Encouraged by the kindly manner in which the Press has dealt with my "Anglo-Indian and Oriental Cookery," and at the repeated request of friends, I am writing this little book.
In its compilation, I have had in view both the Anglican and Roman communions.
There are many who keep the Fasts and Abstinences prescribed by their Church, and there are many more who would do so if their food was served up and cooked in a healthy way. As a rule, fish and vegetables are very little understood in this country, and even in the houses of the better class one sees little else than the eternal boiled and fried fish. As to vegetables, they are out of it altogether. If this be the case where money is no object, how much harder is it for those who are obliged to make the most of everything?
I do not pretend to teach in this little book, only to give a few novel and useful recipes that most housewives will find really good and economical, and also to show that a non-flesh diet can be and is both healthy and appetising.
The book will be found useful by others than those for whom it is specially written, and most of the recipes will be practicable at all times of the year.
A word in conclusion to the careful housewife in getting tinned fish. Always get the best brand; it is not wise to go in for cheap goods in this line.
I cannot speak too highly of Edwards' Desiccated Soups. They make delicious soups of themselves, and in conjunction with other things they have no equal. Their tomato is simply invaluable; I would not be without it for anything.
To those who find pastry indigestible I would recommend them to try "Coombs' Eureka Flour"; it makes delicious pastry, and requires no baking powder, and it has the advantage of being thoroughly digestible.
I have mentioned how to use all these in most of the recipes.