FoodNetArchive

Recipes for the million

1891

Page 3

Presented as published in 1891. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
ALOES, To Propagate. — Take slips, suckers, or bottom off-sets from the old plants, and set them separately in pots of very light, dry compost, press the earth firmly about the roots, and supply with a moderate amount of water. Place the pots in a greenhouse, defend them from the mid-day sun, and keep the mould only just damp. The plants will be rooted in a very short time. During the winter months water very sparingly, and only when the pots are very dry. AMALGAM (ELECTRICAL). — Melt together in an iron ladle one ounce of zinc and the same quantity of tin, then withdraw it from the fire and add two ounces of quicksilver, also made hot ; stir well together with an iron rod ; pour the melted metal into a perfectly dry wooden box, and shake it violently until cold. Preserve in a corked glass phial. This amalgam is used for covering the cushions of electrical machines, for which purpose a little must be poured on to a piece of clean paper, crushed quite smooth with a flat-bladed knife, and then spread thinly on the surface of the rubber, previously touched over with a little tallow. AMERICAN PLANTS, Soil for. — Azaleas, rhododendrons, andromedas, kalmias, ledums, and other plants which are generally con- sidered to require bog earth for their successful cultivation, may be grown in a compost of dead leaves, spent tan, rotted sawdust, decomposed straw, grass mowings, and burnt vegetable refuse of all kinds, mixed with suffi- cient garden soil to make it retentive of moisture. The plants should occupy a situation not too much exposed to the direct influence of the sun. AMMONIA (MURIATE OF), To Test. — See Muriate of Ammonia. ANCHOVIES, A Substitute for. — Pound together one pound of table-salt, two ounces of bay-salt, a pound of saltpetre, an ounce of sal- prunella, three or four grains of cochineal. Then take half a peck of sprats, place a layer of the fish at the bottom of a jar or pan, cover them with a layer of the ingredients, then another layer of fish, and some more of the pickle, and so on. Press down hard, cover closely, and stand it by for six months, when it will be ready for use. ANCHOVIES, Butter of. — Take a dozen anchovies which have been pickled, wash them, remove the heads and bones, beat them in a 4 mortar with a quarter of a pound of fresh butter, and when reduced to a fine paste rub through a hair sieve. Put it into a galipot and keep it well covered. Only a small quantity should be made at one time, as it soon becomes rank. Used for salads, fish sauce, &c., and is a nice relish with bread and butter. ANCHOVIES, Essence of. — Bone and chop up about two dozen anchovies, add a teacupful of water and a little of the liquor in which they were preserved ; boil slowly for a few minutes, until the anchovies are dissolved ; let them cool, then strain the essence and bottle it off. ANCHOVY SAUCE. — See Sauce (Anchovy).