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The bachelor and the chafing dish

1895

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Presented as published in 1895. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
I have had the privilege of knowing many dis- tinguished men in various walk§ of life, and I think the most beguiling hours in their company were when some new culinary “creation ” was under dis- cussion. No man understood the value of a genial host in this respect better than the elder Sothern, nor could any man turn a spit with more energetic Entre Notts. 3 interest than Dion Boucicault. But men’s stom- achs have always been their weaknesses, and it has fairly been said that if women wished to control the lords of creation it was only necessary to treat them as kindly as they would the brute — feed them ! The new chafing-dish — which is a most delightful evolution — is accomplishing much as a civilizer. It is certainly an important factor nowadays in breaking formality and bringing people around a festive board under the happiest sort of circum- stances. Its very general use by both men and women, its convenience for a quick supper or for a dainty luncheon, and its success as an economical provider where it is necessary — all this is putting the chafing-dish upon a queenly dais. The idea of making this little book has been sug- gested to me over and over again by various friends with whom I have had the privilege of testing many of the recipes given. They have in every instance been a happy success in the presence of carefully scrutinizing bon vivants on board of yachts, in private dining-rooms, of many clubs, in bachelor apartments, and among clever men and charming women at their homes. In addition to such recipes suited to the chafing- 4 The Bachelor and the Chafing-dish. dish, a number of directions are given for the prep- aration of sauces, suggestions for the bachelor’s larder, and various hints on miscellaneous subjects, that will be found more or less apropos, to which is added a glossary of the various terms used in cooking. This will be found especially convenient to the amateur chef in the construction of a menu- card. Not very many or cooked cheese most indigestible dom suggested proper article of supper. But its came with the intro- chop-houses and tanism. It can cer- king of the chafing- skilfully, is as di- table. Nearly every his own way of bit to be the best, company during its usually the object that becomes ing. After numer- various times and in under the discussion 1 years ago toasted was considered a dish, and was sel- in this country as a food for a late-night sudden popularity duction of English latter-day cosmopoli- tainly be called the dish, and, if made gestible as it is pala- amateurcook believes making a Welsh rab- and in an assembled preparation he is of a critical comment humorously provok- ous experiments at many localities, and of men and women of well-known good judgment, I am convinced that this is the most satisfactory recipe for its making. Let us say the rabbit is for six persons. Two pounds of fresh American cheese should be in 6 The Bachelor and the Chafing-dish. Welsh Rabbit