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

On Reflection

So I'm missing my only niece's wedding but in redefining my role, I'm not as upset about it anymore. What do I mean?


A Wedding is only the first step into married life and if you do it right and you are fortunate, it will be the only marriage you have. To that end, I will share the things I have learnt over the passed ten years because I know she will guidance on occasion.


What was the defining moment for you, just before your wedding? What was the ritual or the tradition you started or felt you needed to do to begin your married life?


For me, it was purchasing items for my new home. I felt the need have my own possessions to start my new life and outfit my home only to find, years later, that the ones that have come to mean the most to me are the items that were given. My mother has always collected things, from antique furniture and lamps to every kind of old style dish and cup ~ the kind of stuff you just don't find today anymore. She gave me many things that I treasure today and keep safely tucked away in my china cabinet. They remind me of her and of my childhood, when and how she used to use them. She has given copious amounts of things to us kids ~ to my younger sister when she got married and now, to her grandbaby. Its vitality important that we cherish these items and not take them for granted because when the people who gave them to us pass from this life and leave us to struggle on, its these same items that will serve as remembrances and a legacy to hand down to our own children. 


I have a few things that belonged to my Dad, he passed away over a year ago now and every time I use them or look at them I remember how he used to use them. You don't forget so easily if you are surrounded by these objects and I'm grateful for all the things my mother has given me. I would not part with a single item. They are  too important to me and are a big part of my married life. Isn't it funny, the importance we attach to things we think we need like new dish towels and the perfect set of drapes when its the things you are given, together with your changing attitudes and behaviors that will count for the most. Even after ten years married, I still marvel at how much my attitude and moods affect my husband and the sheer power I have over him and he has over me. Its been a constant reminder to be more careful and to treat the people we love ever more gently.


Catspaw

I'd Like To Tell You...

...about a very good friend of mine and her website. Tammy Downey and her husband Chad have been our very good friends for a number of years now. Since we moved from Alberta to Prince Edward Island two years ago, we have stayed in touch and we check out each other's blogs.

Tammy has a website called Stampin' Up that you can find at this web address: http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/lovetocreate/ that I feature on my Blog; Welcome to Tammy Downey's STAMPIN' UP site. 

Like me, she Blogs daily to share the projects she has created and she's done some pretty amazing things. Tammy creates every type of occasion card you can imagine, from 

Wedding cards...

to Birthday Cards.

This is a Rich Raspberry Birthday Card and here is a 3 Flower Vintage Birthday Card, all made by hand and from scratch.

 

These fabulous cards aren't the only Heirloom Treasures you'll discover on her site, you will also find some pretty unusual items as well, like this: 

K-cup Holder with an Antique Card

These are a pair of Hello Business Card Holder Cards that you give with your business card inside! How unique is that to give to that unsuspecting customer or client. You can be sure they will remember you after that!!

But I especially love this, 

Hostess Thank You Cards with detachable Fabric Flower magnets.


In one of my favorite colors too! 


Beautiful and re-useable!

There are a ton of these unique creations and so much more, on Tammy's site and I encourage each of my readers and visitors to visit Tammy's website and explore all the different, unusual and whimsical things she is creating. She offers classes for anyone interested and you can purchase items you fall in love with. 


Please visit Tammy's website at:
http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/lovetocreate/

or click on her STAMPIN' UP link on the left side of my blog just above My Followers.  Thanks and Enjoy! 
 
Catspaw