Book Description

Introduction Meals of many courses are neither practical nor popular with the modern hostess. For a company luncheon or supper it is not necessary to serve more than a hot dish, a salad, a biscuit or sandwich, a dessert and a beverage. A first course and a relish may be provided if desired. Sunday Night Suppers The following menus were arranged especially as Sunday night suppers, but they are equally suitable for midday luncheons or high teas. Many of the dishes will be found desirable for afternoon teas or evening spreads, and for use in tea and lunch rooms, and for automobile picnics. Preliminary Preparations Preparations for Sunday night suppers should be made on Saturday as far as possible. For a luncheon it is a help to have some things done the day before. For picnics and parties much must be done in advance. As an aid to the hostess we have listed after each menu what these preliminary preparations may be. Cooking at the Table Many of the hot dishes may be prepared in a chafing dish or on an electric grill. For these, much of the measuring may be done in advance, the ingredients being put in small dishes on a tray. Coffee and tea may be made at the table with electric appliances. Sandwiches and Biscuits Sandwiches may be made and wrapped first in dry cheesecloth, then in damp cheesecloth, and placed in a covered crock some hours before a meal. The hot biscuits may be replaced by rolls or bread and butter if desired. Automobile Picnics For picnics the beverages and hot dishes may be prepared at home and carried in thermos food jars. The cold dishes may be packed in a small portable refrigerator. The biscuits, sandwiches, cakes, and cookies should be carefully wrapped in wax paper and packed in boxes. Ice creams may be taken in the freezer. Hot sandwiches and bacon may be cooked over the coals or on a portable oil or alcohol stove. In some menus it may be desirable to omit or modify a few of the dishes, if food is to be carried several miles. Market Orders Supplies for use on Sunday evening should, of course, be purchased on Saturday. To prevent any mistakes in ordering we have listed under each menu the foodstuffs that will be required. Supplies that are usually kept on hand are not listed, as Baking powder Cayenne Cornstarch Bread flour Pastry flour Molasses Mustard Paprika Pepper Rock salt Table salt Granulated sugar Soda Spices, whole and ground Table sauce Vanilla Vinegar How to Buy Some things are listed in the market orders that many people always have on hand. This is for the benefit of those who do not prepare all their meals and have little space for seldom used supplies. As far as feasible the amounts of material in the market orders are such as could be purchased. They may differ somewhat from the amounts called for in the recipes, thus leaving some foodstuff on hand. In many cases it may be more economical to purchase in larger quantities than those given. In some cases smaller amounts are called for than can be purchased, as one-half can, or one-fourth cup, in case supplies on hand are adequate without purchasing more than required. Butter only is given in the market orders. In cooking, margarine, lard, and other shortenings may be used instead, if preferred. Measurements In all recipes measurements are made level. Measuring cups, divided into thirds and quarters, are used, and tea and table measuring spoons. Cups of dry material are filled to overflowing by putting the material into the cup with a tablespoon, and are then leveled off with a knife. Tea and tablespoons are filled heaping with dry material, and then leveled off with a knife. Flour should be sifted once before measuring.