The Victorian Age

1832–1901

Typically this period in history is associated with the reign of Queen Victoria (1837 to 1901), but many commentators start the period five years earlier in 1832, with the passage of the Reform Act through parliament. Which is when, arguably, many of the political sensibilities and horse-trading associated with the Victorians were first established.

Victoria's reign coincided with a long period of British prosperity where new scientific discoveries and an ever-expanding Empire brought wealth and prosperity that allowed an educated middle class to develop. Often these were people unused to dealing with staff and large households, but who were avid readers. As a result small publications prospered and a great literary period developed. To cater for the new middle classes, authors, beginning with Eliza Acton and most notably including Mrs Beeton wrote articles and published books on the matters of household management and cookery. Indeed, it was during this period that the first modern-style cookery books, with lists of ingredients and instructions on how to cook them were written and published.

Breakfast:
bacon, eggs, kedgeree, devilled kidneys, toast, marmalade, tea, coffee

Luncheon:
Soup
hot and cold meats
cheese
fruit tarts, blancmange, ices

Dinner:
soup
fish
roast beef and vegetables
stewed apples
jelly, fruit
savouries
cheese For more authentic versions of Victorian meals, see the page on Victorian bills of fare (menus) derived from Francatelli's cookbook. Of course, there was also the daily ritual of serving afternoon tea, often accompanied with cakes, pastries and small sandwiches. The advent of canning also opened the diet to new possibilities; this was also accompanied by a revolution in stoves, cookware and kitchen gadgets allowing meals to be served in new ways. This is a continuation of the recipes listings for the Victorian Age recipes and dishes on this site (the page in fact). If you would like to learn a little more about this history of the Victorian Age and the associated recipe and methods of cooking then please go to the first listing page for these Victorian Age information page. Here you will get just a list of the additional Victorian Age recipes on this site.