HERB POTTAGES 157 



POTAGE MAIGRE. Take four quarts of Spring water, two 

 or three onions stuck with some Cloves, two or three slices 

 of lemon peel; Salt, whole white Pepper, Mace, a Raze or 

 two of Ginger tied up in a fine cloth (Lawn or Tiffany), and 

 make all boil for half an hour. Then having Spinage, Sorrel, 

 White Beet, chard a little cabbage a few small tops of 

 Gives (Chives) wash'd and pick'd clean shred them and cast 

 them into the Liquor, with a pint of blue pease boild soft, 

 and strained with a bunch of sweet herbs, the top and bottom 

 of a French roll, and so suffer it to boil during three hours 

 and then dish it with another small French roll and Slices 

 about the Dish. Some cut Bread in slices and frying them 

 brown (being dried) put them into the Pottage just as it is 

 going to be eaten. 



The same herbs clean, washed, broken and pulled asunder 

 only being put into a close cover'd pipkin, without any other 

 water or liquor will stew in their own juice and moisture. 

 Some add an whole onion which after a while should be 

 taken out, remembering to serve it with salt or spice, and 

 serve it up with Bread and a piece of fresh Butter. John 

 Evelyn, Acetaria, 1699. 



ELDER LEAVES. Though the leaves are somewhat rank 

 of smell and so not commendable for Sallet they are other- 

 wise (as indeed is the entire shrub) of the most sovereign 

 virtues, and the Spring buds and tender leaves excellently 

 wholesome in Pottage. Ibid. 



TO MAKE SOOP IN THE SPRING, WHEN THERE IS NO SELERV 



NOR ENDIVE. Take twelve Cabbage, Lettuce, six green 

 Cucumbers, pare them and take the Cores out, cut both 

 Cucumbers and Lettuce in little Bits about an Inch long, 

 scald them off in boiling Water, and put them to clear, 

 strong Broth ; let them boil Tender with a Handful of Green 

 Pease. Let your garnishing be Cucumbers and Lettuce. 

 Use no thickening in this Soop. So serve it. The 

 Receipt Book of Patrick Lamb, Master Cook to Charles II, 

 James II, William and Mary, and Queen Anne, 1716. 



