Betty Lives!

The Eating in Bed Cookbook

Barbara Byfield

1962

I just love this book.  I love the way she writes, I love the idea of indulging yourself by eating in bed, and I love, love, LOVE her illustrations.  Remember the Onion Sandwich?

I made the Ether because it was time to break open the cherries that I had put up in Brandy back in June and because I wanted an excuse to buy more Di Camillo Niagra peaches from Blue Apron. Also, it’s in the chapter called “Poleaxers” which are “nothing more or less than Eating-in-Bed’s answer to sleeping pills” of which I take many and often.

Byfield says: “I cannot believe the occasion would arise when any of the preceding recipes should fail to put you to sleep, but if you have doubts, back them up by this dessert.  I doubt you’ll be awake long enough to eat it.” Since my alternative is Ambien, that sounded about right.

Line a sherbet dish with finely crumbled  macaroons (the dry French kind, not the kosher kind) and sprinkle them with a very good brandy.  Place on top a well drained stewed half of pear (I used peach) and cover it up well with fresh sour cream (I used creme fraiche).  Flavor with much more brandy and serve cold.  I added a cherry from my brandy for good measure and let me be the first to say that this WORKS! I went to bed tingly and happy and slept like a baby.

Here is my Ether and some of the ingredients:

Yes, just like this:

Illustrations for Suleyman’s Comfort:

Just Because You Love Yourself

Final page: