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Recipes for Downton Abbey fans

"Downton Abbey" season 3 kicks off in the United States Jan. 6. Finally, fans will get the answers to such burning questions as: Will Matthew and Lady Mary actually get married? How will the arrival of Lady Cora's American mother throw off the balance? Will Mr. Bates ever be free? Here are a few British-themed recipes from Stir It Up! to help take the edge off the suspense as you gather around "the telly" for another season of intrigue, passion, and a lot of really well dressed characters.

Nick Briggs/PBS/AP
Maggie Smith as the Dowager Countess Grantham was nominated for a Golden Globe award for best supporting actress in "Downton Abbey." Season three for the British mini series kicks off in the US Jan. 6.

1. A proper English breakfast

Nick Briggs/Carnival Film & Television Limited 2011 for MASTERPIECE/PBS/AP
In this image released by PBS, front row from left, Iain Glen as Sir Richard Carlisle, Michelle Dockery as Lady Mary, and Dan Stevens as Matthew Crawley are shown in a scene from the second season on 'Downton Abbey.'

British dishes aren't known for their delicate flavors. This menu for a traditional, hearty English breakfast is the perfect fuel for a day tromping about the Lake District (or a fox hunt, anyone?).

English breakfast

2 eggs, scrambled or fried 

Baked beans

Mushrooms, quartered and sautéed

Toast, cold

Tomatoes, brushed with oil, salted and then broiled or grilled

Sausage

Bacon (Americans will have to use Canadian bacon, it’s the closest we’ve got)

Large cuppa tea

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Mark Sappenfield
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