From MRS. WILLIAM REED, of Maryland, Lady Manager.
After bleeding them an hour, put them into warm water. A young one will boil tender in half an hour. They are done when the shell is easily removed. Be careful not to cut off the heads before boiling, as it will make them watery. In picking them, be careful not to break the gall or waste the liquor. The small bones are often left in the terrapin—if they are Diamondbacks. Be careful not to break the eggs. When picked, add the liquor, and to three medium sized terrapins, three-fourths pound of butter, salt and pepper (cayenne) to taste. Let them stew for a short time, but be careful not to stir them more than is absolutely necessary. If you wish, one-half pint of good wine can be added just before serving.
Another way to dress terrapin is to add to the liquor of three terrapins, three-fourths pound of butter thickened with browned flour, cayenne pepper and salt. Spices or onions are never used in Maryland to dress terrapins.
TERRAPIN WHITE STEW.
From MRS. JAMBS R. DEANE, of California, Lady Manager.
Two large terrapin; three tablespoonfuls butter; one pint cream; one- half pint sherry or Madeira; one gill water; six hard-boiled eggs; one-half a lemon; two level teaspoonfuls salt; cayenne, white pepper, mace and allspice to taste. Cut up the terrapin fine; put in a stew pan with terrapin juice, water, butter, salt, pepper and spices. Simmer for fifteen minutes. Mash yolks of eggs well and mix gradually with cream; add this mixture, with the wine, and the lemon cut in thin slices, to the terrapin stew. Cut up the whites of eggs in thin rings and, stirring, mix thoroughly, but do not let it boil. To be served at once.
WHITE STEW OF TERRAPIN.
From MRS. GEORGE W. LAMAR, of Georgia, Alternate Lady Manager.
Cut off the heads and throw into cold water for about an hour to draw the blood. Scald them to loosen the skin and nails; open and clean them. Cover with water and boil, with part of an onion chopped fine, and a sprig of parsley and thyme. When thoroughly done, remove all the meat from the shells and bones, chop fine and return to the pot. Rub to a cream one-quarter pound of butter and one tablespoonful of flour, with a little of the stock, and stir in gradually, adding salt and red pepper to taste. Just before serving put in one-half pint of cream and one wineglass of wine to each terrapin. Slice one lemon and four hard- boiled eggs into a tureen, pour the stew over them and serve in terrapin dishes.