strength. Kitchen scales are almost indispensable, and a cooking thermometer eliminates guesswork, especially in boiling sugar and heating fat for frying. Pans, molds, and cutters of various shapes prevent monotony; suitable baking dishes and covered casserole dishes simplify both cooking and serving; and food cooked or served in individual dishes is often more attractive. When the cogs of the egg beater slip, do not discard it, but tighten the rivet; keep knives well sharpened. Cream jars, jugs, bottles, or any other containers for which a charge is made, should be promptly returned to be credited.

FUEL

Do not waste fuel; concentrate your cooking; when a hot oven is needed for roasting meat or baking bread, plan to cook at the same time other things which require a high temperature; potatoes can be cooked in the pan with the meat; other vegetables and fruits can be cooked in the oven; and if a coal fire is used, a variety of food can be cooked in a steamer on top of the range without extra fuel.

Have the ashes sifted and save the cinders, which yield a quick top heat.

Economize gas by using the minimum amount necessary to keep food cooking at the desired temperature. When the boiling point is reached a small supply of gas will maintain the temperature.

Fireless cookers save much fuel and unnecessary heat, and are especially useful for any food which requires long, slow cooking, or for those foods of strong odor which so often scent up the whole house.

SPECIAL NOTICE

All ingredients in these recipes should be measured level, and the standard teaspoon, tablespoon, and half-pint measuring cup should be used.

Unless otherwise stated, one apple, onion, orange, etc., means one of medium size.

Sift flour before measuring, and fill cup lightly. Use pastry flour, unless otherwise directed, for thickening soups and sauces, and in all recipes where baking powder is used; use bread flour in all recipes where yeast is used.

The majority of these recipes are planned to serve four persons; those for chowders and other dishes which form the substantial part of the meal are sufficient for second helpings; those for cakes, muffins, and other breads are large enough to be served more than once.

CHAPTER II

COMMON WAYS OF COOKING FOOD

Baking is cooking in confined heat in the oven. Examples: bread, cake, meat. This method when applied to meat is commonly called roasting. Before baking, see that the oven is clean and heated to the desired temperature.

Boiling is cooking by immersion in water at 212° F. Examples: potatoes, cabbage, macaroni.

Braising is a combination of stewing on the top of the range, and baking in the oven, with or without vegetables. Examples: tough meats, fowl, whole liver.

Broiling or Grilling is cooking over or under direct heat, as over glowing coals or under a gas flame. Examples: steak, chops.

Fricasseeing is commonly a combination of stewing and sautéing. Examples: fowl, forequarter of lamb or veal.

Frying is cooking by immersion in hot deep fat. Examples: doughnuts, croquettes.

Pan-baking or Pan-broiling is cooking in a lightly greased or ungreased hot frying pan or griddle. Examples: steak, English muffins, griddle cakes.

Pot Roasting is cooking in an iron kettle or earthen pot in a small amount of water, after meat has been quickly browned in a small amount of fat in the frying pan or kettle. Cook slowly until very tender, with or without vegetables.

Roasting is cooking before an open fire. This method is seldom used in small households, although the baking of meats is commonly called roasting.

Sautéing is cooking in a small amount of fat in a shallow pan on top of range. Examples: sliced fish, meat, potatoes, eggs.

Simmering is cooking in liquid at 185° F. The bubbles should always be below the surface. Examples: ham, corned beef, soups.

Steaming. Dry Steaming is cooking by heat of steam, as in double boiler or tin, over or surrounded by boiling water. Examples: rice, brown bread. Moist Steaming is cooking by direct contact with steam as in a steamer or colander, over boiling water, closely covered. Examples: fowl, puddings, dumplings.

Stewing is cooking slowly in a small amount of water (about 160° F.) until food is very tender. Examples: beef, lamb, vegetables.

CHAPTER III

APPETIZERS AND RELISHES

1.—COCKTAIL SAUCE

Mix, and serve in four small glasses or lemon shells, with six small clams or oysters in each. Shrimps, prawns, or lobster may be used instead of clams or oysters.

2.—ASHEVILLE CANAPÉS

Peel and cut small tomatoes in quarter-inch slices; cut thin rounds of bread the same size as tomatoes; toast bread, spread with Mustard Butter (see No. 459), or salad dressing, and cover with a slice of tomato; season lightly with salt and pepper, and cover with thin slices of cooked chicken livers. Garnish with parsley.

3.—CLUB CANAPÉS

Mix devilled ham with a little grated cheese; spread on thin rounds of brown bread, and mark into quarters with finely chopped pickle. Chop fine the white of a hard-cooked egg, and cover two opposite quarters; press the yolk through a sieve, and cover the remaining quarters.

4.—CRAB MEAT CANAPÉS

Chop crab meat, mix well with seasonings, and spread on thin rounds of untoasted brown bread. Garnish with small cube of lemon.

5.—MOCK CRAB CANAPÉS

Use one cup of corn which has been drained from its juice; put through food chopper, using the finest cutter; add seasonings and cheese, and spread on small rounds of toast. Garnish with small pickles sliced lengthwise.

6.—GLOUCESTER CANAPÉS

Cook a small haddock roe in boiling salted water for fifteen minutes, remove skin, mash, add a tablespoon of butter, half a teaspoon of anchovy paste, one-fourth teaspoon of paprika, and enough cream to moisten; add salt if necessary. Mound on small rounds of toast, and garnish