FoodNet

The Pytchley book of refined cookery and bills of fare

1885

Page 2

Presented as published in 1885. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
The Author proposes to treat on small dinners of taste within the compass of ordinary mortals ; he trusts that the “Bills of Fare” may save trouble to thousands of fair young ladies who have recently entered on the cares of housekeeping, to whom the ordering of dinner is a novelty and a nuisance, and to busy and sporting bachelors whose chief thought is the eating, and not the ordering of the repast. The Author implores his readers who have not a large establishment, if they wish to consult the comfort of them- selves and guests, to limit the number of guests to six or eight. The Bills of Fare are made out with the strictest economy consistent with refined and delicate cookery, and the proportions of the Receipts given are sufficient for six people, so that any cook can curtail the proportions if less is required, and add if more is wanted. A series of “Blunting Menu Cards” by Mr. Edward Kennard, an old resident and forward rider in the Pytchley country, has just been shown to the Author, who can highly recommend them as a decoration for the table. He particularly draws attention to his “ Consomme,” 4 which is really excellent. He knows some prejudice exists against using “ Extract of Meat ; ” but he hopes any one who buys this book will try it : they will find that it will greatly reduce, if not entirely dispense with “ the butcher’s greatest friend/’ but the master’s most expensive luxury, the “stockpot.” Ble begs to impress on his readers the economy of fish entries ; they are much more easily cooked and served, and half the quantity suffices. Who has not B 2 4 THE PYTCHLEY COOKERY BOOK. had a mass of half- raw cod or salmon doled out, instead of helping oneself to a neat fillet ? He draws attention to a class of entree which is seldom seen on the tables of people of moderate means, and which, if it does appear, resembles dry potted meat instead of a creamy, excellent entree. The entree he alludes to is made of Quenelle Meat. It is the most refined and delicate of all entrees , can be made of veal and almost any game, and can be served poached and fried in various forms. The Author gives the receipt of a Frenchman who was celebrated for the softness and excellence of this class of entree. He impresses on his readers that nothing is in worse taste than too much ; he has endeavoured to avoid this in the compilation of his “ Bills of Fare,” and to select the newest and most wholesome Receipts. It was his intention to have had “Bills of Fare” on one page, and directions for cooking the various dishes opposite, so that any master or mistress could have said to the cook, “That Bill of Fare and carried out by those directions I will have to-day,” but he found it quite impossible, as the repetition would have been endless. INTRODUCTION TO BILLS OF FARE. TWELVE FOR EACH MONTH. The Bills of Fare have been arranged with some care, and but few words in explanation will be necessary. Repetitions and omissions doubtless occur, but the Author thinks it better to make frequent use of those things which are in season, and readily obtained at a reasonable price, than to recommend dishes, easily written down, but con- taining articles difficult to procure and expensive. The Author again prefers, in which he hopes that his readers will agree, a good dish twice, or three times a month, to a moderate dish simply for a change.