The bill of fare following comprises a double service ; except in the courses composed of terrapin and canvas- backs, when it would be gastronomic heresy to suggest the choice of any other dish. When either of these dainties is not available, or is not desired, they can be replaced by any chosen entree or roast. A mayonnaise sauce should be upon the table, with the choicest white celery, to use with canvas- back. Directions are given elsewhere for carving ducks, but a few words here will not be out of place. When the abun- dance of duck permits half the breast to be served to each guest, the matter is simple ; but when the supply is limited, the carving becomes a fine art : then several deep cuts should be quickly made on each side of the breast, down to the bone, but no slice removed until all are cut, for a point is made of serving canvas-back very hot ; the small bit of flesh called the " oyster " in poultry, which lies in a Httle hollow of the back-bone, between the leg and the wing, is considered by epicures the most delicious morsel in the entire bird. The use of melon at an early stage of the dinner is of course optional ; but either pine-apple iced and without sugar, cantelope, or watermelon is refreshing after a heavy soup or fish ; and both the latter make delicious salads, either with plain salad-dressing or with mayonnaise, as also does choice Florida grape fruit. In many of the larger cities the tropical fruit called the alligator pear is sold : it is a favorite salad in the East and West Indies, combined with mayonnaise ; and is also eaten with lime-juice or wine and sugar at dessert. 128 PRACTICAL AMERICAN COOKERY. BILL OF FARE FOR AMERICAN DINNER. Sherry and Madeira. Blue Points, or Little Neck Clams on the half-shell. Lemon, brown bread and butter. Cream of Fresh Mushrooms. Terrapin Clear Soup. Cantalope or Pineapple. Broiled Pompano, Cucumber Sauce. Chateau Yquem. Fresh Salmon, Shrimp Sauce. Bermuda Potatoes. Olives. Salted Almonds. Cheese Straws. Claret. Breast of Spring Chicken with Cauliflower, HoUandaise Sauce. Cold Boned Squabs with Orange Salad. Madeira. Chambertin. Champagne. Maryland Terrapin. Champagne Ice. ■ Canvas-back Ducks, Forest City Sauce. Celery. Fried Hominy. Lettuce Salad with Roquefort Cheese, Broiled Fresh Mushrooms. Asparagus with Mayonnaise. Cabinet Pudding with Rum Jelly. DESSERT. Cream Meringues. Candied Pineapple. Philadelphia Ice Cream with Canton Ginger. Nuts. Crystallized Fruits. Cheese. Black Coffee. Cordials. Although the double course is given in all these bills of fare, it is neither imperative nor advisable except for large dinners : a simple, well-chosen menu, of a few favorite dishes, one or two delicate wines when they are desired, or, for a family dinner, cider or some light malt beverage, will often prove more acceptable than an elaborate repast. An excellent little dinner, possible at any season, may be ar- ranged somewhat as follows ; several dishes are named for each course, so that the choice may be made of such dishes as the market affords. Wines are named ; but, as already indicated, their use is entirely a matter of choice. FLOWERS, BILLS OF FARE, AND WINES. 1 29 BILL OF FARE. Chateau Yquem, 1858. Chateau Larose, 1858. Verze- NAYB SEC. Oysters or Clams on the half-shell, very small.

AI-modernized reading of the original text

The bill of fare following comprises a double service ; except in the courses composed of terrapin and canvasbacks, when it would be gastronomic heresy to suggest the choice of any other dish. When either of these dainties is not available, or is not desired, they can be replaced by any chosen entree or roast. A mayonnaise sauce should be upon the table, with the choicest white celery, to use with canvasback. Directions are given elsewhere for carving ducks, but a few words here will not be out of place. When the abundance of duck permits half the breast to be served to each guest, the matter is simple ; but when the supply is limited, the carving becomes a fine art : then several deep cuts should be quickly made on each side of the breast, down to the bone, but no slice removed until all are cut, for a point is made of serving canvas-back very hot ; the small bit of flesh called the " oyster " in poultry, which lies in a little hollow of the back-bone, between the leg and the wing, is considered by epicures the most delicious morsel in the entire bird. The use of melon at an early stage of the dinner is of course optional ; but either pine-apple iced and without sugar, cantelope, or watermelon is refreshing after a heavy soup or fish ; and both the latter make delicious salads, either with plain salad-dressing or with mayonnaise, as also does choice Florida grape fruit. In many of the larger cities the tropical fruit called the alligator pear is sold : it is a favorite salad in the East and West Indies, combined with mayonnaise ; and is also eaten with lime-juice or wine and sugar at dessert. BILL OF FARE FOR AMERICAN DINNER. Sherry and Madeira. Blue Points, or Little Neck Clams on the half-shell. Lemon, brown bread and butter. Cream of Fresh Mushrooms. Terrapin Clear Soup. Cantalope or Pineapple. Broiled Pompano, Cucumber Sauce. Chateau Yquem. Fresh Salmon, Shrimp Sauce. Bermuda Potatoes. Olives. Salted Almonds. Cheese Straws. Claret. Breast of Spring Chicken with Cauliflower, Hollandaise Sauce. Cold Boned Squabs with Orange Salad. Madeira. Chambertin. Champagne. Maryland Terrapin. Champagne Ice. ■ Canvas-back Ducks, Forest City Sauce. Celery. Fried Hominy. Lettuce Salad with Roquefort Cheese, Broiled Fresh Mushrooms. Asparagus with Mayonnaise. Cabinet Pudding with Rum Jelly. Cream Meringues. Candied Pineapple. Philadelphia Ice Cream with Canton Ginger. Nuts. Crystallized Fruits. Cheese. Black Coffee. Cordials. Although the double course is given in all these bills of fare, it is neither imperative nor advisable except for large dinners : a simple, well-chosen menu, of a few favorite dishes, one or two delicate wines when they are desired, or, for a family dinner, cider or some light malt beverage, will often prove more acceptable than an elaborate repast. An excellent little dinner, possible at any season, may be arranged somewhat as follows ; several dishes are named for each course, so that the choice may be made of such dishes as the market affords. Wines are named ; but, as already indicated, their use is entirely a matter of choice. BILL OF FARE. Chateau Yquem, Chateau Larose, Verze- NAYE SEC. Oysters or Clams on the half-shell, very small.

Miss Corson's practical American cookery and household management