FoodNet

The housekeeper's companion

1883

Page 71 · 2 recipe records on this page

Presented as published in 1883. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
Purees are merely thick soups strained carefully before serving, and made usually of some vegetable which thickens in boiling, as beans, peas, &c., though there are several forms of tish purees in which the foundation is thickened milk, to which the fish is added, and the whole then rubbed through a com- mon sieve, if a regular puree sieve is not to be had. Browned flour is often used for coloring, but does not thicken a soup, as, in browning a, the starchy portion has been destroyed; and it will not therefore mix, but settles at the bot- tom. Burned sugar or caramel makes a better coloring, and ilso adds flavor. With clear soups grated cheese is often served, tither Parmesan or any rich cheese being used. Onions give a better flavor if they are fried in a little butter or dripping be- fore using, and many professional cooks fry all soup vegetables lightly. Cabbage and potatoes should be parboiled in a sepa- rate water before adding to a soup. In using wine or catchup, add only at the last moment, as boiling dissipates the flavor. Unless a thick vegetable soup is desired, always strain into the tureen. Rice, sago, macaroni, or any cereal may be used as 108 HOUSEHOLD. thickening; the amounts required being found under the dif- ferent headings. Careful skimming, long boiling, and as care- ful removing of fat, will secure a broth especially desirable as a food for children and the old, but almost equally so for any age; while many fragments, otherwise entirely useless, discover themselves as savory and nutritious parts of the day's supply of food. RECIPES. Soups. — Beef Soup with Vegetables. — For this very ex- cellent soup take two quarts of stock prepared before hand, as already directed. If the stock is a jelly, as will usually be the case in winter, an amount sufficient to fill a quart measure can be diluted with a pint of water, and will then be rich enough. Add to this one small carrot, a turnip, a small parsnip, and two onions; all chopped fine; a cupful of chopped cabbage; two tablespoonfuls of barley or rice; and either six fresh tomatoes sliced, or a small can of sealed onesBeef Soup with Vegetables. Boil gently at least one hour: then add one saltspoonful each of pepper, curry powder and clove. If the stock has been salted properly, no more will be needed; but tasting is essential to secure just the right fla- vors. Boil a few minutes longer, and serve without straining. This is an especially savory and hearty soup, and the com- binations of vegetables may be varied indefinitely. A cup of chopped celery is an exceedingly nice addition, or, if this is not to be had, a teaspoonful of celery salt, or a saltspoonful of cel- ery seed. A lemon may also be sliced thin, and added at the last. When tomatoes are used, a little sugar is always an im- provement; in this case an even tablespoonful being sufficient. If a thicker broth is desired, one heaped tablespoonful of corn- starch or flour may be first dissolved in a little cold water; then a cup of the hot ^jroth gradually mixed with it, and the whole added to the soup and boiled for five minutes. Perfect Mock Turtle Soup. — Endeavor to have the head and the broth ready for the soup, the day before it is to be eaten. It will take eight hours to prepare it properly. Honra. Cleaning and soaking the head „ 1 ToparboU it to cut up 1 Cooling, nearly 1 Making'the broth and finishing the soup 5 1 Perfect Mock Turtle Soup