Favorite Dishes.

by Carrie V. Shuman.

FAVORITE DISHES

A COLUMBIAN AUTOGRAPH SOUVENIR COOKERY BOOK.

OVER THREE HUNDRED AUTOGRAPH RECIPES, AND TWENTY-THREE PORTRAITS, CONTRIBUTED SPECIALLY BY THE BOARD OF LADY MANAGERS OF THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION

COMPILED BY CARRIE V. SHUMAN, CHICAGO, 1893

Favorite Dishes is due to the fact that the n.o.ble women who have labored for the best interests of mankind and womankind, in the development of the Women's Department of the World's Columbian Exposition, found time to contribute this collection of recipes, as a means of enabling the compiler to open an additional avenue for women to provide the necessary funds to pay the expenses of a visit to the Exposition.

The compiler is most happy to congratulate the Lady Managers and Lady Alternates of every State and Territory of the United States, including Alaska, upon the fact that their prompt responses to the statement of the object of this publication bring them together in this place as the exponents of the Art of Cookery, at this stage of its best development in this country, and as cheerful a.s.sistants of women who need the encouragement and blessings of their more fortunate sisters.

It is to be regretted that all of the letters of commendation cannot be published, but as they would alone const.i.tute a fair sized volume, only a few have been inserted.

TEA

Tastes differ as to which of the many kinds of tea is the best, and yet the general use of English Breakfast and Oolong warrants the recommending of these two teas as standard. The Chinese have taught us the correct idea of tea drinking; to have it always freshly made, with the water boiling, and to steep the leaves at table.

The tea table can be easily equipped now with a boiler in silver or bra.s.s, with alcohol lamp underneath; a tea caddy in china or silver, with teapot and cups before the hostess.

No set formula can be prescribed for quant.i.ty to each cup, but it averages one-half teaspoon of tea leaves.

Heat teapot by pouring in some hot water, let it stand a few moments and empty in a bowl for hot water on the table. Place tea leaves required in the pot, pour in boiling water, instantly replace the lid and let it steep a few minutes. It is then ready to serve. Use a small amount of sugar and no cream, as both cream and sugar detract from the correct flavor of tea.

For "Five O'clock Tea" a "teaball" is recommended. The teaball is convenient at all times, but especially upon an occasion when guests are coming and going. Keep the water on tea table constantly boiling and the teaball partly filled with tea leaves. A cup of tea can then be brewed quickly by dropping the ball into the cup, pouring boiling water over it, holding it in the cup (slightly moving the teaball around through the water), until the color is satisfactory to the drinker's taste. In this way three or four cups of tea can be served quickly and the flavor of the tea leaves preserved. If agreeable to the taste, a slice of lemon can be added to each cup and a few drops of arrack to make tea _a la Russe_.

CHOCOLATE

To make good Chocolate is not easy. One's own taste must be the guide regarding strength. Soften and smooth the chocolate with cold water in a jar on the range; pour in boiling water, then add milk, stirring constantly. Serve as soon as it boils. When each cup is filled with the chocolate, place two tablespoons of whipped cream on top.

COCOA

Cocoa has the same flavor as chocolate, but it is richer and more oily.

When made from the ground it can be prepared at the table, but it is better boiled a short time in water and thinned with hot milk.

Made from the sh.e.l.ls it requires a longer boiling. First wet two ounces of the cocoa sh.e.l.ls with a little cold water and pour over them one quart of boiling water. Boil for one hour and a half; strain and add one quart of milk, also a few drops of the essence of vanilla.

When it comes to a boil take immediately from the fire and serve.

COFFEE

The standard mixture of coffee is Java and Mocha; two-thirds Java and one-third Mocha, the former giving the strength, the latter the flavor. After roasting it should be kept in an air-tight can. Grind only so much each time as may be required. To one cupful of ground coffee add one beaten egg and four tablespoons of cold water; mix thoroughly in coffee pot and pour in one quart of boiling water. Stir the coffee until it boils, then place it on the back of the stove where it will simmer for ten minutes. Add a dash of cold water; wait a moment, then pour off carefully into silver coffee pot, which has been standing with hot water in it. Filippini's recipe for Black Coffee is as follows: "Take six scant tablespoonfuls of coffee beans and grind them in a mill. Have a well cleaned French coffee pot; put the coffee on the filter with the small strainer over, then pour on a pint and a half of boiling water, little by little, recollecting at the same time that too much care cannot be taken to have the water boiling thoroughly. When all the water is consumed, put on the cover and let it infuse slightly, but on no account must it boil. Serve in six after-dinner cups. Coffee should never be prepared more than five minutes before the time to serve."

BREAD

STEAMED BROWN BREAD. (A LA OAKLAND FARM.)

From MRS. VIRGINIA C. MEREDITH, of Indiana, Vice Chairman Executive Committee, and Lady Manager.

_It gives me great pleasure to send you an excellent recipe for steamed brown bread for your Colombian Autograph Cook Book.

I have great sympathy with your plan, and sincerely hope that the ladies of our Board will respond cheerfully to your requests. Very sincerely,_

One cupful of sweet milk; one cupful of sour milk; two cupfuls of corn meal; one cupful of wheat flour; one-half cupful of New Orleans mola.s.ses; one teaspoonful of soda. Steam three hours.

LIGHT BREAD.

From MRS. GOVERNOR JAMES P. EAGLE, of Arkansas, President of State Board and Lady Manager.

Take one teacup of _boiling water_; stir in corn meal to make a stiff mush; let stand over night in moderately warm place. Then take one cup of _fresh milk_ and one of warm water and heat together to a simmer and add to this the prepared mush, one tablespoonful of sugar and one teaspoonful of salt. To these ingredients add a little flour at a time, until you make a stiff batter. Place all in a milk- warm vessel of water, place near fire and keep warm until it rises-- about six hours. To this yeast add flour to make a stiff dough, using one tablespoon of lard and a little salt. Keep warm till it rises and bake about an hour and a half.

FRANKLIN GEMS.

From MRS. L. M. N. STEVENS, of Maine, Lady Manager.

Mix one-half pint of milk and one-half pint water, into which stir Franklin flour until about as thick as pancakes. Pour into a very hot, well b.u.t.tered gem pan and bake in a quick oven.

BAKING POWDER BISCUIT.