Foods and home making

Why are eggs a valuable food ? When you poached the egg you noticed that the egg became firm when it was cooked. Heat appeared to change the egg from a liquid to a solid substance. The reason why an egg changes in this way as it heats is that it contains proteins. Do you remember that you learned proteins were body-building foods, and that they are present in milk and A B Figure 32. A, Composition of Whole Egg ; B, Composition of Whi-e and of Yolk Note that the whole egg is about three fourths water, one sixth proteins, one tenth fat and one hundredth ash. Egg yolks contain vitamins A + + +, B + +, C -?, D + + , E +, G + + +. (See note 1, page 37.) Both the white and the yolk contain proteins. Most of the fat is contained in the yolk. The yolk contains more ash than the white. in cereals? There are many, many different kinds of proteins. Eggs contain very valuable proteins. We consider eggs protein- rich foods. Study Figure 32 to learn more about eggs. Why is bacon often used for breakfast ? Bacon is a very appetizing food ; its flavor is pronounced. Such foods as cereals, bread, and eggs have a mild flavor. Bacon with its decided flavor tastes good with these foods. This is one of the reasons why bacon is often chosen as a breakfast dish. Bacon is easily digested. “ It is the first meat recommended for children because it is easily digested.” 1 1 See page 9 of Selection and Use of Bacon by Alice M. Child, Division of Home Economics, University Farm, St. Paul, Minnesota. IOO Breakfast Although bacon comes from the side of a hog, its flavor is quite different from that of fresh pork. Its different flavor is due to the fact that it is smoked or cured somewhat as is ham. What are some points in selecting bacon? Sliced bacon wrapped in packages or packed in a glass jar is usually of good quality and is in a convenient form, but it costs more than that which is bought by the piece or pound. Bacon bought in this way may be sliced by the market man or in the home. Some dealers slice bacon and sell it by the pound. In buying bacon note the firmness of the fat and the amount of lean meat. The fat should be firm and there should be fat and lean intermixed. To slice bacon at home, place it on a board or table with the skin or rind down. With a sharp knife, cut it to the rind in thin slices of even thickness. Cut as many slices as are needed, then cut the rind from the slices. If the bacon is cold, it can be cut more easily. How is bacon cooked? The following methods of cooking bacon were worked out at the University of Minnesota as being among the most satisfactory.1 PAN-BROILED BACON 1. Place a single layer in a cool frying pan. 2. Place over a low heat. 3. Turn frequently. 4. Drain excess fat frequently so the bottom of the pan is only well greased. 5. When bacon is light golden brown and evenly crisped, remove from pan to hot platter. BACON COOKED IN THE OVEN 1. Place cold slices of bacon in a cold dripping pan. 2. Place dripping pan on a rack in the middle of a hot oven — 400° F. (Best results are obtained if bacon is turned frequently.) 3. When large quantities of bacon are cooked, the oven method is quick and convenient. 1 See page 9 of Selection and Use of Bacon by Alice M. Child, Division of Home Economics, University Farm, St. Paul. Minnesota Eggs, Bacon, and Other Breakfast Dishes ioi