Millinery Law and Fish Sandwiches

"Wearing a hat to call at the home of a friend was a sign of respect, out of which developed the rule that a woman might not wear a hat indoors after 5 o'clock.  This was to insure that a visitor did not overstay her welcome and interfere with the supper hour of her hostess."  From 1000 hats, by Norma Shephard.

This was a rule I had never heard of and it explains why you never saw hats indoors in the evening.  Lots of feather hair adornments, barrettes, jeweled clips, but a hat was not permitted indoors after 5.  Such a crazy scene, women rushing home before 5 o'clock to take off their hats.  What would happen I wonder if you had your hat on indoors after 5?  Hat police?  Did everyone know this rule?

Well I guess it would be good if your friends left by 5 o'clock so you could have your supper.  Especially if you had been looking forward to eating fish sandwiches.

Fish Sandwiches

serves 2 people

1 large rock cod fillet
1/4 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup gluten-free all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. salt
3 tbs. olive oil
1 tbs. butter
4 slices gluten-free bread
1/4 cup homemade tartar sauce; 1/4 cup Nayonaise mixed with 1 tbs. capers, 1 tbs. diced dill pickles, juice of 1/2 a lemon, 1/2 tsp. salt
1 ripe avocado
2 small handfuls micro-greens


Pull any pin-bones out of the fish fillet.  Put the buttermilk in one shallow dish and the flour and salt into another.  Heat the olive oil and butter in a sauté pan.  Get the pan hot before you dredge the fish in first the buttermilk, then flour, then flour again.  Immediately lay the coated fish in the hot pan.  Cook on the first side until the crust is golden, about 4-5 minutes.  Turn and cook on the other side.  Remove from the pan to a board.  Cut the fillet in 1/2 before you make the sandwiches.  Lightly toast the bread and slather with the tartar sauce.  Add the fish, slices of avocado, and a handful of micro-greens.


Share your fish sandwiches with a friend, you need not wear hats. Actually you aren't allowed to...it was a rule.


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