The sandwich, that humble lunchtime staple, appears with surprising frequency in the James Bond adventures. Take the short story ‘For Your Eyes Only’ (1960), in which two types of sandwich are consumed. At one point, outside Montreal, James Bond makes himself some smoked ham sandwiches, while earlier in the story, Mrs Havelock, whose cruel murder is avenged by her daughter Judy, takes a Patum Peperium sandwich. Patum Peperium, or ‘The Gentleman’s Relish’, is anchovy paste. You can still buy it today, but homemade anchovy paste is otherwise quick and simple to prepare.
For several sandwiches
- 50g drained anchovy fillets
- 1 tbsp breadcrumbs
- 1 tbsp milk
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Pinch of pepper
- Slices of bread
- Cucumber
- Butter (optional)
Crush the anchovy fillets using a pestle and mortar or with a fork. Add the breadcrumbs, olive oil, milk and pepper and mix well until you have a smooth paste. You’re now ready to assemble your sandwich. In keeping with the genteel environment of Content, the Havelocks’ Jamaican home, I recommend cutting the crusts off the bread. I also suggest the addition of cucumber (peeled, of course) to balance the saltiness of the paste, which should be applied thinly.
