A Long Expected Party

“If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world.”

So, as some of you may have noticed, I’m a bit of a Lord of the Rings fanatic. It began when I was about 12 and read The Hobbit for the first time, but it grew into an obsession over the years, until – like the One Ring – it became my own, my Precioussss (yes, I have it badly). And of course, when Peter Jackson’s LotR trilogy came out in 2001, any hope of recovery or return to some modicum of normality was lost for good.

22nd September is a very special day for Tolkien fans all over the world as it is the birthday of two very special hobbits – Bilbo and Frodo Baggins. So naturally, today I say a very Happy Birthday to Bilbo and Frodo – Ringbearers and Elf Friends.

On this day people the world over celebrate Middle-Earth and its creator, Professor J.R.R. Tolkien, in many different ways – from simply re-reading the books to throwing a party worthy of Bilbo’s Long Expected Party, from sharing the love and fellowship via social media to meeting up with friends to enjoy The Hobbit or The Lord of the Rings in one way or another, whether through role-play or movie and/or book marathons.

And for those you who don’t know – in honour of these two great Hobbits – today is also known as Hobbit Day. If you had the money and the means, I would have suggested attending the festivities that are held in the Hobbiton film set in New Zealand on this day. I certainly would have loved to have attended, and hopefully one day, I will get to.

Personally, I will be celebrating the Rinbearers’ birthdays with a Lord of the Rings movie marathon, accompanied by a menu fit for a Hobbit table.

Should you decide to follow my example, here are some ideas for creating a worthy Hobbit menu to go with your movie marathon:

Traditional Hobbit Meals

Breakfast

Start the day off right with a hearty breakfast designed to hold hungry Hobbits over until the next meal.

• Mini quiche made with cheese, or vegetables
• Honey nut cake and marmalade
• Hobbit hash (potatoes, leeks, spinach, and cheese)
• Omelette made with curry spices, onions, and tomatoes

Second Breakfast

Second breakfast is usually a bit lighter and less savory than its predecessor. Offer up sweet pastries, fruits, or toast with jams and jellies. It’s important, however, that your Hobbit food still includes plenty of meat.

• Scones and clotted cream
• Breakfast pie made with salmon, leeks, eggs, and cream
• Bread topped with butter and honey served with a side of fruit

Elevenses

Elevenses is a mid-morning tea time snack designed to hold Hobbits over until lunchtime. These meal ideas are perfect for pairing with tea or coffee.

• Elven lembas bread
• Lavender and lemon muffins
• Strawberry shortcake with cream
• Caraway seed cake
• Lemon tea cake

Luncheon

After a morning of lighter fare, luncheon should be filled with hearty, warm dishes designed to keep Hobbits’ hunger at bay.

• Potato and onion soup
• Fish and chips
• Shepherd’s pie
• Roast mutton
• Scotch eggs

Afternoon Tea

Given a Hobbit’s love of social calls and gossip, it’s no surprise afternoon tea is a meal meant for socialising with one another. Pair the following sweet treats with tea, coffee, or mead.

• Ring cookies
• Berry pie
• Mixed berry cobbler
• Blackberry tarts
• Apple pie and cream

Dinner

When served in the evening time, dinner is generally the largest meal of the day. Serve plenty of meats and vegetables to create a proper Hobbit dinner.

• Cottage pie
• Spiced beef and roasted vegetables
• Savory porridge
• Pepper-crusted steak served with potatoes
• Cheddar soup

Supper

This final meal needs to hold hobbits over until the next morning. Similar to dinner, your supper should contain plenty of meats, bread, cheeses, and ale (non-alcoholic, in my case 🙂 ).

• Mushroom soup
• Salad served with fresh herbs and hard-boiled eggs
• Roasted chicken
• Rabbit stew

To my fellow Tolkienites – Elen sila lumenn’ omentielvo.