Looking over some of my old cook books really makes you feel how different the is food today, and also how much work was put into these preparations. Dishes were not individual portions but to be presented on platter, then cut to be served. These picture are from "Le Livre de Cuisine" by Gouffe, written in 1867. A student of Careme for seven years, Gouffe wrote one of the first books that gives precise information in term of quantities of ingredients, cooking times and personal experience. In the "Grande matelote pour Releve" picture above (meaning fish cooked in red wine), Gouffe explains over two pages every single detail of cooking and most interesting all the detail for plating. The cooked fish is place in three layers to create three steps in the plating. He mentions that smaller pieces of fish should be in the center to keep a perfect symmetry on the outside. These fish are then covered with crayfish, mushroom, poached egg, and crouton in a very specific order. It also mentions that no skewer were used to put the pieces together.
At the end of the recipe there was a personal note saying:
It is also an obligation for me to add, that the well established chef who add served this Matelote and many other exceptional dishes on every level, join to the superiority of his talent, the most agreeable modesty, a politeness and a character who have made him appreciated and honored by the people who have the pleasure of he working with him.
ESTOU SEM PALAVRAS
CHEHF
TA~OSOMENTEPURAESIMPLESMENTEOACASOCASAHDO
IS TIME
TO REFLEXACTIONISTE
O ALMOÇO
NO BOUTIQUE
TAH INDO MUITO BEM
GRAÇAS A DEUS
E A MUITA
COLABORAÇA~O
HENRIQUE DE YEZ SIR
SARA CAIÇARA MINHA SUBURBANA FAVORITA
PRESENTE
TAMBEM
AS MARYS
DE VO^A MARY
BEHTH
SEMPRE DE ONÇAS
VERDES E PINKS
TEM HUMA NOHVA RUIVA NO PEDAHÇO
FIQUEI DE QUEIJO CAIHDO
CET SOIR
SARDINES
CARROTES
CRUSTACEE
FLE^UR DE COURGETTE
E SURPRESAS
QUANDO SOUBE QUEM EHRA
A FO^FA
TO^DA TATUAHDA
AHDORO
MININAS TATUAHDAS
RO^MULO
ADOREI A SUGESTA~O
O COUVE FLO^R
FICOU LINDA
TO^DO DE BRANCO
YELLOW DUSTY
E ATUM
MEU ATUAL FAVORIHTO
DE SLOW DOWN
MINIHNO
ADOREI
OUTRO DIHA
MUITO CHIHC
O SOM
DO FO^FO
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