Lucy Burdette: I'm so thrilled to have my friend Rhys Bowen as our guest here today. I loved her new book, THE VICTORY GARDEN, and she's stopped by to talk about it, share a recipe, and offer a giveaway! Leave a comment to be entered in the drawing...
Rhys Bowen: I seem to spend a lot of time writing about wars. My last
two stand-alone novels took place in WWII and now I have moved back in time to
WWI for my new book, THE VICTORY GARDEN, that comes out next Tuesday, February
12.
The story focuses on a young woman who joins the newly
formed Women’s Land Army and becomes one of the many women doing jobs they did
not believe they were capable of, also
forming bonds between social classes hitherto unheard of. IN 1918 England was
in danger of winning the war but of the country dying of starvation. A whole
generation of young men was not coming home to work in the fields. Crops were
not being planted and harvested. And so a Women’s Land Army was formed. They
came from all walks of life: upper class girls like my Emily Bryce, former
servants, widows from the cities as well as farm girls. They lived together in
close quarters, worked hard from dawn to dusk, and formed strong bonds of
friendship—so essential in this time when every one of them had lost a husband,
son or sweetheart
My heroine comes from a great loss to inherit a healing
garden of herbs and by healing others comes to heal herself..
What a senseless war this was! Commanded by cavalry generals
who sent men ‘over the top’ to face tanks and Twentieth Century weapons of
destruction. Five thousand men killed to gain a yard, only to lose it back the
next day. Never has there been wholesale slaughter like this. And the men who
came home were broken in body and mind. So this started me thinking: who does
the men’s jobs when they don’t come home. In a village who becomes the
blacksmith? The pub owner? The carter? And of course women had to take over.
For them it was incredibly empowering. In the land army they were given a uniform
of bloomers and a jacket. They could discard those cumbersome skirts. They
threw away their corsets (as happens in one of my favorite scenes in my books).
They cut their hair. They worked hard but they gained new-found confidence in
their abilities.
Choosing a recipe from a time when England was starving was
not going to be easy. Rationing meant that meat, butter and cheese were all
luxuries to be used sparingly if and when they were available. Many of the
recipes from both World Wars involved a lot of root vegetables with a potato
crust. Hardly inspiring. So I’m giving you a standard British comfort food that
I’m sure they would have made any time they got their hands on some meat,
especially to use up the last bits of a roast. It’s called Shepherd’s Pie when
it’s made with lamb, and Cottage Pie when it’s made with beef.
Delia Smith's Cottage pie |
Shepherd's pie/ Cottage pie.
boil several large potatoes
saute 2 onions in a pan
add 1 pound of good ground beef or lamb (can also be made
with left over roast beef or lamb ground)
pour off fat
add one Tsp curry powder
stir in well, cooking for a few more minutes
make a mixture of about 1 pint of stock, beef better than
bouillon, large dollop of tomato ketchup, warm together then pour over meat.
Transfer meat to pie dish
mash potatoes with butter and or milk. Season well
Spread over meat.
Bake at 425 until crust starts to look crisp and to turn
brown.
Serve with veg (peas are good) You can also add cooked
peas to the meat mixture!
This is still one of my favorite foods. I hope you enjoy
it. And I hope you enjoy THE VICTORY GARDEN.
Cheerio,
Rhys
Leave a comment to be entered in the drawing of THE VICTORY GARDEN!
Thank you for sharing the recipe. I'm an Anglophile so I'm always looking for stories set in England. I've read many of Rhys Bowen's books & really enjoyed them. looking forward to reading The Victory Garden. lnchudej@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteThe recipe sounds delicious. The book sounds so interesting I’d love to own it and want to read it. Thank you for the chance.
ReplyDeleteI love shepherd's pie. I consider it comfort food, too. I love the cover of this book and know I would love to read it. bluedawn95864 at gmail dot com
ReplyDeleteI love Rhys Bowen's series. Shepherds Pie would be a great winter meal.
ReplyDeleteThank you! The book looks very interesting. This is not my mother's Shepard Pie, must try!
ReplyDeleteI think that Victory Gardens and the Women's Land Army were amazing! I watched a series on the Land Army. They went through some tough times, but were so hard working and very brave!
ReplyDeleteI love Shepherd's and Cottage pies! Thank you for sharing your recipe. Also, thank you for giving away a copy of your book.
debprice60@gmail.com
Thanks for sharing your recipe and for the chance to win a copy of your new book. cking78503(at)aol(dot)com
ReplyDeleteLove yourbooks, Rhys. And this recipe looks delivious and oh so comforting! My grandfather was born in London and loved this dish! Of course, my Irish grandmother was very good at making it. Can’t wsit to read your newest!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the recipe and giveaway. Janngrogan@yahoo.vom
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of adding curry. I’ve never done that. suefoster109 at gmail dot com.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the recipe. I will probably make it with beef as we do not like lamb. This book sounds fascinating. We do not think of how hard women worked during war times, doing the work that men normally did. dbahn(at)iw(dot)net
ReplyDeleteI love your books & will,look forward to your new book. Thanks for sharing an awesome recipe. ��������
ReplyDeleteI enjoy your books! We have tried several different Shepard's or Cottage Pie recipes and have loved them all. I can't wait to try yours.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a good comfort food. Thanks for sharing. The book sounds excellent can't wait go read it.
ReplyDeleteLhxp73(at) Yahoo(dot)com
Your novels are captivating and memorable. Congratulations on The Victory Garden which is a real treasure. The recipe is special. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteI love Shepherd’s Pie! Sounds like a great read as well. JL_Minter (at) Hotmail (dot) com
ReplyDeleteI have been wanting to read more historical fiction about World War I, and really want to read The Victory Garden. Thanks so much for your post, recipe and giveaway! bobandcelia@sbcglobal.net
ReplyDeleteAm fascinated by your book topic. It must have been such a fraught situation and yet it is so inspiring to read of people changing to suit necessity and finding their strength in doing so.
ReplyDeletelittle lamb lst at yahoo dot com
The Victory Garden is a fascinating historical which I will be enjoying. What unforgettable novels you create. Thanks for this recipe. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteSounds interesting. Would love to read.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great new read for me. Would love to win and start reading joanie13b@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteThis recipe sounds so yummy ! Thanks ❤
ReplyDeleteWould love to win your book to read! My daughters will definutely want me to try this recipe! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteMy mom used to make a shepherd's pie when I was a kid that I loved. I'd like to try this version.
ReplyDeleteturtle6422 at gmail dot com
Thanks for the drawing stoeser1@pie.midco.net
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your latest standalone. I am very curious to read your take on this heartbreaking time.
ReplyDeletepatdupuy@yahoo.com
I can hardly wait to read this book.
ReplyDeleteRecipe sounds yummy. Book sounds good
ReplyDeletejwhaley4@aol.com
Oh I can hardly wait to read . . . and will taste the recipe in my mind, since latex allergy has taken potatoes off my menu. I've been using kohlrabi in stews, though, so maybe it would be a good substitute in this . . . worth a try. <3
ReplyDeleteWhat about turnips and/or parsnips?
DeleteWe don't seem to learn from the carnage of previous wars, do we?
ReplyDeleteI always look forward to your latest book.
libbydodd at cpomcast dot net
Rhys, your books give so much pleasure.Thank you for the recipe. Mostly thank you for sharing your great talent for your admiring fans.😀
ReplyDeleteThank you so very much for the chance to win your book. I have many of your other books and really look forward to reading this one.
ReplyDeletefaithdcreech at gmail dot com
I'm crazy about shepherds pie! Thanks for sharing an authentic recipe! Sure do enjoy books about people during wars, so we get a glimpse of what some of our ancestors might experienced!
ReplyDeleteBook sounds amazing, really enjoy reading historical fiction. "The Victory Garden" sounds like my kind of read.
ReplyDeletediannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com
Love Shepherd’s pie! I am intrigued by the plot of this book. I will be getting it even if I don’t win!
ReplyDeleteRecipe sounds delicious!! I'll have to try it. Thanks for the contest!
ReplyDeletemlduffer(at)att(dot)net
This sounds greats—ty for the recipe. Legallyblonde1961@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteI loved the first stand alone novels, looking forward on Victory Garden. Sorry I not a shepherd pie fan though
ReplyDeleteEven having English grandparents, we seldom had Shepherd's Pie. I only discovered it as an adult, and tho it is called Shepherd's Pie around here, it is usually made with beef. I'm intrigued by the addition of curry, and want to try it that way soon. I have read several books set in wartime in England and am always amazed at the spunk and ingenuity that the women had. Thanks for a chance to win a copy of your new book.
ReplyDeletegnluciow(at)gmail(dot)com
I just love to read period. I read all different genres. And thanks for the recipe
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to read this book! I've always wanted to find a good recipe for shepherds pie. Maybe this is it! jmpurcell at hotmail dot com.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to win this book.
ReplyDeleteMy mouth is watering!
ReplyDeleteLove historical fiction. Thank you for the recipe and giveaway.
ReplyDeletejtcgc at yahoo dot com
Love this recipe. I will try it! Also love your books and am looking forward to reading it. Hope I win it!
ReplyDeleteI thought I loved Shepherd's Pie but I guess it's always been Cottage Pie unless I had a lamb version in England.
ReplyDeleteI guess Lady Edith on Downton Abbey was part of the Land Army. I'm anxious to read your new book.
The recipe sounds good.
ReplyDeleteLoved both of the series you wrote - this sounds great too - thanks for the contest - tr Williams 69 at msn dot com
ReplyDeleteHi! Can I get large print??
ReplyDeleteHi, I’ve read comments on how wonderful your books are. Would love to win and find out for myself.
ReplyDeleteAlso was wondering if there is another spice that can be substantiated for the curry in the Shepherds Pie
Thanks. vernagass@gmail.com
Love shepherds pie I make it all the time. I’d love to win this book sounds interesting
ReplyDeleteIn Farleigh Field was such a great book - can’t wait to read this one! Thanks for being so generous! Jwhite410 at yahoo dot com.
ReplyDeleteWelcome, Rhys! Your new book sounds great. mbradeen [at] yahoo [dot] com
ReplyDeleteHi! Thanks for offering this chance to win this book!! lindaherold999(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteThe recipe sounds delicious. I might try it with a ground meat mix. My daughter and I both love your Royal Spyness series. So, thank you for a chance to win one of your other novels. brura08(at)web(dot)de
ReplyDeleteBook sounds good. cheetahthecat1986ATgmailDOTcom
ReplyDeleteYour new book sounds amazing!! Thanks so much for the chance to win a copy!!!!
ReplyDeleteI love historical fiction, especially when set in England/Ireland. I've never had shepherd's pie but after seeing your recipe I will definitely add it to our menu. Thanks for the opportunity to enter into your copy giveaway.
ReplyDelete