When The Hill Team was in Charlottesville, VA, on an International Food Wine & Travel Association Press Trip, we were fortunate to visit Ash Lawn-Highland, home of James and Elizabeth Monroe. As the fifth President of the United States, he is remembered as a statesman. However, he considered himself a farmer. Monroe and neighbor Thomas Jefferson bother were concerned with the earth and producing.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNjNAb-6TNg]
If you have trouble viewing the video, click here.
James and Elizabeth Monroe entertained a lot a Ash Lawn-Highlands and the estate has a collection of recipes from letters and various documents from the Monroe family. They were converted to current measurements and were willing to share them. I’ve picked the recipe for Oyster Rolls as it sounded interesting. A video of the estate is shown below recipe.
Oyster Rolls
The top crust of a loaf of French bread is cut off and the inside scooped out. The inside is buttered and toasted in the oven. This is filled with two dozen broiled or fried oysters. Put the top crust on again. This is also buttered and toasted. This is fine for a late supper party, served with relish or pickle.
4 French style hard rolls
butter
12 oz select oysters
1/4 cup flour
1/4 cup white cornmeal
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 egg, well beaten
vegetable oil for frying
hot sauce, relish or chopped pickle
Method
Slice the top off each roll and butter the soft side of it. Hollow out the rolls to form shells to hold the oysters. Butter the inside of each roll. Toast the rolls and their tops lightly in the oven. Keep them warm.
Combine the flour, corn meal, salt and pepper. Dredge the oysters in the flour mix, then in egg, and again in the flour. Fry them in 1/4 inch hot oil in a large skillet, turning to brown both sides. Drain on paper towels. Divide the oysters evenly between the rolls. Replace the top crusts and serve immediately with hot sauce and relish as accompaniments.
Serves 4.
You may want to visit Ash Lawn-Highland when you are near Charlottesville.
1000 James Monroe Parkway, Charlottesville, VA 22902. Phone 434 293 8000
http://www.ashlawnhighland.org/
The tour is well worth while.
Big Blend Magazine
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