LARDED GAME. 443 



move it by degrees nearer the fire, so that the heat can penetrate 

 thoroughly through the entire mass. 



During this process, it will be necessary to baste the Birds 

 occasionally with their own drippings or a small particle of 

 melted butter, with which may be put a trifling portion of salt 

 and black pepper. The drippings should be caught on pieces 

 of thin and crisp toast laid in the bottom of the pan ; the crust 

 of the bread should be paired off, and one small slice will answer 

 for each Bird. 



When the Birds are nearly finished, the}'- may be lightly 

 dredged with flour, powdered cracker, or bread crumbs, which, 

 uniting with the juices exuding from every pore, form a beau- 

 tiful brown crust. This process, before a brisk fire, should 

 occupy about twenty minutes for a Partridge, fifteen minutes 

 for a Snipe, Woodcock, or Plover, and twenty-five to thirty 

 for a Grouse — a little longer, perhaps, for the last-mentioned 

 Bird, as it should be well done. 



Serve them up each on a slice of toast on hot dishes, and well 

 covered. 



This is the best and most simple method of cooking the 

 greater variety of Game-Birds, and certainly within the ability 

 of any " plain cook," no matter how stupid she may be, or how 

 lately arrived from the "Emerald Isle." 



LARDED GAME. 



Game Birds of all kinds, when skilfully trussed, larded hand- 

 somely, and roasted brown, present a very beautiful appearance 

 on the table; but we do not relish them so well as when served 

 up perfectly au naturel. However, as before said, it is some- 

 times not only expedient but agreeable to us to consult the 

 palates of our friends as well as to titillate their fancies by the 

 variety of our set out. 



The process of larding is a very simple matter,* and may 

 be learned from any cookery book. The practice of it, how- 

 ever, upon small game in particular, requires some judgment 

 and a great deal of nicety. 



Before larding the Birds, they may or may not be stuffed with 



* Larding needles may be had at the furnishing or hardware stores. 



