Tuesday, January 04, 2011

Bedspread for Two



There is dinner for two...




...and cards and caviar for two.




And more caviar for two.




You have coffee and dessert for two...




...and breakfast for two. (Wouldn't you like to start the morning like this?)


But what about a bedspread for two? No, it's not for twin beds...





Nor even a double.







It involves eggs and oysters. And before you let your imaginations get away with you (this is not 9 1/2 Weeks, people), I'll tell you that it was a favorite recipe of Mr. Hermann Oelrichs and was included in the 1940 cookbook Specialites de la Maison (American Friends of France).

Random? Yes, and I couldn't think of any other way to tie in such an oddly titled recipe!

Bedspread for Two
6 eggs
1 dozen medium oysters
Anchovy paste
Butter

Stir eggs in a soup plate. Cut up oysters moderately fine in a second soup plate. Rub bottom of blazer (chafing dish) with anchovy paste. Put in good sized piece of butter, and proceed to do eggs into a creamy scramble. Just as they are turning, throw in oysters, and stir until well blended and cooked through. Serve on toast slightly spread with anchovy paste.


(B&W table photos from Tiffany Table Settings; color table photos from The New Tiffany Table Settings. Bedroom photo #1 from House & garden's complete guide to interior decoration,; bedroom photo #2 from House & Garden's Complete Guide to Interior Decoration / By the Editors of House & Garden. Recipe from Specialites de la Maison (American Friends of France).)

17 comments:

  1. I think they liked anchovies better in the old days. Interesting, but... I like the idea of caviar for two much more.

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  2. We should maybe try this over cocktails one evening! Sounds wonderful.

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  3. Balsamfir- I'm with you re: the caviar! I will say that a little anchovy paste in certain dishes is pretty good...and salty.

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  4. Blue- It's a date! (For three!)

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  5. What a glorious retro post a deux, Jennifer, thank you.
    I hope Blue will deliver my very best wishes after our meeting in London.

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  6. Hello Rose! In fact, Blue did so last evening, and thank you for the well wishes! I'm just sorry that I couldn't join you for tea!

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  7. I have never heard of that, loved the random recipe and the charming theme!

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  8. This is so Chic! great way you tied it all together. ahhhh a deux xx peggybraswelldesign.com

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  9. My latest decadent egg is: Beat eggs vigorously, add butter and scramble beating constantly with a whisk over a double boiler. Add chopped Prosciutto and lightly drizzle white truffle oil over the top and incorporate. Serve immediately over toast points. Yum!! I take eggs very seriously, while most people do not. I recommend The Good Egg by Marie Simmons with over 2,000 egg recipes.

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  10. Dovecote- That sounds absolutely delicious. I'm going to try that soon! Yum.

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  11. I think you tied it in admirably and charmingly! I adore anchovies so this sounds just divine to me!! And I may have to try Liz at Dovecote's as well!!

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  12. I found your blog through Charm Home. I think Bedspread for Two sounds wonderful! I'm assuming there is a glass of champagne involved as well?

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  13. Workroom- if not, there should be!

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  14. Love the name! It brought to mind angels on horseback, another oyster appetizer from the past. I think there's something called devils on horseback but it doesn't involve oysters. Great vintage photographs!

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  15. Actually, I already make this all the time, except without the eggs or the oysters, since the inclusion of more than two ingredients would push the whole thing dangerously close to actual cooking, which I prefer to avoid. Salad-in-a-bag: the greatest invention of the 2Oth Century.

    But regular toast--may I recommend Sunbeam for a perfectly smooth surface?--spread with a 1/2 & 1/2 blend of unsalted butter & anchovy paste? It's great. Also much easier!

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  16. Room Temp- Okay, I'm going to try this in your honor. But what I'm not sure about is my ability to find Sunbeam bread. I don't know if we can get that down here or not.

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  17. The two-seater chair is fabulous. Check out the 3-seater on my blog. It is amazing!

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