FoodNetArchive

The new practical housekeeping

1890

Page 258 · 3 recipe records on this page

Presented as published in 1890. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
* Watermelons must also be ihoroughlv chilled by standing on ice several hours and are served as fruit at dessert. The fruit may be cut as illustrated and sent to table on a border of green leaves, when it is served in slices with the rind attached ; or clip the ends of the watermelons, cut them across in halves, set upon the clipped ends on a platter, and serve the pulp only, removing it in symmetrical egg- shaped pieces with a spoon ; or if very large, cut across in thick slices, and serve in nice triangular shaped pieces "'^ ~~ on the rind. Some season with sugar and some with salt, and some not at all. Watermelons have been kept fresh until into the winter by gathering before quite ripe, wrapping in news- paper and packing in sawdust. Chestnuts, — To boil chestnuts, shell, and put- them into warm water, slightly salted, and cook fast fifteen ininutes. Turn off the water through a colander ; stir a good-sized piece of butter into the FKUIT.' 809 hot chestnuts, tossing them over and over until glossy and dry. Or put half an ounce aniseed into water enough for fifty chestnutsBoiled Chestnuts, and Doil, first clipping of the points ofiF the nuts. Serve on a hot'napkin in deep dish. For Stewed Chestnuts^ first roast them and when done, shell and put in a pan with water, allowing quarter of a pint to a pound of sugar and two pounds chestnuts. Stew fifteen min- utes, adding slowly the juice oi a lemon. Cocoa-nut — A nice dessert is made by grating a large cocoa-nut into a glass dish, serving with cream, preserves, jellies or jams. Co- coornut PulFs are also nice for dessert. To prepare, break a fine ripe cocoa-nut, lav pieces in cold water, drain anddry well, then grate and put in little heaps on a glass dish. Flatten the heaps in the center so as to make a noUow and fill with preserves. Whip a pint of rich creamCocoa-nut Dessert to a froth, sweeten and flavor with lemon ; pile this on top of tho preserves and serve. The little heaps should not be larger round than a dollar. To Dry Cocoa-nut^ grate three or four and put in pan with one cup sugar ; steam over a kettle of hot water until the sugar is melted ; set in the oven and stir frequently until dry. Salted Almonds. — Blanch shelled Jordan almonds, place in a bed of saltSalted Almonds in dripping pan, put in a rather slow oven, watch care- fully and when browned and nicely flavored, take out. A quantity can be made at a time. Serve as a last course at a dinner or even-, ing party. Walnuts and Hickory Nuts. — Crack and pick from shells; sprinkle salt lightly over and serve mixed in same dish. All nuts are much more wholesome when eaten with salt. Dried Fruits. In providing a supply of fruit for winter use, every experienced and economical housekeeper prepares an abundance of dried fruits. Drying is much less expensive than canning or preserving, and fruit wanted for pies, puddings, etc., is better if preserved in this manner, while many prefer the flavor of dried peaches, when properly done, to that of the finest canned fruit. Time and care are both required in its preparation, however, to attain satisfactory results. Always place to dry in the open air when possible, but when much fruit is dried, it is necessary to have a house for the purpose. Small quan- 310 DRIED FRUITS.