The Food of Downton Abbey: Victorian Olive Oil Honey Poppy Seed Cookies

As fans of the internationally acclaimed television series Downton Abbey are very aware of, the American release of season three is underway and there is really no better way to celebrate than enjoying the food of the era when the show takes place. So as you get ready to venture back into the abbey for another season, settle down with some wonderful authentic Edwardian cuisine.

If you venture to England and you want a "cookie," you will be hard-pressed to find any (other than those chemical-rich American things some of the stores sell). You will, however, find many tins of delicious "biscuits." In England a cookie is called a biscuit. The true title of this dish is Victorian Olive Oil Honey Poppy Seed Biscuits, but for American's we changed it to cookies so you don't serve them as you would biscuits. Confused? Don't worry about it!

You might take a look at the ingredients and say to yourself "huh?" True, there is no butter (or any other solid fat) or eggs in this "cookie." Very strange for American eyes. This is a dough which is held together with pure olive oil. So if you like olive oil, and these cookies to have that flavor, you will love these.

These are a perfect cookie to serve for a High Tea or a Low Tea. They're even good with no tea! Make a batch and munch on them while watching one of the most popular international shows in television history, Downton Abbey.

For a complete how-to slideshow on making these biscuits (cookies), go to the free Facebook page called The Food of Downton Abbey.

Ingredients needed to make Victorian Olive Oil Honey Poppy Seed Cookies:

• 3/4 cup olive oil
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 Tbs. honey
• 1 Tbs. vanilla
• 2 cups flour
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. baking powder
• 1 tsp. poppy seeds
• Raw sugar for rolling

Steps:

1. Pre-heat your oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a mixer with the paddle attachment, beat the olive oil, sugar, honey and vanilla about 2 minutes.
3. In a medium bowl, whisk the flour, salt, baking powder and poppy seeds.
4. Add the flour mixture to the mixer and beat until the dough is crumbly.
5. Remove tablespoon portions of the dough and roll into balls.
6. Roll the balls in the raw sugar and place them upon the prepared baking sheet (they will spread a little).
7. Place into the oven and bake 15 minutes.
8. Remove from the oven and let cool on the pan 5 minutes.
9. Place the cookies on a wire rack until ready to serve.

The new cookbook from Chef Larry Edwards is now available from Amazon.com and bookstores worldwide. One of the most anticipated cookbooks of the year, "Edwardian Cooking: Inspired by Downton Abbey's Elegant Meals."