Cherish your relish! Currently out of production, the original gentlemen's relish aka "Patum Peperium" was first created in 1828 and was described in Mrs Beeton's Book Of Household Management as being "an excellent bonne bouche which enables gentlemen at wine parties to enjoy their port with redoubled gusto". There are rumours of the relish making a comeback due to popular demand. In the meantime, you can make your own version by following this recipe:
200 grams of drained, chopped anchovies
150 grams of quality salted butter
2 tablespoons of fresh, white breadcrumbs
1 tablespoon of drained, chopped capers
A few twists of freshly ground black pepper
Roughly half a teaspoon each of the following (to taste);
Ground ginger
Ground cinnamon (to taste)
Ground nutmeg (to taste)
Ground mace (to taste)
1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper (to taste)
Spread thinly on buttered toast or add for flavour to dishes such as soups, stews and pies. Bursting with umami and savoury notes.
Photo courtesy of "Dabbler" via Wikipedia
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