Thursday, October 20, 2011

Victorian Cuisine on a Budget

Living during a recession isn't the first time people bemoaned their budget.

Despite the romance surrounding the Victorian era, not every meal served was attached to a lavish ball or formal dinner party. Here is a one-dish, budget-friendly dinner from the 1860,
Miss Beecher’s domestic receiptbook: designed as a supplement to her Treatise on domestic economy.

Stewed Beef:

Early in the morning, take a shank or hock of beef, with all the meat belonging to it, and put it, and a tablespoon of salt, in a pot full of boiling water. Let it simmer very slowly, until the beef is soft, and cleaves from the bone, and the water is reduced to two quarts. Then peel some potatoes, and cut them into quarters, and throw in with two teaspoons of black pepper, two of sweet marjoram, and two of thyme or summer savory. Add some celery flavor or sauce and more salt, if necessary. Stew until the potatoes are cooked enough, but not until they are mashed. Then take dry bread, and throw in, breaking it into small pieces, and when soaked, take up the whole and serve it, and everybody will say it is about the best dish they ever tasted. For those who love onions, slice three or four and put in with the potatoes. Rice can be used instead of bread.

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