>>5733527I kept my dinner relatively simple. Toast, some omelettes mixed with pork, and a handful of vegetables. Wholesome enough for now.
I finally finished writing the letter. My parents are not the jittery type, but I still mention contingencies should the situation worsens - the troupe has plans to schedule tours to cities less severely impacted economically should the need arises, and my savings is more than enough to sustain me for the rest of the year. My contacts in Blackwing can get me a tailoring job to supplement the potential loss of income if need be.
It’s been a while since I could follow the recipe of cookbooks precisely. Many times the ingredients had to substituted due to cost or unavailability, but not tonight.
First, the bread. Sliced thickly, and cut into squares. Crusts must be removed. Toast until it reaches a brown color - dark or light, that is up to the preference of the cook. (I prefer the shade of honey brown.)
For the eggs, they are beaten until it turns into a liquid of consistent yellow color. Straining them is a good method of ensuring the egg whites and yolk are combined properly. A few tablespoons of sugar and rosewater are added and whisked afterwards. (Three or two each is usually enough for most folks. And me.)
This mixture will be then poured into a container. It should be wide enough to accommodate the bread but not to the point the eggs cannot coat all of the bottom. There is many options one could choose regarding the length of time for the toasted squares to soak, but I prefer twenty minutes - ten on each side. It will be sodden enough that it won’t burn too easily in the pan, but firm enough it doesn’t disintegrate when you try to flip it over.
As for the pan, add butter and lard to it as it heats up. Lard is a particular important ingredient here - it will raise the smoke point of butter, giving more opportunities for the cook to prevent burning. Once the layer of fat is boiling, the soaked bread are gently added into the pan. It should take three to five minutes of frying, although it should be flipped multiple times during those minutes. Seconds matter here, as toast can turn from edible to being burnt in a blink of an eye.
