Edwardian Grandeur and Gluten Free Spaghetti Carbonara

"My aunts were stylish Edwardian ladies who stored their laces, furs, and frou frou in a trunk, from which we extracted special items when making a hat.  We referred to this as the 'chest of grandeur.'" -anonymous quote from 1000 hats by Norma Shephard

I can imagine the goodies in that trunk.  All kinds of feathers, ribbbons, fabric flowers.  Exotic bird feathers were very popular on hats during this time.  The use of feathers for millinery led to the endangerment and extinction of many species.  A group of ladies in the late 1880's organized a protest of the use of feathers on hats that led to the establishment of the Audobon society, domestic bird sanctuaries and hunting regulations.

There is an ongoing discussion among my hat-making Milliners of Etsy colleagues about where to get feathers for hats.  Ostrich feathers can be used because they can be harvested without harming the bird.  Pheasant feathers are available from pheasant farmers.  Unless one is lucky enough to have a 'chest of grandeur'.

A 'chest of grandeur' is like a pantry.  You can extract all kinds of special items to create a dish.  Pasta is always a good pantry item, especially the gluten-free quinoa and corn flour spaghetti.  I usually also have the other ingredients needed for a spaghetti carbonara. 

Spaghetti Carbonara


serves 3-4 people


8 oz. gluten-free quinoa/corn spaghetti
4-6 slices bacon, cut into lardons
1/2 cup sorrel leaves, chopped
2 large eggs
1/4 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup freshly grated Parmagiano-Reggiano
2 tbs. chopped parsley


Cook the pasta according to package directions in boiling salted water.  Reserve 1 cup cooking water.


In a heavy bottom skillet, sauté the bacon until crispy.  Remove from the pan and drain on paper towels.  Pour off a little of the fat.  Add the sorrel leaves and cook until the leaves have melted.  Add the cooked spaghetti, cream and the eggs. Cook for 8-10 minutes adding pasta water as needed to help coat the pasta.  Sir in the cheese and parsley.


So with a well-stocked pantry or a chest of grandeur, you can create almost anything, like spaghetti carbonara or a hat.


To see the latest collection of Zazu & Violets' hats, please visit our on-line Etsy shop.