finally got a "very nice"! Good job, girl!
@walkfarm18 ай бұрын
I was pleased to see Mrs Crocombe’s efforts to make a pretty pattern with the dried fruits almost wasted. This wasn’t because I wish any malice, but because it is what would happen to me.
@brucetidwell77158 ай бұрын
It did seem like a waste. I would almost rather chop them up and sprinkle them between the layers. Those were awfully big pieces of ginger and angelica.
@rabbit.of.ill.portent93038 ай бұрын
Wake up everyone!!! Mrs. Crocombe is back!!!
@PokhrajRoy.8 ай бұрын
4:45 Nothing gets past Mrs. Crocombe. Short cuts will lead to your job cut short.
@stefaniek74778 ай бұрын
I highly doubt te real Mrs. Crocombes Kitchen was ever so calm and stylish ;) So kudos to the person behind the camera, the editor and as always the wonderful Ms Hipperson! You provide the perfect antidote when the day gets hectic and noisy, please don´t ever stop! And thank you for the additional information in the comment section, I can´t believe I only found out about this today :( Greetings from Germany
@beaubrent8 ай бұрын
Every day is brighter when Mrs Crocombe releases a new video.
@janet61678 ай бұрын
I so wholeheartedly agree!!!
@kitchenremedies98868 ай бұрын
Not Mrs. Crocombe back to bring us some shade in this heat! 😂 So happy to see her! ❤
@madsh33888 ай бұрын
It’s fascinating to see how people can repurpose leftovers, and how it was done by the Victorians. Love learning from the staff of Audrey End! Thanks to everyone who makes this possible!
@ianos888 ай бұрын
After witnessing the mrs. Crocombe parody from Novympia, i'm much more perceptive of the condescending social hints 😂
@MossyMozart8 ай бұрын
@ianos88 - I absolutely LOVE that parody. It is the sorce of a lot of enjoyment.
@59jlopez708 ай бұрын
Still a iconic video
@lacouerfairy8 ай бұрын
One of my favorite KZbin videos ever.
@ObviousTrollFrom20078 ай бұрын
Two recipes from Mrs. Crocombe in one month is such a great treat. God bless her. ☺️🙏
@wakandaforever42918 ай бұрын
What? There's another one? I'm off to watch 😊
@Deathshack7 ай бұрын
I've been watching this actor for years on this channel and she always is my comfort. She seriously needs her own channel or show at this point!
@ilcajouni66318 ай бұрын
It is soo wonderful to see Mrs. Crocombe again!! And a big Thank you @EnglishHeritage for the background information!
@bvillebikelady36517 ай бұрын
"Very nice "...that custard must be fantastic! I'm glad Mary Anne is coming on so well!
@kitchenremedies98868 ай бұрын
Mrs. Crocombe complimented Jamaican ginger! 😮 Jamaica, big up yourself! 😂 🇯🇲
@pookeywan6 ай бұрын
I just thought that was a clever way of reminding everyone that Jamaica used to be a British colony. 😝
@claire-amel8 ай бұрын
Never miss a chance to watch Mrs Crocombe cook!
@Kymmee21008 ай бұрын
Good morning, Mrs. Crocombe and everyone else. It's been "a day" already. I needed a smile, & here you are. Thank you. 😊
@elizabethhowe21108 ай бұрын
I woke up early in California and here it was. A wonderful present to start the day. I'm so glad they continued this presentation method. History through cooking.
@DracoleafRevived7 ай бұрын
I like how when Mrs.C said that a good cook should be able to whip up a sponge cake without thinking about it I was just like “you know what? You’re absolutely right.” And now I’m going to be learning how to make sponge cake once I’m not buried under cat.
@doredam89193 ай бұрын
4 months later. Are you able to make sponge cake without thinking about it now?
@olgastelle80728 ай бұрын
I can’t describe the level of happiness I feel when I see the notification for a new Mrs. Crocombe video! Thank you English Heritage ❤️
@amikireicraftstore8 ай бұрын
My savage Mrs.Crocombe ♡ How I miss her and I'm happy when she is here at last! People were sacked over custard... What? 😂😂😂😂
@christopherreed47238 ай бұрын
Not over the custard per se. Being able to make a custard sauce - or a sponge cake - from the base ingredients without the use of store-bought mixes or powders was a basic skill. If a cook stated on her resume that she had such skills, but didn't, then she was taking a position to which she wasn't entitled. Remember, Cook was one of the senior members of a house's staff. A good cook was also expected to be a hard worker and have attention to detail. Using a shortcut for such a basic task implies laziness, and a slipshod approach to her work. Another factor might be company. A meal with guests is a statement about the standing of the host. Store-bought sponge cake or custard sauce made with powder would be noticed, remarked on (either to the host or - worse! - to others afterwards. "We had a very nice lunch, but I do believe the sauce was made with custard powder." 😳). The cook, when her employers found out, would have to be sacked, and that immediately, for them to be able to be part of society at that level.
@dawng.88368 ай бұрын
Hello from California! It's always a good day with mrs Crocombe. The pudding sounds delicious, but can't get my head around that anyone would have stale sponge cake.😅
@mattheweggleston70756 ай бұрын
Lovely interpretation of the character by Mrs. Crocombe. I really enjoyed this.
@mamaknowsnothing8 ай бұрын
These videos bring me such comfort
@Anne--Marie8 ай бұрын
A new Mrs. Crocombe video is a great way to start the day!
@PokhrajRoy.8 ай бұрын
For spring and summer, Mrs. Crocombe will provide us some nice shade.
@drgrounder8 ай бұрын
Nice to see more uploads lately
@carolinagoncalves64548 ай бұрын
I love this style of channel. I've always been fascinated by past eras. History. Culture. Gastronomy. Traditions of those times.Thank you for Sharing.
@SilverBrumby1658 ай бұрын
You might like Tasting History with Max Miller - if you haven't heard of it by now - it's wonderful.
@carolinagoncalves64548 ай бұрын
@@SilverBrumby165 Good afternoon. Tasting History with Max Miller, and also Townsends.These are also ones I follow and they are very interesting.
@stevenej98948 ай бұрын
Mrs C: You might be tempted to buy a sponge cake... Me (says): Who? Me? Never, Mrs C! Me (thinks): How did you know? Are you psychic?
@allieboo48468 ай бұрын
Always when Ms. C says “Ah good to see you” I always think you know it’s nice to see you too. Love this little show
@MrsReedus997 ай бұрын
I love Mrs.Crocombe ♥️ I really feel transported into the Victorian era, her homemade recipes feel warm for the heart
@Waywren7 ай бұрын
Always lovely to see you, Mrs Crocombe! And the mysterious green herb that is angelica. I loved seeing you speak so passionately against food waste.
@Elite4TJ8 ай бұрын
Every time I see that you post another video, it warms my heart
@kathyjohnson20438 ай бұрын
In the live chat, someone asked why it is called cabinet pudding. The all-knowing google didn't say, but as I am not British (even by 1800's standards) my guess would be cabinet refers to stored, on-hand, ingredients similar to how I would say it was made with pantry ingredients. However, the Great British Bake-off says it was originally called Chancellor's pudding in French but doesn't give a reason why.
@Landis9638 ай бұрын
Could also refer to a cabinet of advisors - which would put the name in the same territory as Diplomat's Pudding et al.
@Ciccigreen7 ай бұрын
I like that explanation! :)
@andywright35815 ай бұрын
Cabinet pudding is served hot or warm Diplomat pudding is the same but served cold ie hot cabinet ,cool Diplomat
@thisoldjapanesehouse8 ай бұрын
I love ❤ how Mrs. Crocombe tied the pudding. 🍮
@rollingslumberr8 ай бұрын
i was LITERALLY just thinking abt this series yesterday, so excited it’s come across my feed again🩶🩶🩶
@mandiflame7 ай бұрын
I really love the little cultural details that mrs crocombe throws in every now and then!! This one featured interesting commentary on food insecurity and food waste. Love it!
@Pandorash88 ай бұрын
This is a reminder that we waste too much food in society today. When I think back on what I’ve wasted I feel ashamed. Thank you for the reminder to do better xx
@maxxkane18 ай бұрын
I've missed her so. Would love a show of her. Needs to be on the BBC and also shown in the US.❤
@L0ckSoul448 ай бұрын
It was oddly satisfying when Mrs. Crocombe cut the stale sponge cake
@LadyVenus1256 ай бұрын
Yes.
@dolphinsmacks2638 ай бұрын
Now I need Mrs. Crocombe to teach me how to make sponge cake and ask Mrs. Warwick for her candied fruits method!
@jiia.cherry7 ай бұрын
Just saw the Victorian Sandwich video from 7 years ago and this most recent update! It’s incredible for the crew and actresses + actors journeys throughout the years - you can see the set is still almost exactly the same but the lighting and overall camera angles are just getting a lot better 🎉 Thank you for your incredible work!!!
@q_nevermore8 ай бұрын
Any day we hear from Mrs Crocombe is a good day!
@alibabafurball8 ай бұрын
Using butter as glue to help the fruit stick to the sides of the bowl . Mrs. Crocombe is my hero !!!
@jennid15738 ай бұрын
‘Italian warehouses’ sound a bit like what we would call a continental delicatessen these days. I love the bit of history along with the cooking.
@julilla18 ай бұрын
Just in time! I have a stale sponge cake that I've been wondering what to do with.
@lobstermash8 ай бұрын
Trifle yum yum ! Much less trouble.
@tcparker10008 ай бұрын
It's always comforting to bask in the warmth of Mrs Crocombe's shade.
@Speireata48 ай бұрын
Every time I watch one of those videos I want to try candied angelica. I am living in Germany and had never heard of it before seeing it in one of these videos and have never seen it in a store, but it looks delicious.
@evillilmonkey8 ай бұрын
I rarely find the food appetizing, but this is still one of the best cooking shows today.
@gnostic2688 ай бұрын
Happy to see a new recipe with Mrs. Crocombe ❤️🔥
@krystaldispatchbetttymcgin77027 ай бұрын
Mrs. Crocombe, it is always a pleasure to see you again!
@kateh74848 ай бұрын
Mrs Crocombe is here all is well in the world 🥰
@lilitharam448 ай бұрын
Thank you for sharing another treasured recipe with us, Ms.Crocombe! Sending you and all the staff Greetings and Best Wishes from Memphis, TN.
@breeinatree48118 ай бұрын
I bought How to Cook the Victorian Way featuring Mrs Crocombe. I highly recommend it. Not only doest it have the Victorian recipes but the same ones for making it today. Plus a lot of info on the real Mrs. Crocombe.
@PLuMUK548 ай бұрын
That looks really tasty. I have one query, though. What is stale sponge cake? I've never come across it in my house 😉
@stephanieruggles73605 ай бұрын
This recipe brings happy child memories with my grandmother back. She has passed long since but I now live a stones throw away from her house where she lived until her death.
@13Wolfie138 ай бұрын
Oh, the shade... LOVE Mrs. Crocumbe!
@keki45788 ай бұрын
Mrs Crocombe is back!!!
@Muddragon1044 ай бұрын
I like pudding of this nature as they always seem like a nice treat.
@yvankrzeslo63664 ай бұрын
i'm Belgian and this channel is my absolute favorite. So classy so well explained. When i cook those dishes, it's as though this lady is watching my every move. ❤❤❤❤❤
@seasmacfarlane64188 ай бұрын
Hooray! Mrs Crocombe is cooking again😊😊😊😊😊😊❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
@Readyforbedtime7 ай бұрын
Mrs Crocombe!! I love getting the notifications for this!!
@KlingonEmbassy8 ай бұрын
Always lovely to see a new video pop up - just in time to make my day!
@rachelcoleman46938 ай бұрын
Candied angelica is beautiful. 💚
@gary19616 ай бұрын
Yes. I bought some on the internet about 5 years ago and used it sparingly since. I've still got a stalk of it left. It's lovely and sticky when I open it and cut little strips of to add to family trifles. I always get asked, 'What's those bits of green in the trifle, granddad?'
@spleenforsoul4 ай бұрын
@gary1961 I've been trying to figure out if that's what she said or not. I've never heard of "angelica". Is it a plant like an herb or more like a veggie? What does it taste like?
@harrodguy8 ай бұрын
Always a great pleasure to see you in my feed Mrs. Crocombe! I can tell you that you'll never be sacked for using a custard powder! Perish the thought.
@margaretjohnson21227 ай бұрын
Hi!! I have just recently discovered this channel and I love it!! I have been watching for perhaps 3 to 4 weeks. But I did watch the episode where Dr. Gray and Ms. Hipperson, although admittedly I find myself referring to you as Annie or Nancy and Kathy or Mrs. Crocombe; talk about the book. It came today!!!! I LOVE it!! Thanks