Kind of like pre-game coverage before the Super Bowl, PBS is showing the secrets of Highclere Castle right now for those of us anxious for the return of Downton Abbey tonight at 9pm. Highclere is the estate of Earl and Countess Carnarvon that serves as the backdrop for the Downton series. One of the meals that would have been served as part of a 12-course dinner at turn of the century at Highclere is Mushroom Risotto with Pheasant, a recipe brought over to England from Milan. Back then, if entertaining royalty for the weekend at your estate you could expect the party bill to come to about $500,000 in today's money! Well tonight I'm making the Mushroom Risotto minus the Pheasant for dinner, pouring a glass of wine and settling in with my daughter, who as of last season is completely hooked.
