Chapter 427 The Queen’s Table

Chapter 427 The Queen’s Table

UK, Buckingham Palace.

Queen Victoria looked through the dinner menu, forgetting that the variety of dishes was lackluster. What depressed her most was that the names of the dishes, the ingredients, the cooking methods, and the names of each serving process were all written in French.

There was even a moment when Victoria felt that the British did not have their own writing.

In fact, it was very common among European courts to learn French and eat French food. But even so, almost every country has evolved its own style.

For example, Czech chefs were used to serve French dishes in the Austrian court, and even the word Austrian kitchen lingo can often be replaced by the Czech word.

The only one who has learned it so thoroughly like the British is probably due to the deep-seated inferiority complex of being a pirate.

There are only two kinds of soup, chicken porridge soup and thinner summer vegetable soup (actually seasonal vegetable soup). There seems to be no choice. Victoria likes to eat meat, so she chose the thinner summer vegetable soup because she was afraid Too greasy to eat.

Looking up at the stars When Victoria heard about this dish for the first time, she was fascinated by its artistic conception.

Then she saw a plate of dead fish heads staring at her with wide eyes. At that moment, the word "die with eyes open" came to Victoria's mind.

She could only sigh. It seemed that the queen was not that easy to be.

Next, there were three alternative dishes: steak, braised capon, and roast lamb. Victoria chose grilled sirloin steak.

The way sirloin steak was cooked at that time was slightly different from today, but it was still done by passing a spit through the center of the roast and then rotating it to ensure even heating.

Meanwhile, set a plate full of clean beef tallow aside.

While grilling, use a brush dipped in beef tallow to constantly moisten the grilled meat every fifteen minutes. The entire baking time usually takes about four hours.

Then remove the barbecue, prepare the sauce, sprinkle with flour and salt, and moisten it with butter. After the entire process is completed, put it on the grill and continue baking until it changes color and the butter expands. Then remove the barbecue, slice it, plate it, and serve.

In fact, there is another allusion to sirloin steak.

It is said that King Henry VIII of England, the prototype of the sin of gluttony, once suddenly pulled out his sword while dining, pointed to a piece of meat on the table and said.

"I will make you Sir Siren."

This is the famous Henry VIII confinement incident. This person was mentioned in previous documents as the last British monarch to land in France.

Then came the side dishes.

There were more choices for side dishes, including various salads, pies, fish fillets, and chicken dishes. Then Victoria saw grilled quail. Because Albert said she looked like a quail, Victoria didn't eat quail.

But then she saw the dish of grilled quail on the menu, which made her feel a little annoyed.

"What's going on?" she asked the chef slightly unhappy.

"It can be replaced with ham from the German region, or egg rolls," the chef said casually, seemingly not hearing the Queen's tone.

Victoria was very dissatisfied with the chef's attitude. She felt that she was being ignored and that her doting husband was not around.

Ever since, Victoria threw the menu to the chef.

"Why don't you change it quickly?!"

The latter did not dare to say anything and had to run away in a hurry.

In fact, Germany and Italy were just geographical terms at this time.

Victoria's life in England was not a happy one, and people were both curious and afraid of her.

This is mainly due to the glorious records left by the queens in British history.

Matilda plunged Britain into civil war, "Bloody Mary" is synonymous with witches in English, a nightmare for Protestants, a frequent fixture in horror stories, and the indebted Queen Elizabeth I.

"Vase Mary" was different from the previous Mary. She did nothing during her reign. Her favorite thing to do every day was to clean the porcelain she bought from the East, so she was also called "Vase Mary".

Queen Anne is one of the longest-reigning queens and the founder of Best Friends.

But in fact, Queen Matilda is a legendary figure. She was able to hold on to the British throne in extremely unfavorable circumstances. It was not easy to prevent the inheritance from being cut off. Moreover, it was not her who instigated the civil war, but her expression. elder brother.

"Bloody Mary" suppressed rebellions many times, reformed the economy, and prevented the breakup of Britain.

Elizabeth I was the founder of Britain's ability to dominate the world. During her reign, she carried out drastic reforms, selected talents, practiced frugality, and fought against corruption.

(Carrying out reforms, selecting talents, practicing frugality, and fighting corruption have been talked about by countless people in power, and countless people have tried, but only a few have succeeded in the end, which shows that their abilities are by no means ordinary. )

As a decision-maker, Elizabeth I can be said to be quite successful. At that time, the British economy was prosperous, literature was brilliant, and the Spanish Armada was defeated militarily.

This was mainly because Britain was a patriarchal society at the time, and they needed to demonize female rulers to maintain social order.

In addition, the reason why Victoria became the Queen of England but did not inherit the throne of Hanover was because the "Salic Law" in the German region stipulated that women could not govern the country.

When Victoria first came to the throne, her reputation was pretty good, especially after that "balcony speech". Even the maids around her felt that she could become a great queen.

But Victoria soon understood that those politicians did not need a queen who told them what to do, but wanted a puppet that could be manipulated at will. Palmerston was like this, so was the Viscount of Melbourne, so was John Russell, so was Robert. Peele even more so.

So Victoria chose a politically enthusiastic husband who didn't mind sharing the power in her hands. On the one hand, Victoria needed someone to speak out for her about her political goals, and on the other hand, she really loved Prince Albert.

Victoria was well aware of Britain's internal and external troubles at this time, so she wanted to break the deadlock. Dedicating herself to the country, Victoria did not feel that she had the courage and determination of Elizabeth I.

But taking a risk to make Britain stronger, she felt she could.

Britain and France were the two most powerful colonial powers in the world at this time, but it was not yet time for them to decide the outcome.

Because at this time Britain and France still had a common enemy - the Holy Alliance. Russia, the furry bear, was Britain's biggest enemy now.

Russia has vast land and a huge population, which Britain does not have.

If Russia really enters the ocean one day, will Britain still be able to remain secure as its hegemon?

It is impossible to turn a colony into a native country. The United States is the best example. How much manpower and material resources did Britain invest in developing the North American colonies, but what was the final outcome?

A betrayal, nothing more.

The British at that time even sadly lamented that "from now on, Britain will no longer be a big country and a respected nation."

In fact, it was the British's fear of losing their hegemony. However, the French Revolution broke out, which could be regarded as saving Britain in disguise.