As regular readers may already know, I have a strange relationship with 'breakfast'. I eat alone at 5 am, and my choice of dishes goes from Squid in ink, to fried egg and haggis, to Octopus in garlic flavoured oil. It is the one meal of the day where my choice seems endless, often strange, but always very personal.
I have two favourite 'morning-after' breakfasts, if I'm in France it's a litre bottle of ice cold Orangina, and if in the UK it's anchovies on toast.
I haven't really had a serious 'morning-after' feeling for decades, but I do occasionally wake feeling in need of a pick-me-up, and both the Orangina and the anchovies do the job for that too.
Yesterday morning I felt a bit listless; a bit tired, and there was only one thing for it; a couple of slices of buttered wholemeal toast with a mini jar of anchovies. You can instantly feel them lifting the spirits.
Anchovies are interesting little fish. As with most of what we eat, quality goes from bog-standard to heavenly. I always think it's worth having a variety of tins or jars of anchovies in the cupboard. I usually have a few of those tiny long tins in olive oil, they are pleasant enough, and are perfect for pasta dishes that require a little oomph. I also buy medium quality of jars of anchovies either in oil (as I consumed yesterday, above) or in salt. Occasionally I buy the very best cans of perfectly prepared anchovies; Ortiz is a favourite.
Anchovies are a bit like Marmite; you either love or hate them. As you might imagine, I am a big fan.
Anchovies on toast sound most acceptable. The only time I've tasted them is on pizza. I like that saltiness. Sardines on toast wouldn't be too bad either. At 10am though. What I wouldn't have is that Orangina though ice cold I'm sure it's most refreshing. Sugar free?
ReplyDeleteThe Orangina a very orangey, very fizzy, and if very cold, extremely refreshing. It will revive even the very worst hangover.
DeleteSounds like the drink we Australians call "Fanta"
DeleteI prefer the Spanish tapas anchovies from Intermarché or SuperU... far less salty and more "fishflavoured" and not unpasted "Patum peperium"
ReplyDeleteI'm also a big fan of Gentleman's relish, but prefer the price of tinned anchovies. I do know the tapas ones you mean; they are quite different, but very delicious in their own way.
DeleteOrangina? Concentrated orange juice? One litre? For breakfast? Well, you sure do put your body through the paces - not least since, as I understand it, you are diabetic.
ReplyDeleteAnchovies? A magic ingredient - often going totally undetected in the cooking of, say, lamb yet adding that special something.
Your post reminded me of my grandfather. He used to eat his soft boiled breakfast egg topping it, every one/two teaspoon full, with anchovies paste from a tube. The tube was metal (like, say, tomato paste). He'd squeeze from the end; then carefully roll up the tube, in daily increments. In the end the tube was so short there was nothing more to squeeze. I could cry - not about the paste (I make an anchoiade to die for) but the loss of my dear dear dear grandfather. Still, it's a bit much to expect him to be alive now (*1897).
Hot tip of the day, I may have mentioned this to you before: Patum Peperium "Gentleman's Relish" (Waitrose, 71 g, £3.15). Waitrose do paste in tube too (Lusso Vita, £1.40), but it's not particularly squeezer friendly. Or, maybe, my squeezing technique isn't up to scratch.
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I did buy one of the Waitrose tubes quite recently, it didn't last too long. I was quite surprised to find that the tube itself is the same as the one I buy in France, but in a much fancier packet.
DeleteDo you occasionally take anchovies on toast up to Lady Magnon so that she can enjoy a leisurely breakfast in bed? Possibly she prefers inky squid on toast instead?
ReplyDeleteShe's much more lady-like, she has Apricot jam on Croissants every morning. She's spoilt!
DeleteShe has good taste
DeleteBut not as good as mine!
DeleteSquid in ink? Octopus? For breakfast? Sorry, Cro, but UGH!
ReplyDeleteI do occasionally eat bacon and eggs as well!
DeleteWho said that a full English , toast or cereal had to be breakfast ? Anything goes as far as I'm concerned. I've never been a breakfast eater but I make up for it at lunch and dinner !!! I might have a crumpet now and again but I need half a pound of butter on them so I restrict them !!! Love anchovies and they are a great seasoning in pasta sauces etc.and are pretty good for you { the ones in olive oil } Just go easy on the Orangina ..... not so good for you ! XXXX
ReplyDeleteI so agree with you about Crumpets, they need thick slices of butter not just a thin spreading.
DeleteAnchovies are divine - especially on pizza with some feta and very thin slices of lemon (and a generous amount of fresh o regano).
ReplyDeleteI love them however they come. I always put a few on my pizzas, they don't taste right without them.
DeleteAnchovies are a rare treat for me, because of the saltiness, but they do make a nice pizza topping. There's a Swedish dish called "Janssen's Temptation" which uses anchovies pickled in a very mild brine, layered together with matchstick potatoes and cream and cooked in the oven. It's one of my favourite Swedish dishes.
ReplyDeleteI remember the time when Orangina, in France, came in "round" bottles, which were so unusual at the time (1950's) that I brought one home as a souveneir.
My late Mother-in-law was Swedish, so I do remember the name 'Janssen's Temptation', but I had no idea what it was.
DeleteOrangina still comes in those round bottles.
Just four words to say about your choice of breakfast 'rather you than me'! X
ReplyDeleteI agree with you; I'd rather me than you as well.
DeleteI am a fan of Anchovies but unfortunately Sue isn't.
ReplyDeleteJack Spratt etc. It's much the same here.
DeleteYou can happily have my entire share of anchovies.
ReplyDeleteHappily accepted!
DeleteSorry Cro, but anchovies (or sardines) go the way of Marmite for me. Rather have a slice of toasted bread and tea (or oatmeal) for breakfast. But my dad was from England and he did like his sardines...
ReplyDeleteI love Sardines, both tinned and fresh.
DeleteI like anchovies, but would need to eat them at 5:00 AM to avoid being thrown out of the house.
ReplyDeleteMe too. My wife wouldn't be pleased if she found me tucking into a jar-full.
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