GENERAL DIRECTIONSMUST BE CAREFULLY READ BY EVERY ONE USING THIS BOOK
MUST BE CAREFULLY READ BY EVERY ONE USING THIS BOOK
(Decorative Design)
Hints on Baking.—To achieve perfect success, the cook must use discrimination and care. Some flour requires more water, or milk, than others; so that the quantity may have to be varied to make dough of a proper consistency. Different bakings will vary as to time and heat required, and should, therefore, be examined occasionally. To ascertain whether the bread is sufficiently done in the center of the loaf or cake, thrust a clean straw or long thin splinter into it. If done, there will be no dough on it when drawn out. Measure the flour, andbe careful to mix with it the baking powder in a dry state, and before sifting. You can always substitute water for milk, or milk for water; butter for lard, or lard for butter. The number of eggs may be increased or diminished, or, in plainer cake, etc., dispensed with entirely. Where fewer eggs are used than directed, always use a little more baking powder.Never use sour milk.
Whenabout to cut new bread or cake, heat the knife very hot; this will prevent its crumbling.
Cake Baking.—For a plain cake made with one pound of flour, Royal Baking Powder, etc., the time to be allowed in baking would be from 40 to 50 minutes; at the outside not more than 1 hour. Very rich cakes, in which butter and eggs predominate, take, of course, very much longer time to bake, a pound cake taking from 1½ to 2 hours, and a bride’s cake 3½. On no account should an oven be too hot when the cake is put in—that is, hot enough to brown at once; if so, in 5 minutes the whole outside will be burned and the interior will stand little chance of being baked. The old plan of feeling the handle of the oven door to test the heat is not always successful; it is better to sprinkle a little flour inside and shut the door for about 3 minutes; if at the end of that time it is of a rich light brown, the cake may be put in, but if burned the heat must be lessened.
In baking loaf cake, remember that unless you place a piece of paper over for protection at first, a top crust will be formed at once that prevents the raising. When cake is well raised, remove the paper for browning on top.
Advice to the Cook.—Great cleanliness, as well as care and attention, are required from a cook. Keep your handsveryclean; try to prevent your nails from getting black or discolored; don’t “scatter” in your kitchen; clean up as you go; put cold water into each saucepan or stewpan as you finish using it. Dry your saucepans before you put them on the shelf. Scour tins with good mineral soap and rinse thoroughly in hot water. In cleaning a frying-pan, scour theoutsideas well as the inside. In cleaning greasy utensils, such as the soup-pot and frying-pan, wipe off the worst of the grease with soft paper (which can be burned), then soak in warm water to which soap-powder or a little ammonia has been added, finishing with mineral soap. Wash your pudding-cloths,scald, and hang them to dry directly after using them; air them before you put them away, or they will be musty: keep in dry place. Be careful not to use a knife that has cut onions till it has been cleaned. Keep sink and sink-brush very clean; be careful never to throw anything but water down sink. Do not throw cabbage water down it; throw it away out of doors; its smell is very bad. Never have sticky plates or dishes; use very hot water for washing them; when greasy, change it. Take care that you look at the meat the butcher brings, to see that it is good. Let there be no waste in the kitchen.
(Decorative Design)