668. +Almond Paste.+-- Pour boiling water over ½ pound almonds, remove the brown skins, let the almonds lay in cold water for 24 hours and change the water 2 or 3 times; then pound the almonds in a wedgewood mortar with 2 tablespoonfuls water and the juice of ½ lemon; press them through a sieve and mix with ½ pound powdered sugar into a stiff paste; put the paste into a porcelain-lined saucepan and stir over the fire until it loosens itself from bottom of saucepan; remove the paste from the fire and when cold put some powdered sugar on a pastry board, lay the paste on the sugar and work it into a round ball; then set it in a cool place 1 hour before using.
669. +Boiled Paste (Paté à choux).+-- Place a saucepan with 1 pint water or milk over the fire and add 1 cup butter, 1½ tablespoonfuls sugar, ¼ teaspoonful salt and the peel of 1 lemon; as soon as it boils sprinkle in slowly, stirring constantly, 1 pint sifted flour; continue stirring until it has formed into a smooth paste and loosens itself from bottom of saucepan; transfer the paste to a dish and let it cool; then mix it by degrees with 8 whole eggs and use for cream cakes, chocolate eclairs and other small cakes.
670. +Nudels.+-- Sift 1 cup flour in a bowl and add a pinch of salt, a piece of butter the size of a hazel nut, 1 egg and 1 tablespoonful water; mix this into a stiff paste and work it well on a board so it does not stick to the hands; then divide it into 4 equal parts; roll each part out as thin as paper and let them lay on a board to dry for 10 minutes; then cut them into strips 1 inch wide; lay 4 strips over one another and cut them as fine as possible, like fine straws; when all are cut scatter the nudels all over the board and let them lay till dry; then use or put them away in a box; they will keep for some time. The yolks of 2 eggs may be used instead of 1 whole egg. Nudels are used for puddings or souflées and serve as a dessert; they are also largely used in soup. They should always be put into boiling water, soup or milk and boiled 10 minutes when wanted for use.
671. +Mince Pie.+-- 1 pound finely chopped boiled beef, ½ pound finely chopped suet, 1 pound well washed and dried currants, 1 pound stoned raisins, 1 pound finely cut citron, 1 pound sugar, ½ teaspoonful salt, the juice and a little grated rind of 2 oranges, the juice and grated rind of 1 lemon, 1 pint cider, ½ pint brandy, ½ pint sherry wine, 1 teaspoonful ground cloves, 1 teaspoonful cinnamon, 1 teaspoonful mace, 1 grated nutmeg and 3 pounds finely chopped apples; mix all the ingredients well together and use; sufficient for 6 good sized pies. If this mince meat, is to be kept for any length of time omit the apples and fill the mince meat into glass jars; close tightly and keep them in a cool place. It will then keep all winter. When wanted to make pies of take 1 jar at a time and mix the mince meat with an equal portion of chopped apples; line 2 pie plates with rich pie crust, fill them with the mince meat, cover with same crust as directed (see Directions for Pies), cut a small opening in center and one on each side of upper crust and place the pie in a medium hot oven to bake; when done remove it from oven and pour a little good brandy in center, sides and openings and serve warm. Mince pies will keep in a cool place for two weeks, but they should always be put for 10 or 15 minutes in the oven to heat through before serving. For a large quantity of mince meat put 8 pounds beef off the round in a kettle of boiling water, add 1 tablespoonful salt and boil till tender; when done remove the kettle from the fire and set aside to cool; then take out the meat, remove all skin, fat and hard part and chop the meat as fine as possible; then weigh the chopped meat and take for each pound the same ingredients as in above recipe; put it away in well closed jars without the apples.