tablespoonful of rice-flour, salt and pepper to taste, 1 teaspoonful of
powdered sugar, thickening of butter and flour, 2 quarts of water.
_Mode_.--Cut the onions small, put them in the stewpan with the butter,
and fry them well; mix the rice-flour smoothly with the water, add the
onions, seasoning, and sugar, and simmer till tender. Thicken with
butter and flour, and serve.
_Time_.--2 hours. _Average cost_,4d. per quart.
_Seasonable_ in winter.
_Sufficient_ for 8 persons.
[Illustration: ONION.]
THE ONION.--Like the cabbage, this plant was erected into an
object of worship by the idolatrous Egyptians 2,000 years before
the Christian era, and it still forms a favourite food in the
country of these people, as well as in other parts of Africa.
When it was first introduced to England, has not been
ascertained; but it has long been in use, and esteemed as a
favourite seasoning plant to various dishes. In warmer climates
it is much milder in its flavour; and such as are grown in Spain
and Portugal, are, comparatively speaking, very large, and are
often eaten both in a boiled and roasted state. The Strasburg is
the most esteemed; and, although all the species have highly
nutritive properties, they impart such a disagreeable odour to
the breath, that they are often rejected even where they are
liked. Chewing a little raw parsley is said to remove this
odour.
PAN KAIL.