Hand-Book of Practical Cookery, for Ladies and Professional Cooks: Containing the Whole Science and Art of Preparing Human Food

large ones, or what is called the first cut, is prepared in _vinaigrette_, _white sauce_, and _fried_; the small one, or second cut, is cooked _en petits pois_--like green peas. It is better and has more taste when boiled rather underdone, that is, taken from the water when still firm; if boiled till soft, it loses its taste and is not crisp. _To boil._--Cut off some of the white part, so as to have the whole of one length if possible; then scrape the white end a little, soak in cold water for a few minutes, and drain. Tie it in small bunches of half a dozen or a dozen, according to size, and drop them in boiling water and a little salt, at the first boil of the water. Boil till rather underdone, take off, drain and drop in cold water immediately. Drain again, and it is ready to serve. _En Petits Pois._--Cut small asparagus in pieces about half an inch long, and blanch them for three minutes. Take off and drain; then put them in a saucepan on the fire with two or three tablespoonfuls of broth, stir now and then for about two minutes, add a teaspoonful of flour; stir again, and as soon as mixed with the asparagus add also about one ounce of butter, salt, pepper, and chopped parsley, stir, and, when the butter is melted, serve. _Fried._--Blanch the asparagus two minutes, drain it; dip each in batter and fry in hot fat. Take off with a skimmer when done; and turn into a colander, salt it, and serve hot. _In Vinaigrette._--Boil it as directed. When cold, serve with a _vinaigrette_. (This is also called _à l'huile_.) _With White Sauce._--While it is boiling, make a white sauce; drain the asparagus and serve both, sauce and vegetable, warm. The asparagus is not dropped in cold water. _With Cream Sauce._--It is prepared and served as with a white sauce. _In Omelet._--Boil the asparagus as directed, and when cool cut it in small pieces about half an inch long, and when the omelet is ready to be folded