Lessons in cooking through preparation of meals

In the inner part of a double boiler place 2 cups of cold water, freshly drawn, add ^ teaspoon of salt and sprinkle in }i cup of rolled oats ;. put the double boiler over the fire and cook for an hour or two without stirring; do this the night before and reheat before serving. The dissolved air in fresh water keeps flaked cereals light. Compare results with the ordinary method of cooking oatmeal as given in Lesson I and decide which you prefer. Baking-powder Biscuits Into a mixing bowl sift 2 cups of flour with 4 teaspoons baking powder and ^ teaspoon salt; with the tips of the fingers work into the flour >4 tablespoon butter and ^ tablespoon lard; add gradually about ^ cup of milk or water, and with a knife mix with the flour to a soft dough; turn onto a floured board and roll lightly to yi inch in thickness ; cut with a biscuit cutter and bake 12 to 15 minutes in a hot oven. (Double the quantity of shortening if desired.) In preparing this breakfast, first light the gas under the cereal, then put on a kettle of water to heat and next light the burners for the biscuit; get out the materials and make the biscuits. While baking, grind and make the coffee. See that the table is in readiness. Serve fruit, then cereal, with biscuits and coffee. Thursday Lesson 11 MACARONI AND CHEESE - BREAD AND BUTTER WHOLE MILK QUINCE AND APPLE PRESERVE Macaroni and Cheese Break ^4 package macaroni into pieces i inch or longer; cover with boiling salted water and cook until tender, usually 20 minutes or thereabouts. Drain, turn into a colander, place under the cold water faucet and let the cold water run through the macaroni until it is white and free from all the stickiness usually found when freshly boiled. Now mix together or arrange in layers in a baking dish 1 pint of the cooked macaroni and 1 cup of thin white sauce, seasoned with salt and pepper and ^ cup grated or chopped cheese ; sprinkle the top with buttered crumbs and bake in a hot oven until heated throughout and browned on the top. Preparing the Meal About 1 hour before lunch time start the macaroni to cooking and then make the white sauce, using 2 tablespoons butter and 1 tablespoon flour to 1 cup of milk. When the macaroni is cooked and ready to be mixed with the sauce, light the oven and then arrange the macaroni in a baking dish. A few minutes before it is done cut the bread and butter and put the milk on the table ready for luncheon. While the macaroni is in the oven the dishes used in boiling it and also in making the white sauce may be washed, thus leaving only the dishes actually used on the table to be washed after lunch. Thursday Lesson 12 CREAM OF TOMATO SOUP CRACKERS BROILED SKIRT STEAK CREAMED POTATOES PICKLES BAKED CUSTARD Cream of Tomato Soup In a saucepan melt 3 tablespoons butter and to it add 3^ tablespoons flour; stir to a smooth paste, then add 2 cups canned tomatoes, gradually blending with the flour mixture; now add }i teaspoon soda, 1 teaspoon salt and a slice of onion. Return to the fire and cook 5 minutes; strain and cool. When cold add ij^ cups cold milk, heat and serve. Broiled Skirt Steak