18 JULY 1992, Page 42

Shell-outs

ST SWITHIN'S day has passed, 15 July, and let us hope it did not rain, as I firmly believe in the 40 days' rain thereafter. Did you realise that Napoleon surrendered on this day in 1815? I bet it rained on his parade. St Swithin, or Swithun, was a dear and holy creature, Bishop of Winchester, renowned for his saintliness, who died in 862 and at his own request was buried under the open sky, which I hope had the

while publisher, says this is very Scottish Almond meringues and they all eat out of tins. Anyway, have 4 egg whites enough mayonnaise to receive all the ingre- 8 oz caster sugar dients, add the cooled aspic (2 tablespoons 3 oz ground almonds melted in water or wine). Season to taste 1 teaspoon of almond essence (not flavour-

with the last four lines of the receipt, then ing)

Homard Drumkilbo

8 hard-boiled eggs, diced Home-made mayonnaise or a good commer- cial one 4 tomatoes, skinned, seeded and diced 4 oz shrimps, fresh, tinned or frozen 4 oz lobster, fresh, tinned or frozen Double-strength aspic jelly Salt and pepper Anchovy essence Worcester sauce Tabasco

I made some old-fashioned gooseberry fool the other day and, having no ratafias

Scallop and spinach dainties

(Francois Clerc) 16 large scallops 2 large onions 8 oz fresh spinach, washed 1 oz clarified butter 2 good-size tomatoes 5 tablespoons double cream 1 tablespoon lemon juice Salt, pepper and grated fresh nutmeg