Rensselaer Republican, Volume 21, Number 22, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 31 January 1889 — A LITTLE DINNER. [ARTICLE]

A LITTLE DINNER.

An embroidered square >of linen should be placed under, the centerpiece. /(- Oysters or clams may be served on a thick bed of water cress, in their shells, with accompanyiqg forks. Little dishes of small, round radishes make pleasing bits of color. Dishes filled with Baited alinonds are de rigenr. With thesalid, cheese straws should be served; tied in a bundle with a narrow ribbon; they may be on the table if desired. The ice balls are an addition to many salads and are made as follows: Take a piece of ice as large as a teacup, pound fine in an old towel, and press it with the hands until perfectly round. An attractive “fish dish” consists of medium sized cucumbers, cut in half and carefully scraped out and stuffed with cold boiled salmon (fresh or canned) fix with mayonnaise, half a cucumber served to each person. Oysters may be broiled and served on an ordinary small skewer with little bows of ribbon tied to the “handle!” Then five or six well-broiled oysters impaled on the spilt, served on (or off) toast, and the plate is ready for the table. .The ice cream may be served in paper cases covered with artificial flowers, or in individual bricks and shapes. The cakes, if small, fancifully iced ones, may adorn the table in little dishes. In the finger bowls » piece of lemon, a pansy, or geranium leaf may float. A pretty and delicious salad is as follows: Small potatoes hollowed out and filled with dressed celery, mayonnaise poured over the top, and a few capers added; the potatoes placed on a bed of lettuce, with some ice balls interspersed. Chopped water-cress makes a delicious substitute for celery.