FoodNet

Food and freedom

1918

Page 53

Presented as published in 1918. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
Narrow, open, painted shelves for the china, with hooks for cups and pitchers, are more practical than the deep closet, or a dresser with doors. These shelves should be located in convenient relation to both the sink where the dish-washing is done and the dining-room table. 4. Making use of all practical step- and labor-saving devices: A "tray-wagon" or a "wheel-tray," on rolling casters or small wheels, also finished in a hard enamel paint, and complete with a series of shelves, including one sliding shelf or drawer — with partitions — for holding all flat silver in constant use, will further simplify service and make every meal comfortable for every member of the family. If such an "assistant" is cleverly used, it is easily possible to serve an entire meal without any one leaving the table at any time. < This tray should have a permanent place in the kitchen near both stove and sink, so that it can be of equal service for carrying food from the stove to the table, as well as soiled dishes from the table to the sink. 132 FOOD AND FREEDOM The mai:iy interesting glass and earthen baking- dishes which meet every requirement of perfect cooking and perfect service suggest another means of saving labor, for the one dish "both cooks and serves." Paper dishes are practical at times. When pur- chased by the gross from a wholesale paper- goods concern they are much less expensive than when purchased by the dozen in a department store. Cooking at the table is another happy thought. An electric chafing-dish, coffee-pot, toaster, or one of the fascinating "table-stoves" can save many steps and will take good care of the small family. The picnic-basket — fortified with an alcohol- kettle or a vacuum bottle — might be used much more frequently than it is. Instead of closing the eyes to the sunshine and the flowers as a sterner conscience whispers "dinner," why not spread a cloth under the protecting branches of an apple-tree just bursting into bloom, and in- vite family and friends to a meal in fairy-land? Every one will be the better and happier for such a treat. Call it an apple-blossom party if you will, and have one on the first warm day when the blossoms open, and another the next, and still another before the blossoms fall. 5. Enlisting the interested co-operation of all mem.bers of the family. By taking turns in caring for the table, children can be taught housekeeping, as well as service for others, in a happy, practical, wholesome way. TKE r^ZV^ ■■jr>K PUBLIC LIBRARY ASTOR, LENOX TILDLliN i^CUKD .TIQN' SERVING THE MEALS 133 6. Organizing some effective method of caring for the dish -washing problem, as follows: EHminate as much dish-washing as possible by simplifying meals and service, as suggested. Install proper dish-washing equipment: A large, white-enameled or porcelain sink — in- stalled at the proper height, near a window with a pleasant outlook — and running hot water in abundance are the first requisites of simplified dish-washing. The following small equipment kept near the sink, in some orderly arrangement, will further simplify the work: Porcelain jar for soap-powder. Porcelain jar for soda. Ammonia. Reliable friction cleanser. Steel wool for cleaning aluminum, etc. Faucet soap -dish, with neutral soap. Copper dish-mop. Copper dish-cloth. Sink strainer. Bottle-brush. Utility brush. Cork knife-cleaner. Small emery -stone.