Page:Face to Face With the Mexicans.djvu/509

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WHAT THEY EAT, AND HOW THEY COOK IT.
503

as a powder. First put the sugar with the eggs, then beat them well together; lastly, add the lady-fingers with vanilla to taste. To be served in small glasses or cups. I can recommend this.

Another.—Three pints of milk, half a pound of sweet almonds, two pounds of powdered sugar. Beat the almonds to a powder; mix with the sugar. Have the milk boiling and stir constantly. While still boiling, put in the almonds and sugar and stir until the whole is the consistency of a thick paste. Put away to cool for the next day. Then take one pound of butter, and beat with the paste until very light; the yolks of sixteen eggs beaten very light; add to the paste, stirring all well together. Beat the whites of the sixteen eggs to a stiff froth, as for icing, adding a small proportion of powdered sugar. Put the first mixture in cups or glasses and place the white on top.

Huevos Reales (Royal Eggs).—Beat a dozen yolks until very light, then put them in a vessel, and put this again into one of boiling water to remain until they are well done. Put half a pound of sugar into a pint of water to cook together like a syrup. Before the syrup has cooked to a candied state, cut the yolks into shapes, or small pieces and put them into the syrup to boil. When cooked to an agreeable consistency, place in a dish, and on each piece of egg place almonds and raisins.

The botanical and mineral kingdoms possess untold wealth, not only valuable to the chemist and pharmacist, but also to the housekeeper, who, for a trifling sum paid to an Indian, may supply herself liberally with domestic nostrums.

Tequisquiti, a mineral combining the properties of both soda and ammonia, is a standard remedy for indigestion, gastritis, or other stomach troubles. It is also valuable in the bath.

Tisa, another mineral, resembles prepared chalk, and is not only used as a remedy, but is also the refuge of the housekeeper for brightening her silver, glass, and paint. Mountains of these and kindred minerals are to be found almost anywhere, an ever-ready boon to the housekeeper. These are all supplied and dispensed, for the most insignificant consideration, by the serviceable and ubiquitous Indians.