FoodNetArchive

Cookery for every household

1914

Page 1043

Presented as published in 1914. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
the legs and wings the first day unless they are required. Insert the fork in the centre over the ridge of the breast bone, and cut the breast in thin parallel slices, commencing at the wing and con- tinuing until the breast bone is reached. Then slip the knife under and detach them from the bone. Remove the legs and wings in the same way as from a fowl. If there is sage and onion farce, inquire of each one if a small helping is agreeable, or hand it round separately. Roast Duck.— Carve in the same way as roast goose. Pigeon. — The usual plan to adopt is to cut the bird right through the middle into two equal parts. If these are too large, they may be cut through again into quarters. Partridge and Grouse. — These may either be cut n halves or quarters the same way as a pigeon, or cut in three portions in the following manner : Cut off the leg and the wing with a small portion of the breast adhering to make two portions, and then the upper part of the breast, separated from the carcase for a third. Small birds, such as snipe, quail, ortolan, &c., may either be served whole, or else cut in two if very small portions are desired. FISH A silver or plated fish knife and fork, or fish carvers, ought to be used for serving fish. A steel knife should never be used, as it would spoil the delicate flavour of the fish. Care should be taken to break the flakes no more than is necessary, and to serve as little bone as possible. Cod or Salmon. — The fish should be placed on the dish with the thick part of the back towards the further side. Remove the skin from one side, and make an incision the whole length of the fish, as indicated by dotted lines. Then carve in fairly thick slices right through to the centre bone. Slip the knife underneath and detach them. When the top part is finished, remove the bone, and carve the lower portion in the same manner. 662 COOKERY FOR EVERY HOUSEHOLD Turbot and Brill are both served in the same fish right down to the back bone. Commence at the head end, and continue to the tail. Then cut slices across from the centre towards the sides of the fish, and detach them from the bone. Part of the fins and a little of the gelatinous skin should be served with each portion. Sole. — Cut through the whole length of the thick part, and then raise the fillet from each side. Then remove the bone and separate the other side into two fillets. Plaice. — If large, carve in the same way as a turbot ; if small, according to directions given for sole. Small fish are either served whole or cut in two pieces. MENUS AND THEIR CONSTRUCTION When giving a dinner or luncheon, the first thing one does is to draw out the menu or bill of fare. Thi3 is not always such an easy task as it would appear, especially if the meal has to consist of several courses ; and it requires some skill and experience to do it properly. A well-balanced and suitably chosen menu will add considerably to the success and popularity of a meal ; while one that is badly planned will spoil the best served repast. It is therefore well worth while to give a due amount of thought to the selection of the dishes, and whether the meal has to be a simple one, or of a more important and formal character, there are several important points to bear in mind in its arrangement.