Florentine Ring (Fish) - 1970s

It looks like a burnt curry, and its the latest card from that massive cardex that I acquired a few weeks ago.  Florentine is the name given to any dish that is paired with spinach, in this case its not obvious that this is a fish dish, but it is.

It has a cooking time of 1 hour, and will take 25 minutes to prepare.  Best to have an 8 inch ring tin handy and a sauce pan, and pre-heat your oven to 350f which is 180c.  Out of this recipe you'll get enough to serve three greedy gannets or six smallish portions.

2lb/1kg Fresh Spinach

White Sauce:
2 oz/50g butter
2 oz/50g flour
half a pint/275ml milk
seasoning
3 egg yolks
good pinch of nutmeg

Filling: 
1lb/0.5kg fish fillets
half a pint/275ml milk
2 oz/50g butter
2 oz/50g flour
3-4 oz/75-100g grated cheese
seasoning

Garnish:
1oz/25g grated cheese and tomatos

1. Cook spinach in a very little salted water.  Drain well and chop.

2. Make a thick white sauce in the usual way. (not sure how to make white sauce? see http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/whitesauce_1298)

3. Stir in the egg yolks and nutmeg.  Add the spinach, season well and blend thoroughly.

4. Pour in to greased ring tin.

5. Stand in a tin of water, bake until firm - 40 to 45 minutes.

6. Meanwhile simmer the fish in milk until cooked.  Drain and use liquid to make a white sauce with the butter and flour.

7. Season and stir in grated cheese.

8. When spinach ring is cooked, turn on to warm plate.

TO SERVE:
Fill centre of ring with flaked fish and pour over the cheese sauce.  Sprinkle with grated cheese and garnish with sliced tomatos.

Golden Cheese Marbles - 1930's

Strangely enough, these appear in the 1936 edition of 'Cookery Illustrated and Household Management'.  These make excellent party appetisers.  This will serve three to four people.



1 and a half cupfuls of grated cheese (Cheddar or Edam)
2 tablespoons of flour
half a teaspoon of celery salt
2 egg whites
Paprika

1. Beat the egg whites till light but not stiff, add the flour, cheese, paprika and celery salt.
2. Roll mixture into the size of marbles and fry till golden brown in deep fat at 373F.

Serve on a hot dish lined with a lace paper d'oyley.

Raspberry Cheese

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This odd little recipe will serve six to eight people.

8 oz. grated Cheddar Cheese
1 lb. Raspberries (keep a few for garnishing)
3 oz. Castor Sugar
1 teaspoon of Lemon Juice
mint sprigs (for garnish)
wafers (for garnish)

Whisk grated cheese, sugar, raspberries and lemon juice together and divide between individual dishes.  Chill the dishes then Garnish with the remaining raspberries, a mint sprig and wafer.  If you have an electric blender, then you can use this to mix all the ingredients.

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Cheese Straws

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4 oz. Flour
2 oz. Margarine
2 oz. Processed Cheese (Cheddar will be fine)
teaspoon of water
Worcester Sauce
Cayenne Pepper

1. Rub some butter or fat into flour, add sieved processed cheese, pepper and Worcester sauce.

2. Mix with water until dough holds together.

3. Roll out one eighth inch thick. Stab with a fork and cut into fingers and put on greased trays or sheets of baking paper.

4. Bake in a very hot oven (200 to 180 celsius) until golden brown.

This cheese pastry can be used to make cheese biscuits too.

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Cheese and Sweetcorn Fritters

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4 oz Plain Flour
Salt and Pepper
1 egg
Quarter of a pint of milk
6 oz. Grated Cheddar Cheese
6 oz. Sweetcorn

Sieve flour and seasoning into mixing bowl.  Graudally beat in milk and lightly beaten egg, stir in cheese and sweetcorn.  Place dessertspoonful in hot fat and fry until crisp and golden brown.  Drain well and serve as a main dish, a cocktail savoury or as an accompaniment to chicken.