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Thank you to Bryn Gourlay, Biggar, Lanarkshire, Scotland for
the following memories of Edinburgh in the 1950s:
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Crawfords, Martins and McVitties
" I
remember devouring a vanilla slice from Edinburgh’s wonderful
bakers' shops – Crawfords, Martins or McVitties.
Unlike most modern imitations, the legendary vanilla slice was about
2 ½” x 2 ½” square by 1½” deep – two layers
of pastry hemming in a slab of glorious confectioner’s custard you
could trampoline on – topped by a thick covering of white icing.
The secret was in the solidity of the custard. If you couldn’t jump
on it, without leaving a footprint, it was too soft.
Similar to the sardine special, sold at Edinburgh's
Milk
Bars, too harsh a bite would send the custard in all directions
and bits of pastry all down your front onto the floor.
However, the premeditated 'bite and sook' technique would work every
time – expertly sucking in the custard and falling bits of pastry.
Stray bits of icing would stick to your fingers to be licked off at
your leisure." |
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Still Available Today
"The
good news is that old-style vanilla slices are still alive and well.
For all those who want to perfect their ‘bite and sook’ technique,
top-notch vanilla slices can be found in Dobbie’s garden centre’s
coffee shop, near Eskbank, in the first centre island.
As you sink your teeth into one, I guarantee you’ll become instantly
speechless." |
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Bryan Gourlay, Biggar, Lanarkshire, Scotland:
May 7, 2006 |
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