Bain-marie.—Bain-maries can be bought, but a saucepan placed upon a trivet in a larger saucepan containing hot water does equally well.
Gelatine.—Gelatine should always be soaked in cold water for one or two hours before using. Then it should be dissolved in a very little hot water, unless otherwise specified, and strained.
The greatest care must be taken in adding liquid gelatine to a cold mixture, as it so quickly solidifies. Strain it first, and then very gradually add it to the mixture, beating hard all the time.
To whip cream.—Whip cream in as cold a place as possible. It will whip easiest if it has been kept on ice for two or three hours. While whipping, remove the froth as it comes on to a sieve to drain. The liquid cream which drains off can be returned to the basin and whipped again. Sugar can be added before or after whipping. The cream will be lighter if the sugar is whipped with it.
To melt chocolate.—Put the chocolate in a saucepan on the oven when the heat is very moderate. Watch that it does not burn.
Meringue for puddings.—To make a meringue to cover a pudding, beat several whites of egg until frothy but not stiff. Then add the sugar gradually in the proportion of one table-spoon of powdered sugar to each white. Beat till stiff. Spread over the pudding when it is cool. Put in a moderate oven, and take out as soon as the meringue has risen, and is delicately browned. Serve quickly.
To blanch almonds.—Put the almonds into boiling water and let them soak in it until the skins rub off easily between the finger and thumb. Drain and spread out to dry.
To pound almonds.—After blanching let them soak for an hour in cold water, then pound in a good sized mortar until reduced to a soft pulp. Whilst pounding add a few drops of orange-flower water or lemon juice.
Mixing.—There are three ways of mixing. Stirring, Beating, Cutting (or Folding).
To stir.—Let the spoon touch the bottom and sides of the basin, and move it round quickly in circles of various sizes. Do not lift it out of the mixture, and work well against the sides.