A CANADIAN RECIPE FROM 1738 ~ INTERESTED?

On a lark we went to a Flea Market-Auction this past Sunday, just to take a look at what they had. I found a couple of antique items, gold glass dishes and candle holders, that my mother has; they made me miss her terribly since she is in BC and we are on PEI. Then I perchanced on a very special little cookbook with recipes from the 1700's, out of Louisbourg, Nova Scotia, Canada. In a few blogs I'd like to share with you the recipes I am trying.

Fortification of Louisbourg, Nova Scotia

FYI: Louisbourg was a very busy little seaport and trading center that was first colonized by the french when they came to Canada. From the 14th to the 17th centuries food in France was cooked with plenty of spices and oil but little or no sugar because it was just too expensive. Near the end of the 1700's chefs started introducing lighter styles of preparation where they used a lot less meat with delicate sauces, marinades and sweet dishes to compensate.

Main Street, Louisbourg

By the 1740's new cooking methods like braising, extracting the juices and essences proved to be the beginning of the second period of French cuisine that continued throughout most of the 18th century or the 1700's. After the French Revolution the third period, the world-renowned Haute cuisine began.

Town Square, Louisbourg, Nova Scotia

Although residents kept hens, local supplies of eggs proved insufficient. In 1752, 1504 dozen eggs arrived aboard ship from New England. Eggs weren't eaten at breakfast, rather they were prepared as a course or main dish at noon or at the dinner hour. Egg prices always rose in winter so the 18th century housekeeps worked hard to make the summer supplies last into the cold season, if they could. Eggs were stored in cellars if they weren't too humid or in straw, hay or sawdust-lined casks for the colder months.

"egg white mixed with quicklime, a bit of cement, some pitch and crushed/powered egg shell gives a strong mastic compound to repair broken porcelain."


Quote from Menon, La cuisiniere bourgeoise: 
"On the dish in which you are serving, spread butter to the thickness of a knife blade, on this put pieces of bread cut very thin and also thin slices of gruyere cheese, then 8 or 10 eggs; season with a little salt, nutmeg, pepper; cook in a low oven."

***Remembering that 'low oven' meant more or less away from the hottest part of an open fireplace!***

Here is the Recipe for Eggs a la bourgeoise that I just made for lunch:
1 tbsp Butter
5-6 thin slices Bread, crusts removed
6 thin slices Gruyere Cheese
8-10 Eggs
Pinch of Nutmeg
Salt & Pepper to taste
Butter a pie plate and  

place layer of bread, rolled flat with rolling pin, in the plate. I used multi-grain...

Top with thin layer of cheese; I used mozz & cheddar mixed and shredded it, about one cup...
  
before breaking 5 eggs over the cheese.
  

Nutmeg, salt and pepper

Here is a close up of the way it will look after all ingredients are added...

see the cheese underneath the eggs?

 Cook in a pre-heated 300 F oven for 25 to 30 minutes, longer for firmer eggs; I did 40 minutes and it came out like this:

eggs were firm; food was simple, tasty and very easy to make

Not a huge fan of eggs myself, I really enjoyed this dish, although it 'looked' dubious at first, it tasted wonderful. Clean up was a snap, only one dish was used.

Try this yourself and comment on how it went, I'd love to hear how you liked it.
 
Enjoy an egg dish that was popular 200 years ago!
Bon a...

 Catspaw

Best Way to Adopt Your Next Pet

Considering pet adoption, I take my hat off to you! There are a few insights of note for you to reflect on while you are choosing both the place to adopt from and the pet you want to accept into your home.

Depending where you go to make your selection of a new cat, dog or bird some places start you off with a meet and greet program where you literally meet different animals and interact with them at the store, shelter or facility. The staff helps you decide using an application for adoption which includes a section that takes into account your lifestyle, current residence and experience with pets. Through this medium, they assist you in finding the best fit for you or you and your family. Understandably, they want 'forever' homes for the animals they allow to go to different people.

These new pets are either already spayed and neutered, including being given their shots or you can request it if the surgery has not already been preformed. Check with each place you visit as to their fees as they can range from $50 to $150; usually the cost is included on the animals paperwork. Its a good idea to phone ahead and get some information so you can choose which ones to pay a call to.

Inquire if the animal you are considering is sponsored through a program they offer like Furry Friends, it may be that the adoption fee has been pre-paid. The adoption of two pets can net you a discount for some 'bonded' pairs that the facility or store does not want to separate. Some pairs of animals are designated as bonded because they have already lived much of their lives together and therefore, must be adopted together at a special discount.

Ask also about what medical services are included in the adoption fee. Usually the spay/neuter is done prior to being taken by the new owner(s) but it might also include microchip registration, a preliminary vet check, vaccinations – some places provide at least one booster shot, a DA2PP for dogs and an RCP for cats. Request information about rabies vaccine and if they perform this or if you need your vet to administer it under your name. Other items that may be included are internal parasite treatment, a heartworm test for dogs at six months of age and FeLV/FIV tests for cats, flea medications.

A complete medial history of your new found friend with an itemized list of the regimen they have had is yours to take to your vet for a post adoptive exam and some shelters may provide a 30 day gift of insurance as well. Not a bad deal for them and for you, as the new master or mistress of a healthy animal and a happier home.

Catspaw

As It Happened,

As it happened, Boo’s death coincided with Sassy’s birth of a single calico kitten. We christened her Emerald because we were moving to a hamlet of that name within a few weeks. Molly seemed lost without Boo, she’d wander the house and basement calling for him; she searched outside and Sassy would join her going to all the places Boo usually went. My husband and I weren’t the only ones mourning the loss of our dear friend. It was part of the reason we decided to keep Sassy’s baby, as a balm for all of us and in remembrance of Boo. 

Now older and wiser, Emerald lives in a world of her own where she, exclusively, rules and everyone else is her servant! A beautiful creature with semi long fur in calico colors, she spends her time preening and demanding treats. Highly competitive, she has to get her treats first because she will steal them from the others. Every morning begins the same with Emmy up on her hind legs, almost dancing to grab the treat bag out of my hands with her paws. Like Molly, she is very clever at getting what she wants. She uses her paws, usually with claws out, to steal food from dishes, hands and to gingerly pull treats away from the others.

Since the move she’s gotten used to going outside but demands re-entrance by getting up on her hind legs and in Grand fashion, furiously paws the outside of the patio door. She’s aggressive when she plays and is always the first to do everything. Though she doesn’t like to be picked up and cuddled unless it’s her choosing, the morning or evening crazies find her terrorizing the entire household while everyone tries to stay out of her way. Frequently she has almost successfully gone for a headlong nosedive down the narrow basement stairs. I swear there are invisible brakes on that cat!

Catspaw