It is well, just before the beef soup is sent to table, to drop into the
tureen poached eggs, which have been cooked in salted water, and neatly
trimmed. There may be an egg for each person at table. This is a
favorite soup in Havana. Or, Put into the tureen, just before the soup
is sent to table, slices of lemon--one slice for each plate. Or,
Yolks of hard-boiled eggs, one for each person. Or,
Put into the tureen _croûtons_ or dice of bread, say three-quarters of
an inch square, fried in a little butter. When frying, or rather
_sautéing_, turn them, that all sides may be browned. They may be
prepared several hours, if more convenient, before dinner; then left
near the fire, to become crisp and dry. This makes a very good soup, and
is also an excellent means of using dry bread. It is a favorite French
soup, called _potage aux croûtons_. Or,
Drop into the tureen force-meat balls.