—The following incident happened in my presence over twenty-five years ago. One evening, dinner was served to a party of prominent gentlemen in Lyons, France, among whom were Alexander Dumas, père, the great novelist, and Berger, the famous billiard player. While the waiter was in the act of handing the radishes to M. Dumas, he saw a change come over him; anger was depicted in his face, and he thoroughly expected to see the radishes, radish-dish, etc., flung full at him. He stood amazed, not daring to question the distinguished guest. When his anger subsided, he amiably explained that the cause of his sudden ill-temper was offering to him radishes peeled, and deprived of their green stalks; he asserted that the healthiest and best parts had been removed. After inquiries of more experienced co-laborers, the waiter thoroughly agreed with M. Dumas, and experience has taught him the correctness of his judgment.
Radishes are a luxurious and healthful adjunct to the dinner-table, and can be procured almost the whole year; but in the spring the markets are more plentifully supplied, and that is the most wholesome season to partake of them.
294. Welsh Rarebit.
—Take one pound of American cheese; cut up in small pieces. Place them in a sautoire, adding half a glassful of good ale. Season with half a saltspoonful of red pepper. Stir it continually with a wooden spoon until the mass is well melted, which will take about ten minutes. Have six nice, fresh, large pieces of toast; arrange them on a very hot dish, and distribute the preparation equally over, serving the rarebit very hot.
295. Golden Buck.
—Proceed as for the above ([No. 294]), and when ready to serve, dress a poached egg ([No. 404]) on each piece of toast, and serve very hot.
296. Gherkin Buck.
—Prepared the same as Golden Buck ([No. 295]), only adding to each toast a slice of broiled bacon ([No. 754]), and sending to the table very hot.
297. Welsh Rarebit au Gratin.
—Prepare six toasts of American bread; broil them lightly, remove, and cover each with a slice of Swiss cheese a little less than half an inch thick; lay them in a roasting-pan, sprinkling a very little pepper over. Put in the oven for ten minutes. Arrange the toasts on a very hot dish, and send to the table.