FoodNet

The housekeeper's guide to preserved meats, fruits, vegetables, &c

1880

Page 18

Presented as published in 1880. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
ANGELICA, CANDIED.— Candied an- gelica is one of the most useful of what may be termed crystallised or candied fruits for the purpose of ornamenting. It can be cut into thin strips of consi- derable length, and has an agreeable taste as well as colour. English cooks do not sufficiently value angelica as an ornament, whereas on the Continent it is in constant use. As an instance of how angelica can be used to ornament sweets, I will take the simple case of a cornflour pudding made in a mould, consisting of an oval dish— say, for in- stance, an empty Yorkshire pie-dish. Were the pudding made plain and un- gamished it would have the most unin- viting appearance ; but first suppose two or three drops of essence of almonds have been added to the pudding, and the pudding turned out on to a dish. First take some angelica and cut it into strips, and cut two of these strips an inch long, and in the shape of a spike or pyramid, half an inch broad at the base, and going to a point. Cut two more strips three-quarters of an inch long and three-eighths of an inch broad at the base, also going to a point. Then stick a preserved cherry in the centre of the mould, and make it the centre of a star, the two long strips pointing outwards longways, and the two short strips pointing outwards sideways. Round the edge of the mould, at a distance of one inch, put alternately a preserved cherry and a small star of angelica — the star consisting of two little strips half an inch long and one-eighth of an inch in width, simply laid across one another at right angles. Then thicken a little sugar-and-water with a little cornflour, add a few drops of cochineal, two drops of essence of almonds, and also if possible add a tablespoonful of rum, and pour this sweet sauce round the mould. Just contrast this dish, flavoured and ornamented, with one without either, then calculate the cost. Without the rum the flavouring and ornaments would not cost one half- penny, and yet English cooks won’t take the trouble to use this cheap and HOUSEKEEPER'S GUIDE. economical garnish. Strips of angelica can be used for the purpose of orna- menting tipsy-cakes, and contrast very well with blanched almonds cut into strips. Chopped angelica is also used to ornament cakes that have been glazed over with some bright brown syrup. The chopped angelica is mixed with some coarse chopped white sugar, and the green specks contrast well with the white specks. A sponge cake glazed and ornamented this way has a very pretty effect. ANGLO-SWISS MILK.— See Milk. ANGOSTURA BITTERS. — Angostura bitters is a very powerful bitter, and is used in drops, which are added to sherry, champagne, etc. Two or three drops are sufficient for a glass. It is prepared from the bark of a tree that grows in tropical South America known as the bark of Galipea Cusparia — Angostura bark -tree. It is supposed to be good for dyspepsia, and in South America is used for the same purpose as quinine. It is important to buy the genuine I )r. Siegert’s Angostura Bitters. The bark of Stryehnos mix vomica has sometimes been substituted for true cusparia or angostura bark. False cusparia yields brncia and strychnia; the tine bark contains neither of these alkaloids. Angostura bitters is best taken shortly before a meal in a small quantity of gin or sherry. Mixed with champagne it makes a good pick-me-up.