Folklore, Food and Fairytales

In which we discover that cherries can restore your wealth, spiders  can be the reason for miracles, mulled cider can result in treasure and  that trifle is devoid of folklore. Christmas Pudding, however has plenty  to share. This is the fourth of four seasonal story and festive food related  episodes to take us through December and lead us to the big midwinter  celebratio...

In which we discover that being a bear is not always permanent,  kindness is key to a happy life, owning treasure does not improve your  temper and that spice and warmth improves most drinks. This is the third of four seasonal story and festive food related  episodes to take us through December and lead us to the big midwinter celebration of your choice, I hope you enjoy the slightl...

In which we discover how mountains were formed, what happens when  winter goes on for too long and that a mince pie has never been illegal,  no matter how scandalous you make it sound. This is the second of four seasonal story and festive food related  episodes to take us through December and lead us to the big midwinter  celebration of your choice, I hope you enjoy the slightl...

In which we discover that kindness can overcome cruelty, a little magic  goes a long way and there are many historic cheese related wonders. This is the first of four seasonal story and festive food related  episodes to take us through December and lead us to the big midwinter celebration of your choice, I hope you enjoy the slightly different  focus.  I will let today's story...

In which we discover that a hero should keep his promises, that you should wait to get home before snacking, your father isn't always right and a delightful Hungarian cheese puff can save your life.  This podcast also has a terrifying ogre, three mysterious old ladies, three wonderful yet terrifying dogs, three miraculous napkins, a generous employer, cakes, a slightly inconvenient wife, and...

In which we find out that some Cinderellas will stop at nothing to achieve happiness, sometimes stepsisters just go home in a temper and that macaroni cheese is older than you might think. This podcast also contains powerful fairies from Sardinia, ships  that won't go, feasts, six wicked stepsisters, two wicked stepmothers, a disappointing father, a mysterious date tree, golden gardening tool...

In which we discover that there's a difference between a rogue and a villain, people can be very careless with their animals and that you should never leave a stranger alone with your goose or your whiskey. Today's story is The Cunning Thief from More Celtic Fairy Tales by Joseph Jacobs originally collected by Patrick Kennedy in the Fireside Stories of Ireland . Today's recipe is for Roast Goose w...

In which we find that kindness, wit, cleverness and politeness are the keys to a wonderful future, the perfect cheese toastie is within your grasp and sometimes you have to make your own happy ever after. A slight change to the usual format with two short stories instead of the usual longer one. The original stories of Kate Crackernuts and The Three Heads in a Well can be found in English Fairy Ta...

In which we find out that princesses definitely can decide their own destiny, that seeking your fortune can take a very long time and that the gift of pomegranates is always welcome. This Armenian folk tale incorporates wonders, adventures, giants, jewels beyond price and even incredible embroidery. You can find the story that my tale is based in this wonderful contemporary collection . The Punjab...

In which we confirm that a clever, witty woman can save the day, that food adulteration in soda bread is occasionally warranted and that outwitting a giant can save you a lot of DIY. Today's story is an Irish tall tale based on the Legend of Knockmany from Celtic Fairy Tales , edited by Joseph Jacobs.  Another version is available in Fairy and Folk Tales of the Irish Peasantry by W. B. Yeats...

In which we discover that fate can be tricksy, fish pie can be surprising and that you can get away with pretty much anything if you are a baron. This episode includes a wonderful story about fate, the history of fish pie and a fantastic luxury pie recipe. The link for today's recipe is here If you are interested in the faithless queen you can read about her in the Life of Vertigern If you are mor...

In which we discover that it can be unwise to have your name on your belt, that cleverness is important for heroes, the downsides of wagon driving and how a pudding can save or take a life. Today’s story has giants, heroes, magic swords, enchanted ladies, generous princes, a possessed princess, treasure, wicked magicians, monsters and even the devil has a bit part. The original text that this stor...

In which we find out what happens when Madam Moon is absent from the sky, why you should always listen to a Wise-Woman and how any of this is relevant to a fruity tea-time snack. A wonderful story from the wilds of the Carrlands of North Lincolnshire.  It's a little dark (literally) and the horrors and crawly creatures amongst the watery bogs and marshes make this the perfect story for when t...

In which we discover why you should never pose as an oil salesman, what your salt consumption reveals about you and how a good bread recipe connects the two. We also learn, more importantly, that a clever, courageous, quick-thinking woman is what you really need to save the day and the treasure. This is the recipe for the excellent loaf that is topped with salt, doesn’t require any kneading and ca...

In which we find out how giving away your lunch can find you a bride and win you a kingdom and how relevant that is to a delicious apricot flapjack. Jesper and the Hares is essentially a Jack tale who’s hero just happens to be named Jesper. Jesper is wily, clever and tricky and has two foolish elder brothers. He also wins the day though a combination of trickery and generosity to those more vulner...

In which we enter the world of Russian folklore and ask impertinent and possibly irrelevant questions about a soup called Solyanka. Vasilissa the Fair is a Russian wonder tale, as collected by Alexander Afanasief. In this unusual story, the heroine comes up against not only the traditional wicked stepmother and envious stepsisters but also a dangerous Baba Yaga. We also talk about what happens to...

The Gifts of the Magician & The Great Historical Oxtail Mystery In which I explain how the wonderful story of Gifts of the Magician is connected to Oxtail via an extremely tenuous link and actually quite an interesting history. Story - The Gifts of The Magician adapted from Andrew Lang’s Crimson Fairy Book Recipe - Braised Oxtail with Orange & Star Anise adapted from Diana Henry’s Recipe T...