Mem. This Portable Soup is a most convenient article in Cookery—especially in Small Families, where it will save a great deal of time and trouble. It is also Economical, for no more will be melted than is wanted—so there is no waste.
Shin of Beef, weighing nine pounds, and costing 1s. 10½d. produced nine ounces of concentrated Soup, sufficiently reduced to keep for several months. After the boiling, the Bones in this joint weighed two pounds and a quarter, and the Meat two pounds and a quarter.
As it is difficult to obtain this ready-made of good quality—and we could not find any proper and circumstantial directions for making it, which on trial answered the purpose,—and it is really a great acquisition to the Army and Navy—to Travellers, Invalids, &c.—the Editor has bestowed some time, &c. in endeavouring to learn—and to teach how it may be prepared in the easiest,—most economical and perfect manner.
The ordinary selling price is from 10s. to 12s.—but you may make it according to the above Receipt for 3s. 6d. per Pound—i. e. for 2½d. per Ounce, which will make you a Pint of Broth.
Those who do not regard the expense, and like the flavour, may add the lean of Ham, in the proportion of a pound to eight pounds of Leg of Beef.
It may also be flavoured, by adding to it, at the time you put the Broth into the smaller Stewpan, Mushroom Catsup, Shallot Wine, Essences of Spice or Herbs, &c.;—we prefer it quite plain—it is then ready to be converted in an instant into a basin of Beef Tea for an Invalid, and any flavour may be immediately communicated to it by the Magazine of Taste (No. 463.)
Mutton Chops delicately Stewed, and good Mutton Broth.—(No. 490.)—Put a Pound of Chops into a stewpan with cold water enough to cover them, and half a pint over, and an Onion,—when it is coming to a boil, skim it, cover the pan close, and set it over a very slow Fire till the Chops are tender,—if they have been kept a proper time, they will take about three quarters of an hour’s very gentle simmering. Send up Turnips with them, (No. 130), they may be boiled with the chops, skim well, and then send all up in a deep dish, with the Broth they were stewed in.
N.B. The Broth will make an Economist one,—and the Meat another wholesome and comfortable meal.
[113] Men are but rarely “framed so in the prodigality of Nature,” as to have all their Senses in perfection—very few have a single one, that approximates within many degrees of it—the Eye of Raphael, the Ear of Handel, the Palate of Apicius—or the sensitive touch of the blind Girl, who could feel Colours—are pancratic faculties which are seldom produced.
The following division of the Senses is so excellent, that I copy it from the scarce Book referred to below:—