Wednesday 26 June 2013

Imperial pineapple desserts

“Eating with Emperors: 150 years of dining with Emperors, Kings, Queens . . . and the occasional Maharajah” by Jake Smith 2009 details the circumstances and menus of Imperial luncheons and dinner parties.
I came across this exclusive publication while dining at the Arnott’s Bakehouse Restaurant, Morpeth NSW, where they have a wonderful collection of cook books for diners to browse.
An Imperial Court of Vienna menu, dated 11 March 1869, for a dinner hosted by their Imperial and Royal Apostolic Majesties Emperor Franz-Josef I and Empress Elisabeth of Austria-Hungary at the Hofburg Palace, Vienna included Gelée aux ananas  (Pineapple Jelly) for dessert. This followed dishes including pureed foie gras, beef casseroled in beer, chicken consommé garnished with savoury egg custard pieces and spit roasted roebuck kidney.

Guests at an Elizabeth II Queen of the United Kingdom luncheon hosted at Buckingham Palace in 23 June 1976 in honour of His Excellency Valéry Giscard d’Estaing of France were served Glace a l’Ananas (Pineapple Sorbet) and biscuits. Digestive Biscuits ? Monte Carlos ? Iced Vo Vos ? One can only wonder, Anne.

2 comments:

  1. I love the story of how Queensland sent the Queen a gazillion (approx.!) tins of pineapple as a wedding present. Maybe she was still using it up?

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  2. That is AMAZING Vicki, who would have thought of such a thing!!!! Thanks for letting us know ! Anne

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