A St Minver Kitchen
In the last two editions of Link we included recipes from an old cookery book owned by Ian Hughes of Kenhendra. The recipe book previously belonged to Miss Andrews, the housekeeper of St Minver House, who was the aunt of his great grandmother. Here are two more intriguing recipes from ‘A New System of Domestic Cookery’
Christmas Dinner at the Manor, circa 1840.
Norfolk Punch.
Stuffing for roast turkey
In 20 quarts of French brandy put the peels of 30 lemons and 30 oranges, pared so thin that not the least of the white is left. Infuse 12 hours. Have ready 30 quarts of cold water that has boiled. Put to it 15 pounds of double refined sugar and when well mixed pour it upon the brandy and peels. Add the juice of the oranges and of 24 lemons, mix well. Strain through a very fine hair sieve into a very clean barrel that has held spirits and put 2 quarts of new milk. Stir and then bung it close. Let it stand 6 weeks in a warm cellar. Bottle the liquor for use, observing great care that the bottles are perfectly clean and dry and the corks of best quality and well put in. This liquor will keep many years and is improved by age.
Roast turkey may be stuffed in various ways, a veal stuffing being the most common. Where truffles are to be had, take about 2 pounds, peel them, select the small ones and after chopping pound them in a mortar, with an equal quantity of the fat of bacon rasped. Make the stuffing with this, mixed with some of the larger truffles whole, put them into the body of the turkey and let it hang for several days. Then roast it with a piece of fat bacon laid over the breast and paper over that. This being an expensive dish use sausage meat rather than veal and chestnuts rather than truffles.
Quiz Quest
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
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How well do you know your area? Test your knowledge in our quiz Which queen was on the throne when Prideaux Place in Padstow was built? When were the harbour flood gates installed in Padstow Harbour? What is the name of the dredger in the Camel Estuary? Which local chef’s restaurant was recently voted fourth best in the UK? What date is the winter solstice?
Anagrams of Cornish Place Names
1. POST DIET
3. RIPE NET
5. PEST ON TIPPER
2 ST RON NAVE
4. BUY LANDY
Answers on Page 71
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