FoodNetArchive

Cassell's dictionary of cookery

1892

Page 841 · 2 recipe records on this page

Presented as published in 1892. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
a dessert-spoonful of salt, two ounces of butter, an onion, and a small bunch of herbs. "SVhen tender, press them through a coarse sieve, season with salt and pepper, and moisten with half the quantity of good soupLentil Soup. Simmer all gently together for a quarter of an hour, and serve very hot. If no soup is at hand, slice a large onion, a carrot, and a lettuce, put them into a stewpan with an ounce of butter, and let them simmer for five or six minutes ; add a pint of veal stock and a pint of lentils, and stew for half an. hour. Then add another pint of stock, and boil an hour longer. Stir in the crumbs of a roll, and when soaked, rub all through a tammy cloth, and let it boil once more, when it is ready for serving. Two ounces of well-boiled Patna rice may be served in a tureen with the soup. Time, two hours. Probable cost. Is. 2d. Sufficient for four or five persons. Lettuce. — There are two sorts of lettuces, the cabbage and the cos. They are chiefly used for salads, but may be also boUed or stewed, and served as a vegetable. They may be had all the year, but are in full season from March, to September, Lettuce, Boiled. — Wash four or five lettuces thoroughly, cut away the tliick bitter stalks, but retain all the sound leaves, whether green or white. Boil them ten or fifteen minutes in plenty of salted water, then throw them for a minute into cold water, strain, and chop them lightly. Put them into a stewpan with a pint of good white sauce. Season them with salt, pepper, and a quarter of a nutmeg, grated, and simmer gently until quite hot. Draw the saucepan to the side for a minute, and stir among the lettuces the weU-beaten yolks of two eggs. Probable cost, Is. Sufficient for four or five persons. Lettuce in Salads. — Lettuces which are to be iised for salads should be fresh and young. The thick bitter stalk should be cut off, and the outer and decayed leaves removed. The great secret in preparing lettuce for salad is to have it quite dry. In order to insure this, look the leaves over carefully. In all proba- bility the white, tender leaves at the heart of the plant will be entirely free from insects and grit. When this is the case, do not plimge them into water, as it only spoils the flavour. Any leaves, however, about which there is the slightest doubt must be scrupulously washed in two or three waters. When taken out of the water they should be well shaken, placed in a wire basket, and hung for four or five hours in an airy situation. When a basket is not at hand, the lettuce may be divided into small pieces and shaken in a dry cloth xmtil not a particle of moistm-e remains. The French are careful to break the lettuces with the fingers, instead of cutting them, as they maintain that contact "ftdth steel spoils the flavour of the salad. The sauce should never be added until the moment before serving. Probable cost, Id. each. Sufficient, a large lettuce for two or thi-ee pjersons. Stewed Lettuce