Posted by Julien Foster on July 27, 1998 at 21:28:12:
My vote is for the rabbit cooked by Dot in "The Picts and the Martyrs". I think it has a lot to do with the whole build-up: the lesson from the "Pict"; the gutting ("Dick?" - and it was a question); the rain and then Nancy suddenly appearing in the doorway: "Gosh! What a delicious smell".
I once visited the inspiration for "The Dog's Home" in Coniston...on a very wet day...and remembered the episode, which must be one of the most evocative meals in Ransome.
There are other contenders too, of course, but I won't spoil things by setting them out at this stage: it would be interesting to see whether anyone else thinks of them.
Let the debate commence!