Breakfast Recipes Biography
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The English breakfast is one of the best-loved national meals in the world, an edible symbol of England and Englishness. But how did breakfast attain this distinction, what can a national meal tell us about the nation that eats it, what are the links between social and culinary change, and is there more to the English breakfast than bacon and eggs?This biography of the English breakfast shows how the renowned meal came into being over many centuries, reaching its height in the Victorian and Edwardian eras when splendid breakfasts were served from silver dishes in grand country houses across the land. Following this historical analysis are three authentic and complete cookbooks devoted entirely to breakfasts from the heyday of this best of all meals, with some 500 recipes by three celebrated culinary figures of the Victorian age - an elite hostess, a thrifty housekeeper, and a pukka colonial colonel - before the narrative continues up to the present. The epilogue, new to this paperback edition, covers 'the devolved breakfast' (Scottish, Welsh and Irish); the renaissance of the full breakfast during financial crises and the working class 'caff'.Why would the English Breakfast need its own biography, wondered this reviewer, since after all what is there to really say about this classic staple?
The answer? There is rather a lot more to the English Breakfast than meets the eye, both in terms of its history and its cultural role. Just after a few pages, this reviewer's eyes were wide open, brain rapidly consuming much information in the process. Clearly the role of the breakfast has changed over time, with the usual argument being that we no longer have an agricultural or industrial-led society where big hearty breakfasts were the norm. Yet ironically often the more elaborate, filling breakfasts were enjoyed by the higher strata of society who absolutely didn't do physically-demanding labour.
This book is a lot more than just a history of the British breakfast. It is a great means to fill your mind, should you so allow it, with lots of "useless" information that might be helpful one day. For example, this reviewer never knew that author George Orwell (real name Eric Blair) had worked in restaurant kitchens in France. Or that, at the time, it was considered acceptable to beat younger boys at school if they had not mastered the art of making the perfect slice of toast for their seniors. Oh, there is a lot more to this breakfast lark than just a cup of tea, bacon, eggs and maybe a condiment or two.
Many one-time breakfast staples have fell out of use in today's society. Croquettes of Brains or Cauliflower in Batter anyone? Even beer for breakfast! Whilst many things are still as relevant today as they would have been hundreds of years ago, such as oatmeal porridge. The English breakfast is one of the best-loved national meals in the world, an edible symbol of England and Englishness. But how did breakfast attain this distinction, what can a national meal tell us about the nation that eats it, what are the links between social and culinary change, and is there more to the English breakfast than bacon and eggs? Why would the English Breakfast need its own biography, wondered this reviewer, since after all what is there to really say about this classic staple?
The answer? There is rather a lot more to the English Breakfast than meets the eye, both in terms of its history and its cultural role. Just after a few pages, this reviewer's eyes were wide open, brain rapidly consuming much information in the process. Clearly the role of the breakfast has changed over time, with the usual argument being that we n...moreThe answer? There is rather a lot more to the English Breakfast than meets the eye, both in terms of its history and its cultural role. Just after a few pages, this reviewer's eyes were wide open, brain rapidly consuming much information in the process. Clearly the role of the breakfast has changed over time, with the usual argument being that we n...more
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