10 Comments

I'm not entirely sure, but I don't think I knew the term "toast soldiers" when I was growing up (in Cape Town, South Africa). Where exactly I picked it up is a mystery - I'll be interested to see what others reply, because now I am wondering if it is just an Australianism, or more widely spread.

PS I won't be able to make the book club on Friday because I'll be at work. I haven't read the book yet, so I'll be interested to hear what others think of the read.

PPS Thank you for your support at last week's launch - it was very much appreciated!

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I think it’s very likely that ‘toast soldiers’ is an English term and probably not universal at all.

It was exciting to attend your book launch. I’ve never been to one before and it was fun.

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I used the book Wonder with a reading class and it was a big success; it's a beautiful story. Then the kids made something inspired by the book. I made a sugar pyramid (at least my craftsman did!!) And I was sad to ditch that prop when I retired.

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You are lucky to have a craftsman handy! I really must read Wonder (and all the other books people have lent me or given to me) but I keep getting new books from the library.

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Hello and thank you for sharing Granny Chic! I am firm supporter of simple recipes, especially a soft boiled egg (or medium, or hard- eggs are deeply personal!) I’d say that those with British heritage call them toast soldiers here in Canada, but it isn’t widespread. I used that name when I saw my French friend dipping torn baguette into his egg and he thought that was hilarious! x Lindsay

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Hello Lindsay! I was possibly being a tiny bit provocative with my comments about toast soldiers, but I love having conversations about food, so I’m not sorry.

Thanks so much for taking the time to weigh in. I love your newsletter and podcast. Xx

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I have heard of toast soldiers, though undoubtedly it’s because of my love of British mysteries and TV. My Scottish mother never made them, at least that I can recall, though soft and poached eggs were on the menu.

I find that it’s the basics of cooking that sometimes baffle me the most. I don’t like runny eggs at all, nor the green rings and rubbery yolks that occur when you boil them too long, yet I’m forever having to google methods for making hard boiled eggs to my liking--and still get it wrong!

Looking forward to the book club!

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Eggs are tricky things to get just right. Have you tried devilled eggs? They’re yummy.

Speak soon!

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Ha ha, never in my life have I ever heard the phrase "toast soldiers." That is a new one for me. It never even occurred to me to eat toast in strips. I can always look forward to new terms when I read your work, Margaret, and I love them!

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That's so funny. As soon as I pressed publish, I had a sneaking feeling that it was just a British thing. According to the internet (you knew I'd have to look it up, didn't you?) the term was popularised in 1965 in a series of commercials to promote eggs. The reason you cut them into strips is so you can dip them straight into the runny yolk, otherwise they don't fit.

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