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Box of Pullman Loaf

George Pullman was a fervent industrialist and a train man. He created the sleeping car, the hotel car, and eventually the dining car. Some say the Pullman sandwich loaf was designed after his cars. Others say it was designed to fit into the cube-shaped train shelves. Either way, this is an easy dish we would love to eat for breakfast—on the train, of course. This recipe makes one serving; use up the rest of the Pullman loaf making more boxes.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    Serves 1

Ingredients

1 unsliced loaf day-old Pullman (sandwich) bread (works best if the bread is cold)
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 smoked mackerel fillet or a few slices smoked salmon
3 eggs
2 tablespoons whipping cream (35 percent butterfat)
Salt and pepper
1 tablespoon crème fraîche or sour cream
1 teaspoon chopped fresh chives
Few shavings fresh horseradish
Caviar for garnish (optional)

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Basically, what you are doing here is building a big box of buttered bread, a little home for your eggs. Start by removing a slice about 2 inches (5 cm) thick from the loaf. Cut off the crusts from the slice, then remove its core by cutting a square hole in the middle. Keep in mind that the hole has to be big enough to contain three scrambled eggs and the delicious fish.

    Step 2

    Preheat the oven on a low setting. Melt 1 tablespoon of the butter in a nonstick frying pan—or better, use a breakfast griddle—over low heat and slowly color the box on all sides. Put the box on a plate along with the fish and place the plate in the oven to heat the fish and keep the box warm.

    Step 3

    In a small bowl, whisk together the eggs, cream, and a little salt and pepper. Scramble the eggs over low heat in the remaining butter in the same pan (or a new pan if you used a griddle for the bread). When they are almost set, nonchalantly add the warm pieces of fish. Heat the ensemble through.

    Step 4

    Place the ensemble in the box. Garnish with the crème fraîche, chives, and horseradish. We also find a teaspoon of caviar to be a nice touch.

Cookbook cover of The Art of Living According to Joe Beef: A Cookbook of Sorts by Frédéric Morin, David McMillan, and Meredith Erickson.
Reprinted with permission from The Art of Living According to Joe Beef by Frédéric Morin, David McMillan & Meredith Erickson, copyright © 2011. Published by Ten Speed Press, a division of Random House, Inc.
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