RECIPES FOR GARDEN PARTIES.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XIV, Issue IX, 2 March 1895, Page 214

RECIPES FOR GARDEN PARTIES.

8 HIS summer is perhaps not the best we have experienced for such undertakings as picnics or gatherings of friends at home in the shape of garden parties, still the younger members of the family, who are chiefly those who keep the ball rolling in this direction, are not prone to be despondent, and invitations are sent out in all directions, full of hopefulness which may or may not be doomed to disappointment. There are a variety of picnics. Perhaps the most enjoyable of all is the kind that only owns one host and hostess, who undertake all the trouble and expense of the whole affair. /ggSaiLz*-Then there is the combination Oa*. picnic, the expenses and arrangements of which are undertaken by some half-dozen married ladies who each invite an equal number of guests. 1 have known of such combinations resulting in very pleasant parties, but on the other hand it is impossible to ignore the fact that such undertakings lead to an amount of discussion that is apt to endanger the general peace. Generally, 1 am not much in favour of co operative picnics. It has a cheerful, generous sound about it; but, unless everyone will consent to place themselves in the hands of one organiser, one is apt to find that the luncheon table is plentifully supplied with lobsters, but there is no butter or salt, and a superabundance of cayenne pepper and cream. But really the simplest way for people who wish to give a picnic is to send out an ordinary invitation card exactly as if they were asking their friends to lunch, mentioning the place of meeting and time, and leaving the fact of how they are to get there for their gnests to decide. Advice regarding garden parties is a little difficult to give, for so very much depends on the grounds and the number of people expected. Of one thing be certain, if tennis is going to be played one or two people fairly acquainted with the capacities of the players should devote their entire energies to make up the sets, otherwise they are not likely to be equal or to give pleasure to those who are taking part. Ringo is being played a good deal, and, if a party be really large, rounders, croquet and even Aunt Sally will be appreciated, in fact, the latter game is quite picking np its social pretensions, and, like many other things of an equally plebeian extraction, is now voted to be ‘ smart.’ ‘Cups’ of various kinds must be provided, and the following will be found excellent receipts for either cider or claretClaret Cup.—A bottle of light claret, a small quantity of powdered lump sugar, the rind of a lemon, cut very thin, a sprig of borage, balm, or a few peelings of encumber rind, a

small glass of curacoa or brandy, two bottles of iced seltzer water. Let it stand for an hour, strain and add ice before serving. Allow this quantity to nine persons. Cider Cnp.—Two bottles sparkling cider, one bottle seltzer water, one wineglass of sherry, a liqueur glass of

brandy, one of curacoa, the rind of half a lemon, powdered sugar, two slices of lemon, borage, or cucumber rind, and grate nutmeg all over. Ice well before serving, and do not strain.

Fruit salads are always appreciated. They should be served in old china or glass l>owls, with a silver soup ladle with which to serve them. The little oblong rolls which in Devonshire are called ‘ tough cakes,’ mav be slit, and cucumber or cress be put between after they have been buttered ; their are much easier to hold than ordinary bread and butter. As people come long distances in the country, a plentiful supply of sandwiches made of Ktted meat, pdte de fois gras and so on. should provided. Tomatoes mixed with hard boiled eggs make delightful sandwiches; these little things are, of course, in addition to the usnal supply of cakes both great and small, and whiskies and sodas should be on hand for those who prefer them to • cups.’ While, for garden parties, I must not forget to describe a most delightful case, capable of holding a racquet, pair of tennis shoes and six tennis balls, and is really not so cumbersome as one would fancy. The case, as will be seen by my drawing, will not be difficult to manufacture, buckram merely being required to be cut out in the desired shape, which wonld form a suitable foundation for any kind of covering that may be desired, from brown canvas to the most elaborate embroidery on white kid.