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Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Supper Jane Austen Style

The other night I had supper that Jane Austen would have approved of: toasted cheese – in all its simplicity.

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In 1805, Jane Austen wrote, "We were greatly surprised by Edward Bridge's company...It is impossible to do justice to the hospitality of his attentions towards me; he made a point of ordering toasted cheese for supper, entirely on my account."

To make toasted cheese in period style, I used the following recipe by Martha Lloyd, Jane Austen’s dear friend, who lived with her at Chawton.

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Toasted Cheese
Grate the cheese and add it to one egg, a teaspoonful of mustard, and a little butter. Send it up on toast, or in paper trays.

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I added some salt and pepper, poured the lot on the bread and roasted the bread in the grill. Voila! A tasty supper was ready - similar to what Jane Austen would have enjoyed having at Chawton.

Interesting to know that Regency people will have enjoyed simple comfort food as much as we do now…

 

 

References:

Quote and recipe from: The Jane Austen Centre Online magazine

The recipe is originally from: Hickman, P. (1977).  A Jane Austen Household Book. David & Charles, Ltd.

5 comments:

  1. A classic! I never added an egg before, but I eat this all the time. Will have to try Miss Lloyd's rendition.

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  2. I love this receipe! It is one that I can actually follow, and I am sure it is delicious.

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  3. Looks delicious! But if I'm going to get the eggs and mustard out, I'll also get the ale out and make a Welsh Rarebit. A plain little toasted cheese sandwich is one of my favorite comfort foods, along with a proper cup of tea.

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  4. Oh, me, too. I love, love, love me a melty cheese sandwich. Welsh Rarebit elevates it to food fit for a Queen, and this seems almost like a "halfway" Rarebit. I'm sure it is wonderful. As Seattle is being overcome by heat (I think it's supposed to get to 104 today!) and I cannot handle it. Made myself some lemonade and am resting with a cold compress now.

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    1. Hi Julie, a cheese sandwich truly is comfort food, isn’t it? I heard about the heathwave there, take care and stay cool and hydrated!

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