A menu for a Jane Austen picnic
With out the benefit of modern refrigeration or convenient packaged food, what might have been eaten at a picnic?
This suggested menu comes from Mrs. Beeton’s 1860 book, which is decidedly Victorian, but the foods are indicative of what might have been served in Austen’s era as well.
BILL OF FARE FOR A PICNIC FOR 40 PERSONS
A joint of cold roast beef, a joint of cold boiled beef, 2 ribs of lamb, 2 shoulders of lamb, 4 roast fowls, 2 roast ducks, 1 ham, 1 tongue, 2 veal-and-ham pies, 2 pigeon pies, 6 medium-sized lobsters, 1 piece of collared calf’s head, 18 lettuces, 6 baskets of salad, 6 cucumbers.
Stewed fruit well sweetened, and put into glass bottles well corked; 3 or 4 dozen plain pastry biscuits to eat with the stewed fruit, 2 dozen fruit turnovers, 4 dozen cheesecakes, 2 cold cabinet puddings in moulds, 2 blancmanges in moulds, a few jam puffs, 1 large cold plum-pudding (this must be good), a few baskets of fresh fruit, 3 dozen plain biscuits, a piece of cheese, 6 lbs. of butter (this, of course, includes the butter for tea), 4 quartern loaves of household broad, 3 dozen rolls, 6 loaves of tin bread (for tea), 2 plain plum cakes, 2 pound cakes, 2 sponge cakes, a tin of mixed biscuits, 1/2 lb, of tea. Coffee is not suitable for a picnic, being difficult to make.
Things not to be forgotten at a Picnic
A stick of horseradish, a bottle of mint-sauce well corked, a bottle of salad
dressing, a bottle of vinegar, made mustard, pepper, salt, good oil, and
pounded sugar. If it can be managed, take a little ice. It is scarcely
necessary to say that plates, tumblers, wine-glasses, knives, forks, and
spoons, must not be forgotten; as also teacups and saucers, 3 or 4 teapots,
some lump sugar, and milk, if this last-named article cannot be obtained in the
neighbourhood. Take 3 corkscrews.
Beverages
3 dozen quart bottles of ale, packed in hampers; ginger-beer, soda-water, and
lemonade, of each 2 dozen bottles; 6 bottles of sherry, 6 bottles of claret,
champagne à discrétion, and any other light wine that may be preferred, and 2
bottles of brandy. Water can usually be obtained so it is useless to take it.
So, the next time you pack a few sandwiches and some cold cans of soda, reflect back on what the picnic used to be, and how Jane Austen would so be judging you now!
What do you suppose is the difference between plain pastry biscuits, plain biscuits and a tin of mixed biscuits?
Most of it sounds pretty good, apart from the calf’s head!
That is some list of foods. I’m with Anji on that calf’s head. I know… waste not, want not. They managed to use/consume every part of the beast. Considering there was no refrigeration and what ice they could manage had been stored in an ice house since winter, I think they did fairly well with that menu.
They look very formal in their attire. I broke out in a sweat just thinking about all the clothing they wore in that period. I love the picture, but it smothers me to death as we are enduring the heat in the 90s right now. Where’s my fan? Thanks for this interesting post.