FoodNet

The spirit of cookery

1895

Page 297 · 2 recipe records on this page

Presented as published in 1895. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
The pig is, like the rabbit, one of the most prolific animals. The French Marshal Vauban wrote a treatise on pigs, humorously entitled ‘ Ma Cochonnerie,’ in which he calcu- lated the possible posterity of a sow to be, after twelve years, more than 6,000,000 of porkers. The various parts of the pig are more frequently used in the kitchen than those of other animals, as is proved by the perusal of any cookery-book, and as can be seen in many kitchens where cookery is carried on by mere tradition, without any written or printed record. Bacon and ham are most frequently used, the other parts of pork are less sought after ; however, hoar’s limcl is a dis- tinguished dish when prepared by a cook who understands that its value consists in its appreciation as an atavistic tradition. The feet are dressed after the fashion of Ste. M6ndhould, or stuffed with truffles ; the ears are served cn meim de roi ; and tlie breast is used in many ragoiUs. No part need be thrown away. Of its blood black pudding is made ; of its intestines are made chitterlings (Fr. andonilles, Lat. edulia, Germ. Kaldanncn), of the fragments PREPARATIONS OF PORK 471 of its meat sausages, and of its almost denuded bones grilled and boiled petit sales (Germ. Solper-Knochen) are made. Even pigs’ tails have been honoured with being the objects of ambitious ragouts and feeble recipes, and have shared, with ears, the braises, garnishes, and other favours of culinary grotesqueness. As Boar's Head is a traditional dish, and as in common life real wild boar’s head is of rare occurrence, the domestic bacon hog must yield the materials which are to he trans- formed into the simile of his ancestors of courageous memory. It is to be boned, stuffed, braised, covered with aspic jellyBoar's Head, and eaten cold. Boast Neck and Loin of Pork are treated with some sage and onion, and well done, and to be accompanied with apple sauce. The Griskin of PorkGriskin of Pork is also mostly roasted, sometimes in the larded state. Griskm is in practice defined as that part of the pig which is cut from the side of the hacon hog, namely, the lean from the neck and loin ; it may weigh from 7 to 8 lb., and take from an hour and a half to two hours roasting. A so-called Bacon Sparerih, or Bald Sparerib, is so called because almost all the meat is pared off ; when yet covered to some extent it may weigh up to 9 lb., but when very bald care must be taken not to let it get burnt before it is warmed through. Chops or Cutlets of pork may be plain, grilled, or fried, or glaced and crumbed and fried, boiled ‘ with the gravy in them,’ and served with sauce Bobert, or curried and dished h I'Indienne. The Leg of Pork is also frequently roasted. When it is skinned and roasted, it is called mock goose. A synonym might be goosified pork, an expression formed after the precedent of Priscilla Haslehurst’s ‘ Housekeeper’s Instructor,’ which gives a recipe ‘ to goosify a shoulder of lamb.’ Leg of pork is much improved by pickling and boil- ing. Some cooks, when the pork is about to be served, score the skin in diamonds, and take out every other 472 THE SPIRIT OF COOKERY