The Victorian Way

Currently Playing: How to Cook Sea Kale with Melted Butter Sauce — The Victorian Way

Buy your copy of our 'Victorian Way' cookery book here: http://bit.ly/2RPyrvQ Today, Mrs Crocombe is preparing a delicate vegetable dish with an unusual ingredient. Sea kale is found growing wild along Britain's coastlines, but in Mrs Crocombe's day would have been grown under forcing pots. In fact, sea kale is still grown in the gardens at Audley End House today. Exotic ingredients like this which were difficult to grow out of season were a mark of wealth for a family like the Braybrookes. Plan a visit to Audley End House: http://bit.ly/2CUybEB English Heritage is a charity that cares for over 400 historic buildings, monuments and sites. Find out how you can support our work here: http://bit.ly/38Cv9lA FOR THIS RECIPE, YOU WILL NEED... (To serve 4) 24 sticks of sea kale about 21cm/8in in length, or substitute celery or another delicately-flavoured vegetable 55g / ¼ cup butter, plus 2 tbsp to finish 1 tbsp flour 285ml / 1¼ cups hot water 1 tsp salt Scant pinch of nutmeg 1 tbsp malt vinegar Pepper, to taste METHOD 1. Melt the butter in a saucepan with the flour to form a roux. 2. Gradually add the hot water, stirring at each addition, to form a smooth sauce. 3. Allow to boil, mixing, until it thickens. 4. Add the salt and a good pinch of pepper, plus the nutmeg and vinegar. 5. Remove from the heat and stir in the 2 tbsp of butter to finish. Set aside while you cook the sea kale. 6. Wash the sea kale, trim the stalks to equal lengths and tie them together in a bundle with some string. 7. Put them in a saucepan of boiling water and cook for 3–4 minutes. Drain. 8. Put the sea kale on a warmed serving plate, untie or cut the string, and remove it carefully. Ideally, the stalks should be served in a triangular stack. 9. Serve hot, with the sauce on the side or poured over, as you prefer. SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL: https://goo.gl/c5lVBJ FIND A PLACE TO VISIT: https://goo.gl/86w2F6 LIKE US ON FACEBOOK: https://goo.gl/Un5F2X FOLLOW US ON TWITTER: https://goo.gl/p1EoGh FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: https://goo.gl/PFzmY5