3333.—RATAFIAS. (Fr.—Ratafias.)
Ingredients.—¾ of a lb of sweet ground almonds, 2 ozs. of butter, 1¼ lbs. of castor sugar, the whites of 6 or 8 eggs.
Method.—Exactly the same as for macaroons, but the paste must be a little softer, and they must be laid out in very small drops on to sheets of clean white kitchen paper, laid over baking-plates, and baked in a cool oven to a very pale colour.
Time.—20 to 30 minutes. Average Cost, 2s. 3d. Sufficient for 60 or 80 ratafias.
3334.—RICE BISCUITS OR CAKES.
Ingredients.—½ a lb. of rice flour, ¼ of a lb. of castor sugar, ¼ of a lb. of butter, 1 egg.
Method.—Beat the butter to a cream, stir in the rice flour and pounded sugar, and moisten the whole with the egg, which should be previously well beaten. Roll out the paste, cut out with a round paste cutter into small cakes, and bake them from 12 to 18 minutes in a very slow oven.
Time.—12 to 18 minutes. Average Cost, 9d. Sufficient to make about 18 cakes.
Note.—Ground rice, or rice flour, is used for making several kinds of cakes, also for thickening soups. The Americans make rice bread, and prepare the flour for it in the following manner: When the rice is thoroughly cleansed, the water is drawn off and the rice, while damp, bruised in a mortar; it is then dried, and passed through a hair sieve.
3335.—SAVOY BISCUITS OR CAKES.
Ingredients.—4 eggs, 8 ozs. of castor sugar, a few drops of essence of lemon, 8 ozs. of flour.
Method.—Break the eggs into a basin, beat well with the sugar and essence of lemon for ¼ of an hour. Then dredge in the flour gradually, and well but lightly mix. Then put the mixture into a savoy bag, lay the biscuits out on to a sheet of thick cartridge paper, and bake them in rather a hot oven; but let them be carefully watched, as they are soon done, and a few seconds over the proper time will scorch and spoil them. These biscuits, or ladies' fingers, as they are sometimes called, are used for making Charlotte Russes and a variety of fancy sweet dishes.
Time.—10 to 12 minutes. Average Cost, 9d. Sufficient for 2 doz. cakes.
3336.—SEED BISCUITS.
Ingredients.—1 lb. of flour, ¼ of a lb. of castor sugar, ¼ of a lb. of butter, ½ an oz. of caraway seeds, 3 eggs.
