The Saturday Sip: December 23, 2023
Your etiquette tip, quote and an Emily Post Cookbook recipe to start your weekend off right!
The Tip
When receiving a gift, your thank you can focus on the gift itself, the effort the person went to, or your appreciation for being thought of. All, some, or one will make for a great thank you. Remember, if this isn’t a moment when you have a gift to give in return, don’t worry. Focus on the gift you’ve just been given. If this moment inspires you to give this person a gift, great. But it doesn’t have to. Gifting isn’t something we do only in reciprocal situations - especially around the holidays.
The Recipe
Who doesn’t love eggs benedict? While Emily’s recipe is more about assembling the elements than perfecting a hollandaise sauce, it’s a great reminder of a classic breakfast dish. And we appreciate her suggestion to use two eggs to make the meal a main course - because who wouldn’t want eggs benedict for lunch or dinner too?!
Emily Post’s Cookbook, 1951, pg. 270 *Please note that recipes are copied as exactly as possible, including grammatical errors and inconsistencies.
Eggs Benedict
Time: 25 minutes
Serves: 1 egg per person, unless this is the main course, when each person should have 2 eggs
Ingredients
English muffins [1 per person, split]
Sliced boiled ham [1 piece per person]
Poached egg [1 per person, unless this is the main course, then use 2]
2-4 tbs. Hollandaise Sauce [alternative: cheese sauce]
Directions
Split English muffins, using two forks to pull the two halves apart, not a knife to cut the muffin in two. Toast the half muffins and put them on plates, crust side down. Cover each with a lightly browned slice of boiled ham. Place a Poached Egg from which all the water has been drained on a piece of ham, cover and surround with Hollandaise Sauce. If enough butter is not available, the Best Cheese Sauce on page 238 makes a very acceptable substitute. There is also a prepared Hollandaise in the stores which, while not very good on vegetables, can be used for this dish with excellent results.
The Quote
“Any child can be taught to be beautifully behaved with no effort greater than quiet patience and perseverance, whereas to break bad habits once they are acquired is a Herculean task.” - Emily Post
SIGNED COPIES AVAILABLE - Signed copies of Emily Post’s Etiquette, The Centennial Edition, are available from our local independent bookstore, Bridgeside Books, in Waterbury, Vermont! [Unsigned copies may be purchased from any bookseller.]
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We hope you’ve enjoyed the Sip today. What’s your favorite way to make Eggs Benedict? We’d love to hear about your favorite variation. Can’t post here? Head over to the Monday thread, where the comment section is open to everyone!
Cheers!
Lizzie and Dan
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Emily Post in bed with a breakfast tray. Source unknown.