Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-03-29
ODD DINNER DAINTIES.
QUEER DISHES FOR PEOPLE WHO
ARE ASTRONOMICAL INCLINED.

"A delicious Roast OF WIG Aal-aHe LA-
cellence of Observation-Disclosures Paste and
Picked observation-disclosures on Toast.
A Florida Dainty.
It has often been said that the man who
first ate raw oyster must have been not
only brave, but hungry, and although there
are few of Us who have been equally brave In
tasting new dishes, we think it safe to say that
there are many more who would have to be
very hungry before eating broiled rattlesnake
or baked buUard, and yet those who have
eaten broiled snake declare it to be, when
properly cooked, excellent eating.
A few winters ago, in Florida, I was in
vited to feast in the wilderness, and ate
heartily of delicious roast of meat; on ask
ing for second plate inquired what it was,
and was told that it was roast wild cat.
Not for the whole state of Florida could
have eaten another mouthful, and yet my
vis-a-vis exclaimed, ''Wild cata-it is de-
icious!" How could he? I thought Of
course was glad afterward that had tasted
wild cat, but could not have felt any more
uncomfortable for while if they had told
me that had eaten part of the alligator
had seen brought in from the swamp that
l4uR, VI a PIC VI tL0 DSdltllul AUtlS
charleleons that were to be found every
where; and in fact am not quite sure but
that some of the tough black steaks that we
had at the ST. Augustine and Jacksonville
hotels were not alligator steaks. However,
every one to his taste; the Chinau1an will
tell you that mice are Every good eating"
the Frenchman that horse flesh sis excel
lent" the negro that 'possum and coon lam
Delicious" the cannibal that nothing equals
the flesh of his enemy, and SO on.
PREPARING FROGS LEGS.
Although frog spearing became fashion
able sport across the water last summer, and
was practiced both by men and women, we
hardly think that even hazel wood cross
bows and silken cords will induce American
girls to follow their French cousins in this
rather questionable amusement, still, as
there are recipes to be found for the serving Of
frogs legs in some of the new cook books, it
proves that it is not an unknown dish nor an
unliked one, and for the benefit of those who
affect something odd for the table the follow
ing suggestions for dishes and dinners are
offered.
There are several ways of preparing frogs
legs, the simplest being salad; fried, with
sauce tartare, patties of frogs legs; and a
plain fry. For the last, width is the SIM
plest Of all, skin, and boil for five minutes
IN saited water, then throw into cold water
and drain; roll in cracker crumbs, and fry
in hot fat
Those who visit Florida in the winter can
indulge in palmetto cabbage, which is the
tender bud of the tree and prepared Just as
you would boil cabbage, not forgetting to
fhn yofn OF {r-,, 4 u
makes an excellent pickle.
We have heard it stated by those who have
tried it that watermelon is vastly improved
by pouring claret or champagne over it.
Some time since The London Standard pub
lIshed two recipes which we think will serve
as extreme examples in taste. They were for
beetle paste and picked grasshoppers; the
latter is New Zealand dish, but is none the
less recommended. The beetles which are
used are the common black ones. They
should be soaked in vinegar for six hours,
then dried in the sun for two hours: the
outer shell can then be easily removed, leav-
ing the flesh, which resembles a shrimp.
Now mix with flour, butter, pepper and salt
INTO thick paste, and set in cool oven for
.wo hours. When cold serve with bread and
butter. The grasshoppers should be STEPPED
n salt or pork brine for two hours, then
ooiled in the brine for twenty minutes, then
'insed in lCkewarm water, and remove the
heads, legs and wings (if any are left. They
ire now ready for the table, and should be
eaten with crackers
A CHINESE DISH.
A Chinese student tells us that locusts on
cast is as fashionable dish in northern
china as quail on toast is in America and we
zee no reason to doubt his assertion that they
ire delicious eating. To prepare them the
ocusts are thrown into hot dry pot and !
covered. When they are dead handful of !
alt is thrown in, and they are stirred until |
'risp; then serve on toast. They are said to |
esemble salt herring in taste.
One Of the dainties of a Florida seaside ho- !
ell last winter was Frenched conch, and many /
guest ate it and enjoyed it without knowing /
xactly what it was. 1t is the fish whose
'eautiful pink shells are made SO much of in
florida, and it is good eating when properly
ooked. 1t is usually fried in batter. or made
nto soup.
An odd way of entertaining is to serve ma
ional dinners, such as Swedish dinner, at
which every dish has been prepared in
swedish fashion. One very important fea-
ure might be the use of black bread, which
an only be obtained from Swedish baker.
Another Swedish dish is an omelet made with
rated cheese, butter and milk, and cooked
q the dish in which it is served A Scotch
inner consists of kali soup kippered salmon,
aSgls, glblet pie, oatcake, barley scone, and