The Fascinating Tale of the Pig-Faced Lady A Legend Worth Its Weight in Bacon
TAKE A BREAK
CARDINAL COCOA FROSTY GARLAND GENEROSITY MENORAH MITTENS PEPPERMINT PINECONES SNUGGLE UNITY YULE
Ready for a tale that really brings home the bacon? Legends dating back to the 1700s tell the story of women who were a mix of beauty and beast — pig-faced ladies! Myths about noblewomen with hog heads lasted in France, Holland, and Britain for hundreds of years. These glamorous piglets were said to roam the city streets, take carriage rides through town, and show up at fancy parties or homes to beg for money. Let’s ham it up royally and take a porky peek at the pig-faced ladies Londoners talked about for centuries. One of the earliest tales starring a woman with a boarish face was in the 17th century. A pregnant Dutch housewife reportedly had a visit from a mysterious poor woman begging for money for her children. The housewife turned her away, and the cast-off beggar cursed her unborn child to be born with a pig’s face. Stories that followed had similar themes of women cursed to look like pigs. Our swine superstar was launched into legendary status in the summer of 1815 when Londoners were celebrating the recent victory of Britain over Napoleon and France. As people packed the streets, a horse-drawn carriage caught their attention. The passenger was none other than the pig-faced lady. Rumors and interest around the event spread, and London’s growing newspaper industry took the story and ran with it.
CHICKEN CAPRESE SALAD Inspired by EatingWell.com
In the following years, the masses sought proof of these pig-faced women. One woman put out an ad in the paper offering to provide care for a woman with the affliction. Another paper ran a request from a man with a marriage proposal for the elusive “baconess.” The famous author Charles Dickens even referred to her in a book he wrote in 1861. Chances are that people born with physical
Ingredients
• 1/3 cup balsamic vinegar • 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil • 2 tsp Dijon mustard • 1 tsp ground pepper • 2 1/2 tsp honey • 3/4 tsp salt, divided • 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 2 (8-oz) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced • 8 cups coarsely chopped romaine lettuce • 1 lb grape tomatoes, halved • 1 (8-oz) container fresh small mozzarella cheese balls in water, drained • 1 cup fresh basil leaves
Directions 1. Whisk vinegar, olive oil, mustard, and pepper in a medium bowl. Transfer 6 tbsp of mixture to a smaller bowl and whisk in honey; set aside. 2. To mixture in the medium bowl, add 1/2 tsp salt, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder. Add chicken; toss to coat. Marinate for 30 minutes. 3. Coat a grill pan with oil. Over medium heat, add chicken and cook until grill marks appear on each side, about 5–7 minutes. Transfer to a plate; let stand for 5 minutes. 4. Arrange romaine, tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil on a large platter; sprinkle with salt. Top with the sliced chicken and drizzle with the honey mixture.
disabilities inspired the pig-faced lady story and reflected the sad way society treated them. The pig-faced lady likely represented London’s biggest anxieties, like class tensions and women’s limited roles. So, whether she was the embodiment of society’s fears or just a bit of hogwash, the tale of the pig-faced lady shows how the wildest legends can hog the spotlight for centuries.
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