Sam Bilton
@mrssbilton.bsky.social
Food Historian, Writer & Presenter of the award winning Comfortably Hungry podcast & also the A is for Apple https://linktr.ee/sambilton
In this week’s podcast episode I look at some of the less well known foods mentioned in Shakespeare’s plays namely sack, medlars and Banbury cheese.
Joining me are Victoria González-Gordon from Gonzalez Byass wines, Jane Steward of Eastgate larder and Ned Palmer of cheese tasting Co
Joining me are Victoria González-Gordon from Gonzalez Byass wines, Jane Steward of Eastgate larder and Ned Palmer of cheese tasting Co
November 1, 2025 at 7:21 AM
In this week’s podcast episode I look at some of the less well known foods mentioned in Shakespeare’s plays namely sack, medlars and Banbury cheese.
Joining me are Victoria González-Gordon from Gonzalez Byass wines, Jane Steward of Eastgate larder and Ned Palmer of cheese tasting Co
Joining me are Victoria González-Gordon from Gonzalez Byass wines, Jane Steward of Eastgate larder and Ned Palmer of cheese tasting Co
October 23, 2025 at 12:55 PM
In this instalment of the food & Shakespeare mini series I explore how food (or lack of it) is used to punish characters with Professor Sheila T Cavanagh.
We discuss leeks, cannibalistic pies & the withholding of nourishment to help modify women’s behaviour. Link in bio.
We discuss leeks, cannibalistic pies & the withholding of nourishment to help modify women’s behaviour. Link in bio.
October 16, 2025 at 6:53 AM
In this instalment of the food & Shakespeare mini series I explore how food (or lack of it) is used to punish characters with Professor Sheila T Cavanagh.
We discuss leeks, cannibalistic pies & the withholding of nourishment to help modify women’s behaviour. Link in bio.
We discuss leeks, cannibalistic pies & the withholding of nourishment to help modify women’s behaviour. Link in bio.
Why were alliums & other veg so reviled in Shakespeare’s day?
In this special episode of the Comfortably Hungry podcast I chat to Professor Diane Purkiss about what everyday folk ate.
Don’t forget you can pre-order my new book Much Ado About Cooking now.
Link to this episode is in the bio.
In this special episode of the Comfortably Hungry podcast I chat to Professor Diane Purkiss about what everyday folk ate.
Don’t forget you can pre-order my new book Much Ado About Cooking now.
Link to this episode is in the bio.
October 8, 2025 at 9:13 AM
Why were alliums & other veg so reviled in Shakespeare’s day?
In this special episode of the Comfortably Hungry podcast I chat to Professor Diane Purkiss about what everyday folk ate.
Don’t forget you can pre-order my new book Much Ado About Cooking now.
Link to this episode is in the bio.
In this special episode of the Comfortably Hungry podcast I chat to Professor Diane Purkiss about what everyday folk ate.
Don’t forget you can pre-order my new book Much Ado About Cooking now.
Link to this episode is in the bio.
Coconut scones with courgette & lime marmalade ‘cos there’s always time for tea!
September 19, 2025 at 1:46 PM
Coconut scones with courgette & lime marmalade ‘cos there’s always time for tea!
We’re revealing the ‘courses’ for the @serveitforthfest.bsky.social in reverse order. Here’s what I have planned.
@alessandrapino.bsky.social
@neilbuttery.bsky.social
@deliciouslegacy.bsky.social
@alessandrapino.bsky.social
@neilbuttery.bsky.social
@deliciouslegacy.bsky.social
August 15, 2025 at 8:24 AM
We’re revealing the ‘courses’ for the @serveitforthfest.bsky.social in reverse order. Here’s what I have planned.
@alessandrapino.bsky.social
@neilbuttery.bsky.social
@deliciouslegacy.bsky.social
@alessandrapino.bsky.social
@neilbuttery.bsky.social
@deliciouslegacy.bsky.social
@serveitforthfest.bsky.social is a new online food history festival happening on Saturday 18 October 2025. Early bird tickets are now on sale with 25% off.
Be there or be square!
#serveitforthfest
#foodhistory
@deliciouslegacy.bsky.social
@neilbuttery.bsky.social
@alessandrapino.bsky.social
Be there or be square!
#serveitforthfest
#foodhistory
@deliciouslegacy.bsky.social
@neilbuttery.bsky.social
@alessandrapino.bsky.social
August 6, 2025 at 6:01 AM
@serveitforthfest.bsky.social is a new online food history festival happening on Saturday 18 October 2025. Early bird tickets are now on sale with 25% off.
Be there or be square!
#serveitforthfest
#foodhistory
@deliciouslegacy.bsky.social
@neilbuttery.bsky.social
@alessandrapino.bsky.social
Be there or be square!
#serveitforthfest
#foodhistory
@deliciouslegacy.bsky.social
@neilbuttery.bsky.social
@alessandrapino.bsky.social
Gooseberry Buckle Cake (courtesy of Sam Goldsmith & @goodfoodeveryday.bsky.social
I did seriously consider making a fool but decided to go with this cake instead. The tangy gooseberries are sandwiched between vanilla scented sponge & an oaty crumble topping - genius!
I did seriously consider making a fool but decided to go with this cake instead. The tangy gooseberries are sandwiched between vanilla scented sponge & an oaty crumble topping - genius!
July 1, 2025 at 7:54 AM
Gooseberry Buckle Cake (courtesy of Sam Goldsmith & @goodfoodeveryday.bsky.social
I did seriously consider making a fool but decided to go with this cake instead. The tangy gooseberries are sandwiched between vanilla scented sponge & an oaty crumble topping - genius!
I did seriously consider making a fool but decided to go with this cake instead. The tangy gooseberries are sandwiched between vanilla scented sponge & an oaty crumble topping - genius!
In honour of this month’s bonus podcast episode I decided to make a Tomato Soup Cake from Lee Miller: A Life With Food, Friends and Recipes. Link in bio.
June 5, 2025 at 10:21 AM
In honour of this month’s bonus podcast episode I decided to make a Tomato Soup Cake from Lee Miller: A Life With Food, Friends and Recipes. Link in bio.
Fried rice ‘thing’ with roasted cauliflower. No idea what to call it but it was bloomin’ lovely.
May 30, 2025 at 12:31 PM
Fried rice ‘thing’ with roasted cauliflower. No idea what to call it but it was bloomin’ lovely.
Very excited to reveal the cover of my next book in collaboration with The Globe published by welbeck in October 2025.
It features recipes inspired by the food mentioned in Shakespeare’s plays & was a pleasure to research & write.
#shakespeare
It features recipes inspired by the food mentioned in Shakespeare’s plays & was a pleasure to research & write.
#shakespeare
May 21, 2025 at 7:25 AM
Very excited to reveal the cover of my next book in collaboration with The Globe published by welbeck in October 2025.
It features recipes inspired by the food mentioned in Shakespeare’s plays & was a pleasure to research & write.
#shakespeare
It features recipes inspired by the food mentioned in Shakespeare’s plays & was a pleasure to research & write.
#shakespeare
So this happened last night!!!! (Still pinching myself)
May 2, 2025 at 6:59 AM
So this happened last night!!!! (Still pinching myself)
Great potluck lunch at the Leeds Food Symposium (in York) yesterday. This is just the dessert table (gingerbread galore)
Fantastic line up of speakers too for the Food in Literature theme.
Fantastic line up of speakers too for the Food in Literature theme.
April 27, 2025 at 7:42 AM
Great potluck lunch at the Leeds Food Symposium (in York) yesterday. This is just the dessert table (gingerbread galore)
Fantastic line up of speakers too for the Food in Literature theme.
Fantastic line up of speakers too for the Food in Literature theme.
April 20, 2025 at 8:39 AM
This is excellent news! Comfortably Hungry has been shortlisted in the audio category for the @fortnumandmason.bsky.social food & drink awards!
A huge thank you to Thom at @deliciouslegacy.bsky.social for mixing the episodes & of course to Dr Peggy Brunache for being such a superb guest.
A huge thank you to Thom at @deliciouslegacy.bsky.social for mixing the episodes & of course to Dr Peggy Brunache for being such a superb guest.
April 9, 2025 at 9:27 AM
This is excellent news! Comfortably Hungry has been shortlisted in the audio category for the @fortnumandmason.bsky.social food & drink awards!
A huge thank you to Thom at @deliciouslegacy.bsky.social for mixing the episodes & of course to Dr Peggy Brunache for being such a superb guest.
A huge thank you to Thom at @deliciouslegacy.bsky.social for mixing the episodes & of course to Dr Peggy Brunache for being such a superb guest.
Borodinsky Bread
It’s been years since I attempted a rye sourdough but pleased with the result. I love the flavour of rye and it combines beautifully with coriander seeds, barley malt extract & molasses (I used carob molasses) in this loaf.
It’s been years since I attempted a rye sourdough but pleased with the result. I love the flavour of rye and it combines beautifully with coriander seeds, barley malt extract & molasses (I used carob molasses) in this loaf.
March 25, 2025 at 10:26 AM
Borodinsky Bread
It’s been years since I attempted a rye sourdough but pleased with the result. I love the flavour of rye and it combines beautifully with coriander seeds, barley malt extract & molasses (I used carob molasses) in this loaf.
It’s been years since I attempted a rye sourdough but pleased with the result. I love the flavour of rye and it combines beautifully with coriander seeds, barley malt extract & molasses (I used carob molasses) in this loaf.
Happy spring equinox!
Cracking breakfast @craftystmartins & a brief mooch around Leicester this morning in the beautiful spring sunshine.
#leicester
#spring
#equinox
Cracking breakfast @craftystmartins & a brief mooch around Leicester this morning in the beautiful spring sunshine.
#leicester
#spring
#equinox
March 20, 2025 at 12:04 PM
Happy spring equinox!
Cracking breakfast @craftystmartins & a brief mooch around Leicester this morning in the beautiful spring sunshine.
#leicester
#spring
#equinox
Cracking breakfast @craftystmartins & a brief mooch around Leicester this morning in the beautiful spring sunshine.
#leicester
#spring
#equinox
Henry Buttes recommends eating figs with oranges and pomegranates or pickling them in vinegar.
These figs were roasted briefly in vinegar & honey then served on a salad with Serrano ham & roasted almonds and dressed with a Seville orange vinaigrette (no pomegranates to hand).
These figs were roasted briefly in vinegar & honey then served on a salad with Serrano ham & roasted almonds and dressed with a Seville orange vinaigrette (no pomegranates to hand).
February 9, 2025 at 7:15 AM
Henry Buttes recommends eating figs with oranges and pomegranates or pickling them in vinegar.
These figs were roasted briefly in vinegar & honey then served on a salad with Serrano ham & roasted almonds and dressed with a Seville orange vinaigrette (no pomegranates to hand).
These figs were roasted briefly in vinegar & honey then served on a salad with Serrano ham & roasted almonds and dressed with a Seville orange vinaigrette (no pomegranates to hand).
Boiled salad anyone?
Doesn’t sound too appetising but they were a thing in the early modern period. The addition of eggs was highly recommended.
(And for the record both the roasted onion & asparagus salads were good)
Doesn’t sound too appetising but they were a thing in the early modern period. The addition of eggs was highly recommended.
(And for the record both the roasted onion & asparagus salads were good)
February 8, 2025 at 7:49 AM
Boiled salad anyone?
Doesn’t sound too appetising but they were a thing in the early modern period. The addition of eggs was highly recommended.
(And for the record both the roasted onion & asparagus salads were good)
Doesn’t sound too appetising but they were a thing in the early modern period. The addition of eggs was highly recommended.
(And for the record both the roasted onion & asparagus salads were good)
Mussels ‘seethed’ with onion, parsley & a splash of sack (sherry).
Sometimes the simple things are best.
#muchadoaboutcooking
Sometimes the simple things are best.
#muchadoaboutcooking
February 2, 2025 at 9:03 AM
Mussels ‘seethed’ with onion, parsley & a splash of sack (sherry).
Sometimes the simple things are best.
#muchadoaboutcooking
Sometimes the simple things are best.
#muchadoaboutcooking
After learning about the death of David Lynch I felt compelled to channel my inner Dale Cooper & make a cherry pie. It’s a wonderful accompaniment to a damn fine cup of coffee. (Yes, I was a huge fan of Twin Peaks)
January 24, 2025 at 9:51 AM
After learning about the death of David Lynch I felt compelled to channel my inner Dale Cooper & make a cherry pie. It’s a wonderful accompaniment to a damn fine cup of coffee. (Yes, I was a huge fan of Twin Peaks)
To make a tart that is courage (😉) to a man or a woman.
I feel that this sweet potato & quince tart from Thomas Dawson should be announced with a lascivious wink. Spanish Potatoes & quinces were deemed to have aphrodisiac qualities in the sixteenth century.
I feel that this sweet potato & quince tart from Thomas Dawson should be announced with a lascivious wink. Spanish Potatoes & quinces were deemed to have aphrodisiac qualities in the sixteenth century.
January 14, 2025 at 7:02 AM
To make a tart that is courage (😉) to a man or a woman.
I feel that this sweet potato & quince tart from Thomas Dawson should be announced with a lascivious wink. Spanish Potatoes & quinces were deemed to have aphrodisiac qualities in the sixteenth century.
I feel that this sweet potato & quince tart from Thomas Dawson should be announced with a lascivious wink. Spanish Potatoes & quinces were deemed to have aphrodisiac qualities in the sixteenth century.
Does this bag contain my food heaven or my food hell?
Find out in the latest episode of the podcast when I chat to Brontë Aurell about liquorice.
Link in bio.
Find out in the latest episode of the podcast when I chat to Brontë Aurell about liquorice.
Link in bio.
January 9, 2025 at 6:20 PM
Does this bag contain my food heaven or my food hell?
Find out in the latest episode of the podcast when I chat to Brontë Aurell about liquorice.
Link in bio.
Find out in the latest episode of the podcast when I chat to Brontë Aurell about liquorice.
Link in bio.
That’s a wrap for the first course of season 3 of the Comfortably Hungry podcast. Episodes 1-7 are available now on your favourite podcast platform.
Thank you to all my lovely listeners, subscribers and guests.
Merry Christmas everyone!
Thank you to all my lovely listeners, subscribers and guests.
Merry Christmas everyone!
December 24, 2024 at 8:55 AM
That’s a wrap for the first course of season 3 of the Comfortably Hungry podcast. Episodes 1-7 are available now on your favourite podcast platform.
Thank you to all my lovely listeners, subscribers and guests.
Merry Christmas everyone!
Thank you to all my lovely listeners, subscribers and guests.
Merry Christmas everyone!
A Pepperpot from ‘Meg Dods’ cookbook c. 1826
This is a good demonstration of how dishes originally created by the enslaved made their way into middle class cookbooks (albeit an anglicised interpretation).
You can find the recipe & podcast on the Comfortably Hungry substack (link in bio).
This is a good demonstration of how dishes originally created by the enslaved made their way into middle class cookbooks (albeit an anglicised interpretation).
You can find the recipe & podcast on the Comfortably Hungry substack (link in bio).
December 12, 2024 at 9:11 AM
A Pepperpot from ‘Meg Dods’ cookbook c. 1826
This is a good demonstration of how dishes originally created by the enslaved made their way into middle class cookbooks (albeit an anglicised interpretation).
You can find the recipe & podcast on the Comfortably Hungry substack (link in bio).
This is a good demonstration of how dishes originally created by the enslaved made their way into middle class cookbooks (albeit an anglicised interpretation).
You can find the recipe & podcast on the Comfortably Hungry substack (link in bio).