I struggled writing this post. I wanted to simply list some menus and recipes from The French Cook, or, The Art of Cookery, by Louis Eustache Ude from 1815. Unfortunately, the recipes in the original book are difficult to locate because the dish names on the menus don’t match the recipes. After spending more time on this little project than I intended, I found a second addition of the book from 1822. Everyone must have complained to Ude, so he made an easy to read version. However, he used the same images for the courses as he did in the original edition, despite switching to English for the dish names, as well as changing some of the dishes. So, I doubt there is a direct correspondence from the French to the English in this post, but I have tried to blend the two editions together to match the illustrations.
I shall endeavor to include more menus in the coming days. If you want to look up the actual recipes, I suggest the 2nd edition of The French Cook on Google Books. Also, Nancy Mayer has a great explanation of table Settings and removes on her site. Bill of fare for a dinner of four entries in summer time.
First course
Le Potage printannier, or spring soup.
Les tranches de cabilleau, sauce aux huitres, or crimp cod and oyster sauce.
Two removes
La poularde à la Montmorencie, or fowl la Mcntmorenci, garnished with a ragout a I’Allcmande.
Le jambon de Westphalie, à l’essence, or ham glazed with Espagnole.
Four entrées
La fricassée de poulets aux champignons, or fricassee of chicken and mushrooms.
Les côtelettes d’Agneau sautés, sauce à la Macédoine, or lamb chops saute, with asparagus, peas, &c.
Le sauté de filets de poulets gras, au suprême, or fillets of fat chicken, saute au supreme.
Les tendrons de veau glacés aux laitues, à l’essence or petits pdtes of fillet of fowl a la bechamelle.
Second course
Le chapon, or fowls roasted, garnished with water cresses.
Les cailles, or six quails
Four entrées
Les pois à la Françoise.
La gelée de fraises.
Les asperges en bâtonets, or asparagus with plain butter.
Les puits d’amour garnis de marmalade, or orange jellies in mosaiques.
* Later edition includes Cauliflower with veloute sauce and Petit gateaux d’ la Manon.
Two removes of the roast.
La tart de groseilles rouges.
Le soufflé au citron, or souffle with lemon.
* Later edition includes Ramequin d la Sefton.
First Course
Second Course
Ude writes, “From the above statement it will be easy to make a bill of fare of four, six, eight, twelve, or sixteen entrees, and the other courses in proportion”
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4 Replies to “Regency Menu for Four”
While this sounds nice, I think I’d prefer a nice Welsh Pasty or a good shepherd’s pie. I have the 2nd edition of this book and it’s fascinated. I also have found some old early 19th century housekeeping books on Google that outline more “every day” food.
What amazes me the most is there was no refrigeration. I can’t imagine doing such a gourmet meal and not having a fridge.
Great blog post. Thanks for sharing!
amy
Amy,
Thank you for your kind comment.
Please share your books! I’m always looking for great sources.
After spending more time on this little project than I intended, I found a second addition of the book from 1822. Everyone must have complained to Ude, so he made an easy to read version. However, he used the same images for the courses as he did in the original edition, despite switching to English for the dish names, as well as changing some of the dishes. So, I doubt there is a direct correspondence from the French to the English in this post, but I have tried to blend the two editions together to match the illustrations.
Ude writes, “From the above statement it will be easy to make a bill of fare of four, six, eight, twelve, or sixteen entrees, and the other courses in proportion”
While this sounds nice, I think I’d prefer a nice Welsh Pasty or a good shepherd’s pie. I have the 2nd edition of this book and it’s fascinated. I also have found some old early 19th century housekeeping books on Google that outline more “every day” food.
What amazes me the most is there was no refrigeration. I can’t imagine doing such a gourmet meal and not having a fridge.
Great blog post. Thanks for sharing!
amy
Amy,
Thank you for your kind comment.
Please share your books! I’m always looking for great sources.
Thanks,
Susanna