Pique-Nique: Bastille Day

A group of friends gathered to commemorate Bastille Day but with the intent of raising a glass of champagne to those departed in the horrifying reign of terror that followed.  Our hopes were to have a beautiful sunny day.  The days before the event were overwhelmingly gloomy and cold, - yes, in July! Yet,  the weather Gods smiled on us and we had a fantastic afternoon of sunshine and warm but not hot temperatures.

We were a small gathering but a good group of like-minded people willing to gather in period fashion with all the trimmings of dining and enjoying each other's company.  Without further ado, here are some highlights from our day.

This wonderful lady has a habadashery shop called:  Renaissance Fabrics.  See link below.

We had a lovely time.  Many of these ladies have created their gowns various lesson learned at Costume College and from the wonderful ladies and gentlemen at Margaret hunter Shop:  Milliners and Mantuamakers in Colonial Williamsburg. http://www.colonialwilliamsburg.com/do/revolutionary-city/tour-the-city/milliner/  This link is to the CW site explanation of the Milliner site.  On Facebook look up Margaret...as written above.  You will see some of these ladies in the recent posts.

Another Link to share:  http://www.renaissancefabrics.net/

Next up:
Mainly hand sewing projects.  I want to finish my Kannik Korner Womans Cap (http://www.kannikskorner.com/)  that I didn't get done before the party.  I borrowed one of my friends.  I love my friends!  :)  I also plan to play with embroidery and hand sewing techniques for future use.

Dear readers:  I will try to post as often as I can over the next three weeks.  I will be moving over to my parents house in order to help and support my 84 year old Mother who is having her left knee replaced. Therefore it is likely that my postings will dwindle a bit as my focus will be on my mother's recovery and getting ready to return to work - I am a teacher and I need to work on my curriculum for this coming fall.  So, please be patient, check back often and please leave comments!  I love hearing from you all.  Cheers.

Le Cuisine - A Salmagundi for a pique-nique

This summer I attended a pique-nique (picnic) with like minded 18th century folk the weekend after Bastille Day.  I decided to bring a light and refreshing item to contribute to the collective table.  To that goal, I made a compound salad which is often called a salmagundi.  This is a salad made with layers of garden vegetables, meats and herbs.  I found references to this type of salad in:  Colonial Virginia Cookery by Jane Carson, The Virginia House-Wife by Mary Randolph with historical notes and commentaries by Karen Hess, Apres Moi, Le Dessert: A French eigtheenth century model meal, Notes and translation  by Jim Chevallier.  I also watched a tutorial podcast on the website:  http://cookit.e2bn.org/historycookbook In addition I found a definition in Food Lover's Companion, by Sharon Tyler Herbst which says "Salmagundi  (sal-muh-GUHN-dee) a composed salad including greens, chopped cooked meats and vegetables (the later sometimes pickled), anchovies, hard-cooked eggs and pickes.  The ingredients are artfully arranged on a platter and drizzed with dressing.  2.  A general term for a stew or other multi-ingredient dish."  The name of the salad is often seen with different spellings.  So far I have seen salmungdi, salamungdi, salamundy and salamongundy.  Or just simply a compound salad.


Here is my tutorial on how to put together a salamungdi:

I layered decorative kale leaves then topped with mixed lettuces.

Sliced cooked chicken breast fanned over the lettuce layer.

Strips of deli ham and wedges of nectarines followed another handful of lettuces.

Cucumbers (skinned and sliced) layered then more chicken.

Fresh haricot beans parboiled and fanned over the last layer whilst hard boiled eggs  (halved) are arranged around the edges.

More nectarine slices and sliced black olives and the addition of edible flowers.

Close-up of the salad.

Salad placed on the serving table.

 This salad was served with a balsamic vinegar dressing that I provided for guest to drizzle themselves over their own servings.  The salad was well received and complimented the other dishes.

Our pique-nique to celebrate our fallen loved ones to Madame Guillotine ended up a lovely warm and clear day.  

As you can see I did not finish my new Pierrot...sigh.

In the future if you have to bring something to a pique-nique try a salamungdi.  It is easy, period for 16th, 17th and 18th century meals.  It is also refreshing (low fat) and you can use whatever tickles your palate.  Seasonal vegies from the farmer's market or your own delightful garden is ideal.  Pickled ingredients were usual along with freshly cut herbs.  What to do if you are just not a cook?  In the US, we have our chef, Mr. Trader Joes.  :)  Purchase pre-cooked chicken breast sliced, bags of lettuce with herbs, pickled vegies, deli meats and yes, they even carry hardboiled eggs ready to go.  Artfully arrange the lot and your friends won't be any wiser...except if they've read this blog entry....smile.

Enjoy and share your salad combinations!  Cheers.