Canterbury
Celebrated for its archbishops and its brawn, Primates of England and prime of pig-cheek.
CAPERS are the buds of a plant which were at one time a good deal cultivated in England-and which might well be wgron in chalk pits, on cliffs and on walls. We get our chief supplies from Italy, and our sauces are so much indebted to them that it is difficult to explain why the plant is now rarely to be seen in England. Perhaps if the history of the plant were known, a greater interest would be felt in it. Dr. Royle has proved that it is the hyssop of Scripture, "which springeth out of the wall." It has long trailing branches like the bramble, and it was on one of these that the sponge filled with vinegar was offered to our Saviour on the cross. "They filled a sponge Carbonade IOI with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop." It was with a branch of the same that the Israelites sprinkled their doorposts with blood when they ate the passover.
Caper Sauce. English butter sauce with a tablespoonful of capers added, not forgetting a little of their vinegar. Let some of the capers be minced, so as to flavour the sauce more effectually.
CARAMEL is to soup and sauce what rice powder is to the face-it gives a complexion. It is difficult to find a substance which will colour soup and yet not alter its flavour. Burnt onions are sometimes used, but they are as rouge to the countenance-not to be trusted. The most innocuous substance is caramel, or burnt sugar, which is prepared as follows: Put a pound of sifted sugar into a brass skillet or preserving pan, and melt it on a slow fire, stirring it with a wooden spoon. After it has melted let it remain on the fire till it becomes the colour of mahogany, stirring it from time to time to make the tint uniform. This may be dark or light at pleasure; but care must be taken to avoid a quick fire, which will burn the sugar and make it black. When the proper tint is gained add three tumblers of water. Then stir up the fire and reduce the caramel to a syrup. Pour it out, cool it, and bottle it for use.