Do you ever wonder what characters would cook if they got
into the kitchen? I sometimes do, because often I find I’ve written an entire
book, or read an entire book, and the characters have been too busy doing…um…other stuff to actually make an entire
meal. Strange, really, in the case of my own writing since I’m a devote foodie!
With that in mind, Foodie Friday was born.
Sometimes it’ll just be a recipe I particularly like, or
maybe some strange food fact I’ve come across. On occasion you’ll find a short
story involving a character from my or other author’s books getting crazy in
the kitchen. Foodie Friday is about the love of food, in all its forms, so come
back often for a little taste!
This week, please enjoy a short story featuring Prudence, Will and a couple of my favorite automatons from my Steampunk novel, Beyond Prudence. Poor Prudence really isn't well equipped to be let loose in the kitchen, and she knows it...
Prudence looked down at Alexander.
The mechanical fox looked back at her with an encouraging expression. “Go on,
then. It can’t be that hard. A bit o’ bread and cheese is all it is.”
“Easy for you to say,” interjected
Ollie from his perch above the counter, rattling his white-and-gold feathers
and giving a derisive hoot. “You’re
not the one doing the cooking.”
Tightening the apron strings around
her waist, Prudence looked from the plethora of ingredients on the counter to
the receipt she’d carefully written out. It did indeed sound easy while Cook
explained it, but now she wasn’t so sure. Give her some paper and charcoal and
she knew exactly what to do, but cooking? You may as well ask her to repair one
of Will’s automatons.
But she so wanted to do something
for Will. Fixing a late supper on Cook’s day out seemed like just the ticket.
Taking a deep breath and tilting
her chin to a determined angle she said, “I can do this. I want to do this, for
Will.”
“There you go.” Alexander nodded.
“The gov’nor will appreciate it, I’m sure.”
“Indeed, indeed,” Ollie said,
clicking his beak. “Whatever you give him, he’ll love. Besotted with you, he
is.”
Grasping the saucepan as though it
were liable to bite, Prudence approached the stove with dragging steps. Just as
she was breathing a silent prayer not to make too much of a mess and incur
Cook’s wrath, the speaking box in the corner squawked.
“Prudence? Damnation—” there was
the sound of something falling and additional curses before Will continued.
“Darling, where the dickens are you?”
“In the kitchen, Will.”
“The kitchen?” Surprise and
curiosity sharpened his voice. “Why?”
“I…” Prudence looked around, but
neither Alex nor Ollie seemed inclined to come to her aid. She lifted her chin
another notch, although he couldn’t see her. “I’m cooking supper.”
“Leave it. I need you here.”
He sounded so decisive, it took her
by surprise. Will wasn’t usually inclined to issue orders to her. Prudence
wasn’t sure she liked this new side to him.
“I will be there as soon as I’m
finished here.” She could be decisive too. He mustn’t think that just because she
adored him, he could turn into a bully!
“Let Clifford deal with it, darling.
I’ve got more…important…things to do than have supper.” His voice dropped low,
took on the caressing tone she knew and loved so well. “I’ve got the AS
arranged in that new configuration we spoke about and need you to test it.”
“Oh!”
Well that was different, she
thought, already halfway across the kitchen, the apron fluttering to the floor
behind her, anticipation lending wings to her feet. What Will could do with that
machine was far more delicious than anything she could cook up.
Left in the kitchen, Alexander and
Oliver exchanged glances.
“I don’t think they’ll want to eat
after all, do you?”
Oliver shook his head and clicked
his beak with laughter. “Not Welsh Rarebit anyhow.”
And Alexander’s look of shock only
made the owl laugh even harder.
Below is the recipe for what
Prudence would have cooked if she hadn’t been so—e-hem—rudely interrupted.
Welsh Rarebit
8oz grated, strong cheese such as Old
Cheddar
1 tablespoon butter
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1 level teaspoon dry mustard
2 teaspoons flour
4 tablespoons stout (beer or milk may
be used if preferred)
A pinch of pepper
4 slices bread toasted on 1 side only
(I like a denser bread, like Italian, rather than sandwich bread. If using
sliced sandwich bread, lightly toast both sides)
Put the cheese, flour, mustard,
Worcestershire sauce, butter and pepper into a saucepan. Mix well and then add
the stout beer or milk to moisten. Do not make it too wet. Stir over a low heat
until melted and when it is a thickish paste, remove from heat and stir just a
few times more. Leave to cool a little, and toast the bread. Spread the rarebit
over the untoasted side and brown under a hot broiler. Serves 4.
The mysterious device in Prudence Hastings’ basement could be the
answer to her prayers, if she could just figure out what it is. Needing William
Foreman’s help, she’s prepared to do whatever it takes to gain it. Even putting
aside her dislike of machines and volunteering to test the risqué apparatus
he’s developing for the Acolytes of Concupiscence.
Will’s expecting a lightskirt for a test subject and is horrified
when he realizes the tempting woman he just debauched is very much a lady. But
despite his best intentions, something keeps drawing him back to her, and it
isn’t just the thought of discovering the inner workings of her uncle’s last
invention. Unlocking their passions is turning out to be a far more
pleasurable, if dangerous, job.
Beset by desire, automatons, secrets, an unintelligible maid and
the danger of utter ruin should their association become known, Will and
Prudence haven’t a chance in hell of remaining unscathed.
Fire up the boiler, open the sluices and take cover. Something’s
about to explode…
Beyond Prudence
is now available from Ellora’s Cave, and you can read an excerpt here.
