Salmon, mackerel, etc., have it distributed
throughout the body, which gives a higher and richer flavor,
and at the same time tends to preserve the fish. People
who do not live near the seashore do not get that delicious
flavor which fish just caught have. If the fish is kept on ice
until used, it will retain much of its freshness ; let it once
get heated and nothing will bring back the delicate flavor.
Fresh fish will be firm, and the skin and scales bright.
When fish looks dim and limp, do not buy it. Fish should
104 MISS PARLOA'S NEW COOK BOOK.
be washed quickly in only one {cold) water, and should not
be allowed to stand in it. If it is cut up before cooking,
wash while whole, else much of the flavor will be lost. For
frying, the fat should be deep enough to cover the article, and
yet have it float from the bottom. Unless one cooks great
quantities of fish in this way it is not necessary to have a
separate pot of fat for this kind of frying. The same pot,
with proper care, will answer for chops, cutlets, muffins,
potatoes, croquettes, etc. All the cold fish left from any
mode of cooking can be utilized in making delicious salads,
croquettes, and escallops.
Boiled Fish.
A general rule for boiling fish, which will hold good for all
kinds, and thus save a great deal of time and space, is this ;
Any fresh fish weighing between four and six pounds should
be first washed in cold water and then put into boiling water
enough to cover it, and containing one table-spoonful of salt.
Simmer gently thirty minutes ; then take up. A fish kettle is
a great convenience, and it can be used also for boiling
hams. When you do not have a fish kettle, keep a piece of
strong white cotton cloth in which pin the fish before putting
into the boiling water. This will hold it in shape. Hard
boiling will break the fish, and, of course, there will be great
waste, besides the dish's not looking so handsome and appe-
tizing. There should be a gentle bubling of the water, and
nothing more, all the time the fish is in it. A fish weighing
more than six pounds should cook five minutes longer for
every additional two pounds. Boiled fish can be served with
a great variety of sauces. After you have learned to make
them (which is a simple matter) , if you cannot get a variety
of fish you will not miss it particularly, the sauce and mode of
serving doing much to change the whole character of the dish.
Many people put a table -spoonful of vinegar in the water in
FISH. 105
which the fish is boiled. The fish flakes a little more readily
for it. Small fish, like trout, require from four to eight
minutes to cook. They are, however, much better baked,
broiled or fried.
Court-Bouillon .
This preparation gives boiled fish a better flavor than
cooking in clear water does. Many cooks use wine in it,
but there is no necessity for it. Four quarts of water, one
onion, one slice of carrot, two cloves, two table-spoonfuls of
salt, one teaspoonful of pepper, one table-spoonful of vinegar,
the juice of half a lemon and a bouquet of sweet herbs✪ Court-Bouillon are
used. Tie the onion, carrot, cloves and herbs in a piece of
muslin, and put in the water with the other ingredients.
Cover, and boil slowly for one hour. Then put in the fish
and cook as directed for plain boiling.
Boiled Cod with Lobster Sauce.
Page 41 · 1 recipe record on this page
Presented as published in 1880. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
AI-modernized reading of the original text
Salmon, mackerel, etc., have it distributed throughout the body, which gives a higher and richer flavor, and at the same time tends to preserve the fish. People who do not live near the seashore do not get that delicious flavor which fish just caught have. If the fish is kept on ice until used, it will retain much of its freshness ; let it once get heated and nothing will bring back the delicate flavor. Fresh fish will be firm, and the skin and scales bright. When fish looks dim and limp, do not buy it. Fish should
be washed quickly in only one cold water, and should not be allowed to stand in it. If it is cut up before cooking, wash while whole, else much of the flavor will be lost. For frying, the fat should be deep enough to cover the article, and yet have it float from the bottom. Unless one cooks great quantities of fish in this way it is not necessary to have a separate pot of fat for this kind of frying. The same pot, with proper care, will answer for chops, cutlets, muffins, potatoes, croquettes, etc. All the cold fish left from any mode of cooking can be utilized in making delicious salads, croquettes, and escallops.
Boiled Fish.
A general rule for boiling fish, which will hold good for all kinds, and thus save a great deal of time and space, is this ; Any fresh fish weighing between four and six pounds should be first washed in cold water and then put into boiling water enough to cover it, and containing one table-spoonful of salt. Simmer gently thirty minutes ; then take up. A fish kettle is a great convenience, and it can be used also for boiling hams. When you do not have a fish kettle, keep a piece of strong white cotton cloth in which pin the fish before putting into the boiling water. This will hold it in shape. Hard boiling will break the fish, and, of course, there will be great waste, besides the dish's not looking so handsome and appetizing. There should be a gentle bubling of the water, and nothing more, all the time the fish is in it. A fish weighing more than six pounds should cook five minutes longer for every additional two pounds. Boiled fish can be served with a great variety of sauces. After you have learned to make them (which is a simple matter) , if you cannot get a variety of fish you will not miss it particularly, the sauce and mode of serving doing much to change the whole character of the dish. Many people put a table -spoonful of vinegar in the water in
which the fish is boiled. The fish flakes a little more readily for it. Small fish, like trout, require from four to eight minutes to cook. They are, however, much better baked, broiled or fried.
Court-Bouillon . This preparation gives boiled fish a better flavor than cooking in clear water does. Many cooks use wine in it, but there is no necessity for it. Four quarts of water, one onion, one slice of carrot, two cloves, two table-spoonfuls of salt, one teaspoonful of pepper, one table-spoonful of vinegar, the juice of half a lemon and a bouquet of sweet herbs are used. Tie the onion, carrot, cloves and herbs in a piece of muslin, and put in the water with the other ingredients. Cover, and boil slowly for one hour. Then put in the fish and cook as directed for plain boiling.
Boiled Cod with Lobster Sauce.
Records on this page
Court-Bouillon