Scotch Haggis.
"Fair fa' yer honest, sonsy face,
Great chieftain o' the puddin' race."
It is to be hoped the shade of Burns will forbear to haunt those who have
the temerity to appropriate the sacred name of Haggis for anything innocent
of the time-honoured liver and lights which were the sine qua non of
the great chieftain. But in Burns' time people were not haunted by the
horrors of trichinae, measly affections, &c., &c. (one must not be too
brutally plain spoken, even in what they are avoiding), as we are now, so
perhaps this practical age may risk the shade rather than the substance.
For a medium-sized haggis, then, toast a breakfastcupful oatmeal in front of
the fire, or in the oven till brown and crisp, but not burnt. Have the same
quantity of cooked brown or German lentils, and a half-teacupful onions,
chopped up and browned in a little butter. Mix all together and add 4 ozs.
chopped vegetable suet, and seasoning necessary of ketchup, black and
Jamaica popper.
It should be fairly moist; if too dry add a little stock, gravy, or extract.
Turn into greased basin and steam at least 3 hours. An almost too realistic
imitation of "liver" is contrived by substituting chopped mushrooms for the
lentils. It may also be varied by using crushed shredded wheat biscuit
crumbs in place of the oatmeal. Any "remains" will be found very toothsome,
if sliced when cold, and toasted or fried.
Rolled Oats Savoury.
Put a teacupful Scotch rolled oats in a basin, and pour over 2 cupfuls milk
in which some onion has been boiled. Allow to soak for an hour, remove
onion, add pinch salt, &c., and a beaten egg. Steam in small greased basin
for an hour. May be served with a puree of tomatoes.
Irish Stew.
Pare and slice 2 lbs. potatoes, and about 1/2 lb. each carrots, turnips,
and onions. Fry all, except the potatoes, a nice brown in a little butter
or fat. Put in layers in saucepan with 2 ozs. fat, salt, pepper, and good
stock to barely cover. Simmer very gently for about 2 hours. It may also
be baked in pie-dish.
This may be varied in many ways, as by adding layers of forcemeat, pressed
lentils, &c. Then there are the various nut meats—Meatose, Vejola, Savoury
Nut Meat, &c.—which can be used to great advantage in such a stew.
Scotch Stew.
This is a most substantial and excellent dish. Wash well 1/4 lb.
pot barley—the unpearled if it can be procured—simmer gently in 1
pint white stock for an hour, then add some carrots, scraped—and if large,
sliced lengthwise—2 or 3 small turnips cut in halves or quarters, or part
of a large one in slices, a Spanish onion sliced, or a few shallots, some
green peas, French beans, or other vegetables that may be in season; some
cauliflower in sprigs is a welcome addition. It or green peas should not be
added till 1/2 hour before serving. Simmer till all the vegetables are just
cooked, adding more stock if necessary. Serve with a border of boiled
pasties, potato balls, or chips.
Poor Man's Pie.
Pare and slice 2 to 3 lbs. potatoes. Slice 1 lb. onions; put half the
potatoes in pie-dish, then the onions, and sprinkle over 2 tablespoonfuls
tapioca and a little powdered herbs or parsley. Add the rest of the
potatoes, dust with pepper and salt, pour in water or stock to within 1/2
inch from top. Put 2 oz. butter or nut butter on the top, and bake in
moderate oven about 2 hours.
Vegetable Roast Duck.
Take a good-sized vegetable marrow, pare thinly and remove a small
wedge-shaped piece from the side. Scoop out the seeds and water, fill in
with good forcemeat, replace the wedge, brush all over with beaten egg.
Coat with crumbs, put some butter over, and bake till a nice brown, basting
frequently. Serve with fried tomatoes.
An ordinary forcemeat of crumbs, onion, parsley, egg, &c., will do, or any
of the sausage mixtures given previously.
Esau's Pottage.
The following I have had given me as the original recipe for "Esau's
pottage," but I think it must be more elaborate than that set before the
hungry hunter.
One pint lentils and 2 quarts water boiled 2-1/2 hours, then add 1/2 lb.
onions, 2 lbs. tomatoes, a little thyme and parsley. Cook all together 3/4
hour longer and add 3 oz. butter and 1 oz. grated cheese just before
serving.
Dahl.
Wash well 1/2 lb. rice and allow to swell and soften in just as much water
or stock as it will absorb. Cook 1/2 lb. red lentils with stock or water,
some grated onion, pinch herbs, little curry powder, and any other seasoning
to taste. Make a border of the rice, pile the lentils high in the centre,
and garnish with slices of hard-boiled eggs. The lentils are best steamed,
as they can thus be thoroughly cooked without becoming mushy or burnt.
Mushroom and Tomato Pie.
For a fair-sized pie get 3/4 lb. medium-sized flap mushrooms, the meadow
ones are best, and 1 lb. good firm tomatoes, remove the stalks from the
mushrooms and wipe with a piece of clean flannel dipped in oatmeal or salt.
Unless very dirty, it is best not to wash them, as that somewhat spoils the
flavour. Pare and put a layer in pie-dish, along with slices of tomato,
pared and free from seeds. Put a little bit of butter on each, dust with
salt and pepper, and repeat till the dish is heaped up. Cover with a good,
rough puff paste, and bake till the paste is ready, about an hour. No water
should be put in, but the trimmings of the mushrooms and tomatoes should be
stewed in a little water, and this gravy may be added with a funnel after
the pie is ready.
Mushroom and Tomato Patties.
For these we require some richer puff paste. Prepare and trim a small
quantity of tomatoes and mushrooms. Cut rather small and cook gently, with
a little butter and seasoning, for 10 or 15 minutes. Allow most of the
moisture to evaporate in cooking, as this is much better than mixing in
flour to absorb it. When the pastry cases are baked, fill in with the
mixture. Good either hot or cold. If baked in patty pans, the mixture
should be cold before using. Line in the tins with puff paste, half fill,
brush edges with egg or water, lay on another round of paste, press edges
together and bake.
Vol-au-Vent.
A delicious vol-au-vent is made with exactly the same filling as above.
Mushroom Pie.
Put on stewpan with a piece of "Nutter" or other good vegetable fat. Cut up
one large Spanish onion very small, add to fat and brown nicely. Cover with
water and stew along with the contents of a tin or bottle of white French
mushrooms (including the liquid), also pepper and salt to taste. Stew till
the mushrooms are tender, then take out and chop. Dish along with other
contents of saucepan, and when cool add a cup of brown bread crumbs, and one
beaten egg. Cover with puff paste or short crust and bake. Serve with
brown sauce.
Shepherd's Pie.
Mushrooms same as for mushroom pie, but covered with nicely mashed potatoes,
adding pepper and salt to the latter. Beat well and cover, stroke with a
fork, and brown in the oven.
BREAKFAST DISHES—Porridge.
"The halesome parritch, chief o' Scotia's food."
In these days of tea and white bread it is to be feared that the "halesome
parritch" is now very far removed from the honoured place of chief, and it
must be more than a coincidence which connects the physical degeneracy of
the Scottish working people with the supplanting of the porridge-pot by the
tea-pot. Even in rural districts there is a great change in the daily fare,
and there too anaemia, dyspepsia, and a host of other ills, quite unknown to
older generations, are only too common. Certainly many people have given up
porridge because they found it did not suit them—too heavy, heating,
&c.—but we must remember that all compounds of oatmeal and water are not
porridge, and the fault may lie in its preparation. It is a pity that any
one, especially children and growing youths, should be deprived of such
valuable nutriment as that supplied by oatmeal, and before giving it up, it
should be tried steamed and super-cooked. It is only by steaming that one
can have the oatmeal thoroughly cooked and dextrinised, while of a good firm
"chewable" consistency, and not only are sloppy foods indigestible, but they
give a feeling of satiety in eating, followed later by that of emptiness and
craving for food. The custom, too, of taking tea and other foods after
porridge is generally harmful.
Now for the method by which many, who have long foresworn porridge, have
become able again to relish it, and benefit by it. Make porridge in usual
way, that is, have fast boiling water, and into that sprinkle the oatmeal
smoothly, putting about twice as much oatmeal in proportion to the
water as is usual. Boil up for a few minutes, add salt to taste, and turn
into a pudding bowl or steamer. Cover closely and put in large pot with
about one inch water or in a steam cooker and steam for five to twelve
hours. Eat with stewed prunes, figs, &c., or with butter or nut
butter—almond cream butter is both delicious and wholesome. A mixture of
wheatmeal and oatmeal, or wheatmeal itself, may be found to suit some better
than oatmeal alone. I heard recently of a hopeless dyspeptic who recovered
health on a diet composed almost entirely of porridge made of three-parts
whole wheatmeal to one of oatmeal. I may add that one must be careful to
take a much smaller quantity of this firm, super-cooked porridge, as it
contains so much more nutriment in proportion to its bulk.
Porridge made with Scotch Rolled Oats also will be found easier of
digestion by some than ordinary oatmeal porridge. This also is best steamed
and super-cooked.
* * * * *
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A kernel of wheat is acknowledged to constitute a perfect food, and
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Granose Flakes, 7-1/2d. per packet.
Granose Biscuits, 7-1/2d. "
Protose. The Standard Nut Meat.
Palatable to the taste, resembling chicken in fibre and flavour, but
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"Chemically it presents the composition of animal tissue, beef or
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Protose is prepared from the best grains and nuts, and is perfectly
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Price:—1/2 lb. tin, 8d.; 1 lb., 1/-; 1-1/2 lb., 1/4
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* * * * *
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One Pound of PLASMON contains the entire nourishment of 30 pints of fresh
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Most foods are deficient in proteid, which is required to support life.
PLASMON should be added to all foods because it supplies this element.
Foods mixed with PLASMON are therefore more nourishing than any others.
OF ALL GROCERS, CHEMISTS, AND STORES.
* * * * *
FOR HEALTH, STRENGTH, AND ENERGY
[Illustration]
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Shredded Wheat
"Biscuit" and Triscuit
[Illustration]
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SHREDDED WHEAT BISCUIT (with milk) for Breakfast and Supper, or basis
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Send 1d. stamp for Sample and Illustrated Cook-Book.
SHREDDED WHEAT CO. (C. E. Ingersoll), 70, St George's House, EASTCHEAP,
E.C.
* * * * *
Most of the rissoles, toasts, &c., given in the earlier part of the book are
suited for breakfast dishes, but we may add a few more.
Savoury Omelets.
Separate the whites from the yolks of 3 eggs, or one for each person; beat
up the yolks, and add some grated onion, pepper and salt. Beat the whites
till very stiff and mix or rather fold in very lightly. Make a small piece
of butter very hot in small frying pan, pour in one-third of the mixture,
shake over gentle heat till set, easing it round the edges with a knife,
fold over and put on very hot napkin. Repeat till all are done and serve
very hot. A little hot lemon juice may be squeezed over, or a spoonful of
mushroom ketchup will give a nice relish.
Cheese Omelet
is made by mixing in grated cheese—a dessert spoonful for each egg. The
onion may be omitted if preferred without. A pinch cayenne and a little
made mustard go well with cheese.
Savoury Pancakes.
Take much the same ingredients as above, but beat yolks and whites together,
and add one tablespoonful milk, and a level dessert spoonful flour for each
egg. Mix all together some time before using. Make a bit of butter hot in
very small frying pan, pour in enough batter to just cover, and cook very
gently till set, and brown on the under side. Turn and brown on the other
side, or hold in front of hot fire or under the gas grill. Roll up and
serve very hot. Ketchup and water, or diluted extract, may be used instead
of the milk, and some finely minced parsley or pinch herbs is an
improvement.
These omelets and pancakes may be varied by adding tomatoes, mushrooms, &c.
Cook very lightly and either stir into the mixture before frying, or spread
on the top after it is cooked, and fold or roll up. A mixture of tomatoes
and mushrooms is especially good.
Mushroom Cutlets.
Remove stalks and skins from 1/2 lb. flap mushrooms. Clean, chop up, and
stew gently in a little butter. Melt 1 oz. butter in another saucepan,
stir in 1 oz. flour, and add by degrees a teacupful milk, tomato juice, or
extract. When smooth add the mushrooms and seasonings. Stir till smooth
and thick, and turn out on flat dish to cool. Shape into cutlets, egg,
crumb, and fry.
Asparagus, celery, artichokes, and many other vegetables may be used in the
composition of omelets, fritters, cutlets, &c.
If for an omelet, only a very small quantity must be used. One
tablespoonful of any of the finer cooked vegetables is enough in proportion
to two eggs. When a more substantial dish is wanted, it should take the
shape of cutlets or fritters.
Bread Fritters.
Put 6 ozs. fine bread crumbs in a basin and pour over 3 teacupfuls boiling
milk. Allow to stand for some time, then add seasoning to taste—grated
onion, parsley, ketchup, extract, &c.—and 2 beaten eggs, reserving a little
of the white for brushing. Mix and pour into buttered baking tin. Cover
and bake in good oven till set—about 1 hour. When cold, cut into nice
shapes, brush over with egg, toss in fine crumbs and fry. This may also be
served simply baked. In that case, put some bits of butter on top, and bake
a nice brown without cover.
Eggs
are, of course, invaluable in many ways besides the more familiar boiled,
poached, and scrambled.
Buttered Eggs.
Break number of eggs required in a bowl, melt a nut of butter to each egg in
saucepan, pour in the eggs, seasoning, &c., and stir one way over gentle
heat till set. About 2 minutes should do. Serve on toast or bread cutlets.
Tomato Eggs.
Have a quantity of tomato pulp made hot in frying pan, and slip in as many
eggs as required, gently, so as not to scatter. Allow to poach for about 3
minutes or till the whites are just set. Serve on toast or shredded wheat
biscuits. Another way is to cook the tomatoes, and put, with the eggs, on a
flat dish, in the oven till set. Serve on same dish, garnished with sippets
of toast or toasted triscuits.
Egg Cutlets (Mrs G. D.)
There are many different recipes for these, but the following is an
especially good one, for which I am indebted to an Edinburgh friend. Chop
very small two firmly boiled eggs, and 2 tablespoonfuls bread crumbs and the
same of grated cheese with a pinch of curry powder, pepper, and grated
nutmeg. Mix with the yolk of a raw egg. Shape into cutlets, brush over
with the white of the egg beaten up a little, toss in fine crumbs, and fry a
nice brown. Garnish with fried parsley.
Inverness Eggs.
Boil hard the number of eggs required, remove the shells, and rub each with
a little flour. Take a quantity of any of the varieties of sausage meat,
for which recipes are given, or a forcemeat, or quenelle mixture will do,
add some finely minced parsley, any other seasoning required, and a beaten
egg to bind. Mix thoroughly, flour the hands and coat each egg with the
mixture, rather less than 1/4 inch thick, and evenly, so that the shape is
retained, flour lightly and fry a nice brown. Cut in halves, and serve,
round ends up, with tomato sauce.
Toasts
of various kinds come in nicely for breakfast. They can be of ordinary
toast, fried bread, or shredded wheat biscuits. The latter are particularly
dainty, and may be prepared thus:—Put in buttered baking tin, with plenty
of butter on top of each, and place in brisk oven till crisp and
brown—about 10 minutes. Pile high with following mixture:—In an enamel
frying pan put a teaspoonful butter, and two tablespoonfuls diluted extract
or ketchup and water for each egg. When nearly boiling, break in the eggs
and stir gently round over a very moderate heat till just set. Season to
taste. A little of the sauce made hot might be first poured over the toast
or biscuits.
Bread Cutlets.
Have a number of neat pieces of bread about 1/2 inch thick. Dip in milk,
gravy, tomato juice, &c., and drain. Do not soak. Brush over with egg or
dip in batter, and fry. Serve as they are or with some savoury mince,
tomatoes, &c.
Stuffed Tomatoes.
Have number of tomatoes required, equal in size but not too large. With a
sharp knife take off a small slice from the stalk end. Scoop out a little
of the centre part, mix this with some forcemeat, or sausage mixture, beaten
egg, &c., and fill in the cavity. Put some butter on the top and bake. A
few chopped mushrooms with crumbs, egg, &c., make a delicious filling.
Cheese Fritters.
Mix 2 tablespoonfuls flour with 1/2 teacupful milk, 2 ozs. grated cheese,
teaspoonful made mustard, and the whites of 2 eggs stiffly beaten. Mix
well, and drop by small spoonfuls into hot fat. Fry a nice brown and serve
very hot.
One might go on indefinitely to detail breakfast dishes, but that is quite
unnecessary. It is a good thing, however, to have some simple,
easily-prepared food as a regular stand-by from day to day, just as porridge
is in some households, and bacon and eggs in others. Variety is very good
so far, but we are in danger of making a fetish of changes and variations.
Most of you know the story of the Scotch rustic who was quizzed by an
English tourist, who surprised him at his mid-day meal of brose. The
tourist asked him what he had for breakfast and supper respectively, and on
getting each time the laconic answer "brose," he burst out in amaze: "And do
you never tire of brose!" Whereupon the still more astonished rustic
rejoined "Wha wad tire o' their meat!" "Meat" to this happy youth was
summed up in brose, and to go without was to go unfed.
Well, I am afraid the most Spartan hausfrau among us will scarcely
attain to such an ideal of simplicity, but we might do well to have one
staple dish, either in plane of, or along with porridge. For this purpose I
know of nothing better than
Shredded Wheat Biscuits.
These have been referred to several times already in various savoury
recipes, and, indeed, the ways in which they may be used are practically
unlimited. For a
Standard Breakfast Dish,
especially in these days of "domestic" difficulty, they are exceedingly
useful. For some years now we have bought them through our grocer by the
case of 50 boxes—which, of course, brings them in much cheaper than buying
these boxes singly—and use them week in, week out, for the family
breakfast. Most people are familiar with the appearance of these, but any
who have not yet sampled them should lose no time in doing so. Fortunately,
they can now be had of all good grocers. When some of us began to use them
first we had no end of bother sending away for them to special depots.
To prepare:—Have a flat tin or ashet large enough to hold the biscuits side
by side. Spread the tin liberally with butter, lay in the biscuits, put
more butter on the top of each, and toast till nicely crisp and brown in
good oven, or under the gas grill. If the latter, turn to toast the under
side. Be very careful not to burn. If toasted on an ashet serve on same
dish. One can now have fire-proof ware which is not unsightly. There is a
very artistic white fire-proof ware which is specially suitable for using in
this way, so that besides the saving of trouble, one can have the food hot
and crisp from the oven—a rather difficult, or at least uncertain
consummation if there is much shifting from one dish to another. These
"Shredders,"
as we familiarly dub them, are most toothsome served quite simply as above,
but they may be acceptably varied with sundry relishes. A very good way is
to have a little gravy prepared by diluting half a teaspoonful "Marmite" or
a teaspoonful "Carnos" in a half teacup boiling water. Pour a very
little over each biscuit, and serve on very hot plates. Prepared thus they
may serve as toast for scrambled eggs or any savoury mixture. For
Tomato "Shredders"
fry the necessary quantity of tomatoes, free from skin and seeds, in a
little butter, with seasoning of grated onion, pepper, and salt. A little
"Marmite" or "Carnos" is a great improvement.
<b<Mushrooms
may be used in the same way, and a mixture of mushrooms and tomatoes fried
or baked and mixed together is especially good.
Green Onions
are also very good. Take 1/2 lb. green onions, trim away any tough or
withered parts, and cut up the green in 1/2 inch lengths. Put these in a
saucepan with boiling water to barely cover, a little salt, pinch sugar, and
a little mint, sage, or parsley. Cook gently for half an hour, then add the
white cut in rings, and stew till quite tender. Stir in 1/2 oz. butter, a
little ketchup or extract, and serve on prepared S.W. Biscuits.
Craigie Toast
will commend itself to those who wish for a quickly made dish. Allow one
egg and a small tomato to each person. Beat up the eggs and add the
tomatoes minced, also seasoning—a few capers or a little gherkin finely
chopped is very good—and a little milk, ketchup and water, or diluted
extract—half a teacupful to 4 eggs. Melt a good piece of butter in
saucepan, pour in the other ingredients, and mix over the fire till
thoroughly hot. Cover, and allow to cook by the side of the fire for a few
minutes, then serve piled up on crisp toasted S.W. Biscuits.
All the recipes I have given for using these biscuits are designed to have
them dry and crisp. I think they are much nicer in that way, but those who
like them soft or as a mush can have them so with even less trouble. Put a
little milk, tomato juice, extract, sauce, &c., &c., in a soup plate. Dip
in each biscuit lightly and drain, place on buttered tin or dish to warm
through. For a
Bachelor's Mush
which might suitably take the place of porridge where the preparation of
that is inconvenient, toast one or two Shredded Wheat Biscuits on a deep
plate. Pour boiling milk over and serve with sugar or stewed fruit.
With stewed fruit, also, one might use
Triscuits
toasted or plain. These are flat filamented biscuits which can be used to
advantage in many ways. They can be used in place of toast, and are very
suitable to eat with porridge or any food which may be rather mushy alone.
One might go on for pages with suggestions for using these handy biscuits,
but one has only to begin using them to find out innumerable ways of one's
own. These are not always what I would suggest. One "unreformed"
friend of mine who had begun to use them on my recommendation, told me she
put them to fry every morning, after dipping in egg or batter, among the fat
of the breakfast bacon!
Grain Granules.
This also is a very handy and sustaining breakfast dish, and needs little or
no cooking. To make a hot mush put a few spoonfuls in a plate or saucer,
and pour hot milk over. It may be eaten at once or allowed to remain in the
oven for a few minutes. If to be eaten with cream or stewed fruit, crisp
for a few minutes in the oven.
Nutgraino
is another excellent breakfast dish, composed of the whole wheat berry
blended with nuts, and is most nourishing and digestible. It may be used as
Grain Granules.
Wheatose
is a food which is recommended by eminent authorities on the food question.
It is not so quickly prepared as the foregoing foods, but with a little
forethought costs very little trouble. One teacupful should be soaked with
rather less than twice that quantity of water for 10 hours, then it should
be steamed in Queen pudding bowl, "Gourmet" boiler, &c., for 4 or 5 hours.
It might thus be put on to soak in the morning, then put on to steam in the
evening, or it might be put in covered jar in the oven all night. It can
easily be warmed up in the morning, and when cold it will be quite firm, and
may be cut in slices and fried. As a mush it should be eaten with dry toast
or triscuits and stewed fruit.
"Reform" Mould.
(Mrs W., Dundee.)
Take 1 lb. yellow lentils, wash well, and boil with as little water as
possible and any suitable seasoning, such as chopped onion, pinch herbs,
salt, pepper, and a little butter; also about 2 tablespoonfuls of tapioca
which has been soaked all night or longer. Cook very gently till the
tapioca is quite clear, and turn into wetted or oiled mould. Turn out when
quite firm and serve with any suitable garnish-cooked beetroot, &c.
NOTE.—This can be best cooked in double boiler, as it is very ready to
catch the pan.
Vegetable Mould.
Cut finely about 6 ozs. each of turnip and carrot, and 3 ozs. shallots,
and stew till just tender in stock or gravy to barely cover. Steaming is
better, as the vegetables should not be broken down. Add some cooked
cauliflower cut small, a cupful of cooked green peas or French beans, and 3
or 4 tomatoes sliced and cooked. Mix in 2 ozs. bread crumbs, and the same
of cooked savoury rice, semolina, or tapioca, and cook a little longer.
Press into a dish—an oval cake tin does very well. When cool turn out, see
that it is neat, and brush all over with glaze. Garnish with slices of
hard-boiled egg and
Tomato Aspic.
This jelly comes in useful in many ways. Take 1 tin tomatoes and rub
through a sieve. Make up with clear stock or water to 1 pint—2
breakfastcupfuls. Have 1/6-oz. Agar-agar (Vegetable Gelatine) soaked for
an hour in cold water, pour off the water, add to the tomato pulp, and put
all in enamelled saucepan along with any additional flavouring required.
Salt and white pepper will do nicely, but a blade of mace, some mixed herbs,
and a few Jamaica peppercorns may be used. Add also the whites and shells
of two eggs, unless you have a number of egg shells, in which case the
whites may be dispensed with. Whisk steadily over the fire till it boils,
then draw to the side and allow to simmer gently for 10 minutes. Pour twice
through jelly-bag. The second time run half on to a flat ashet or some
plates. Colour the rest with a little carmine and put to set also. When
used as a garnish, stamp out in pretty shapes, and arrange with the red and
amber alternating. For
Glaze
dissolve 2 tablespoonfuls of the clear tomato aspic in saucepan. Add 1/2
teaspoonful "Marmite," or 1 teaspoonful "Carnos" extract, mix thoroughly,
and boil up. Allow to get nearly cool, but not beginning to set, and then
brush over the mould with it.
Mock Calf's Foot Jelly.
Prepare according to directions given for tomato jelly, and just before
straining add amount required of a good extract. One oz. "Marmite"—or 2
teaspoonfuls—or 1-1/2 ozs. "Carnos" to a pint of tomato jelly, would be a
good proportion. Stir till dissolved. Strain and mould in the usual way.
It may of course be prepared without extract, by making a good strong stock.
Vegetables may be used or not at discretion. The liquor strained from
haricots, brown beans, or German lentils, with vegetable gelatine, in the
proportion of 1/8-oz. to the pint, makes a delicious jelly. Care must be
taken to see that none of the pulp gets through. Clarify and strain very
carefully.
Legumes en Aspic.
Get an equal quantity of red, white, and green vegetables—say young
carrots, tomatoes, turnips, cauliflower, green peas, French beans, &c. Have
each cooked "to a turn" separately, and the carrots and turnips cut into
neat shapes, cauliflower in tiny sprigs, &c. Arrange the vegetables as
neatly as possible in a mould, and fill up with tomato jelly. When set,
turn out and garnish with slices of fresh tomato and lemon.
It is not necessary to have a number of different vegetables for this dish.
Any one or two of them will do quite well. The mould might be decorated
with slices of beetroot or hard-boiled eggs.
Tomato and Egg Savoury.
Boil hard 4 eggs, cut in half, and remove yolks. Divide 4 good-sized, firm,
ripe tomatoes in halves, and scoop out some of the pulp, leaving a nice
case. Put the half whites inside the tomato shells and fill with the
following mixture:—In a saucepan melt 2 ozs. butter, add tomato pulp, 1
oz. fine crumbs, the yolks rubbed through a sieve, a teaspoonful extract,
salt, pepper, and a little lemon juice. Mix well and make quite hot. Fill
in the little cups, piling it up cone-wise, and serve on a bed of aspic.
Raised Haricot Pie.
Prepare a raised pie case (see Pastry), put in a layer of cooked haricot or
butter beans, a layer of sliced tomatoes, and one of hard-boiled eggs. Put
on the lid, which should have a hole in the centre. Bake, and with a funnel
fill in with dissolved savoury jelly. This is delicious to eat cold, and is
very useful for pic-nics. The same ingredients may also be made into small
pies or bridies.
There is an unlimited variety of these to be had. Any of the savoury
mixtures given in previous recipes for stews, sausages, &c., will do, but if
to be kept for any length of time, it must be well seasoned, the different
ingredients thoroughly blended or pounded together, and the mixture pressed
into small jars or glasses with clarified butter or pure vegetable fat
poured over. A little lemon juice and grated lemon rind will give a piquant
relish to most of these potted "meats."
Haricot Paste.
This is very good, and is a handy way of using up cold haricots, butter
beans, &c. Drain away any sauce, or add as much finely mashed potato or
cold boiled rice as will absorb it. Add seasoning to taste—mace, made
mustard, ketchup, "Extract," &c. Mix thoroughly and pass through a sieve to
remove skins, stringy portions, &c. Some tomato is always an improvement,
and if none has been cooked with the beans, put some in saucepan with a
little butter and cook for 10 minutes. Add the haricots, &c., blend
together over the fire, and pass through sieve while hot.
Lentil Paste
is made by using cooked lentils in place of the beans.
Tomato Paste.
Peel and cut small 1/2 lb. tomatoes. Put in saucepan with 1 oz. butter, a
teaspoonful grated onion, and seasoning to taste—made mustard, celery salt,
lemon juice, ketchup, "Extract," &c. Each or all of these are good. Stir
over the fire till the tomato is nearly cooked, then add one egg, and stir
round till all is smooth and thick. Add 2 tablespoonfuls bread crumbs or 1
of cold cooked rice, macaroni, &c., previously put through a sieve or
masher. Remove to side of fire and stir in 2 ozs. grated cheese. Mix very
thoroughly and pot.
Tomato Paste (2).
For immediate use the following is specially good. It may be used as a
savoury, and makes a delicious filling for sandwiches. Take some firm, ripe
tomatoes, free from skin and seeds, and cut up small. Allow 1 oz. grated
cheese to every 4 ozs. tomato—some may prefer more cheese in proportion,
but that is a fair average. Put in a strong basin with seasoning—made
mustard or pepper, ketchup, a little "Marmite" or "Carnos," &c., and pound
to a smooth paste with a wooden spoon. Pass through a sieve, and it is
ready for use.
Brawn for Pic-Nic.
Take a small teacupful lentils, haricots, or butter peas, and rub through a
sieve. Cook 2 ozs. flaked rice or semolina in a teacupful boiling stock
for about 10 minutes, stirring all the while, and then 1/2 lb. or more of
tomatoes sliced and cut small, dessertspoonful grated onion, some finely
shred cooked carrot or beetroot, and seasoning. Add the lentils to this and
mix thoroughly. Cook for a minute or so, remove from the fire, and mix in 2
finely chopped hard-boiled eggs. Press into a glass dish. It may be
covered with glaze when turned out, or decorated with aspic jelly.
Tomatoes and Mushrooms,
gently baked or steamed together, with butter and seasoning, are also very
good as a cold savoury for sandwiches; &c. If rather moist add a little
cooked rice, mashed potato, or fine crumbs. Pound together, pass through a
sieve if wished very smooth, and pot as above.
Sandwiches.
A good filling for sandwiches is to be found in any of the "potted meats"
given in the foregoing section. Amongst others are
Egg Sandwiches.
These are usually made with finely chopped hard-boiled eggs. The latter
alone may be used, or a little relish of some sort may be added—ketchup,
tomato pulp, or chutney. Mix all to a smooth paste before using, and spread
very evenly.
Egg Sandwiches (2).
Another very good way is to beat up the eggs a little, add seasoning, &c.,
put a bit of butter in saucepan, pour in the eggs, and cook gently till set.
Stir all the time. Use when cold.
Water-Cress, Mustard-and-Cress,
and all salad vegetables are suitable for sandwiches. Most people will
prefer them simply with bread and butter, so that the individual flavour may
be appreciated. If any, such as lettuce or endive, are considered rather
insipid, a little relish may be added as above. A tasty and novel flavour
is obtained by spreading a very little Marmite Extract on the bread and
butter before adding the filling proper.
Tomato Cheese Sandwiches
are among the best. The filling may be either the Tomato Paste given under
Potted Savouries, or the mixture given for Scotch Woodcock or Mock Crab.