Jasper County Democrat, Volume 7, Number 45, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 February 1905 — FOR THE HOUSEWIFE [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

FOR THE HOUSEWIFE

Choatlng Flili and Meat. The color and odor of meat are to be relied on as safe guides to the buyer. Young beef Is always bright red, the fat creamy white, and when fresh the meat smells fresh, in contradistinction to the rancid odor of long kept meat. Veal and lamb should have a deep pink tint and if killed when too young may readily lie recognized by the white appearance and lack of firmness. Fresh fish is easily recognized. The blood should he bright red and the gills the same color. If they are a brownish tint the fish lias been too long out of water. Besides this, a fresli flsli has a firm, dry, shiny appearance. Young mutton is a paler color than beef, more rosy in tone and should not have a “woolly” smell, which belongs to old mutton. The old test for fowls was to see whether the breastbone was pliable and tiiat the wings where they Join the body Avere soft and cartilaginous. 'Hie color should be a creamy white, and if it stands this test, be it chicken or turkey, it Is sure to be tender. Old fowls are dark and their fat yellow, and fowls too long on lee have an uncanny, bluish tinge.

Kidney Slew. Soak two beef kidneys in cold salt water for an hour. Then with a very sharp knife slice in even pieces, taking care to reject all gristle and fat. Throw as fast as cut into cold water. Wash well and put in a saucepan, allowing a pint of water to eacli kidney. Slice two small onions and add to the contents of the saucepan, together with two bay leaves, two stalks of celery and two sprigs of parsley. Let it come to a boil and skim. Then push back where the water will simply simmer for three hours or until the kidneys are tender. Drain and throw away the water, which will he too strong to use. If ready to use the kidneys, pour on just a little boiling water, simmer a few moments, add milk, then thicken with flour and season well with pepper, butter and more salt if necessary. Serve very hot with baked potatoes.

An Old Friend In New Guise. A genius has invented a dustpan which we would not recognize so entirely different is it from that which we have known from childhood. He has left no feature by which to recall the oid friend. In the first place, the new dustpan has a long handle, and this has the great advantage that It may be manipulated without stooping.

Another innovation in the construction of the iknv dustpan is that it is supplied with a circular top in two sections. When the dust has been swept into its capacious interior the weight of the contents will cause the box to close as the device is raised to be put away or carried to another place for further duty.

Barley Water. A favorite as well as nourishing drink for invalids is barley water. To prepare it place one quart of water in a saucepan over the fire. Wash well two ounces of pearl barley and throw into the water. Bring it to the boiling point, then add lemon and sugar to suit the taste. Draw the pan to the back of the fire and simmer geutly two hours. Strain and cover until cold.

Scalloped Fish.

Cut uncooked fresh fish into small pieces free from bone and season with salt and pepper. Fill a buttered baking dish three-fourths full with the prepared fish, cover with hot, sweet milk, sprinkle with breadcrumbs and bake in a moderate oven until the fish Is tender and the crumbs are brown.

To Core Bunion*.

To care bunions in winter wear two pairs of warm stockings and what is called the barefoot shoe or sandal. The barefoot shoe or sandal must fit exactly, so that there will not be the slightest pressure on the afflicted toe joint. Sea salt baths, warm ones, help to cure and sdothe the feet.

Pumpkin Bread.

Set the sponge as for white bread and when light add about one-fourth of Its bulk of pumpkin that has been stewed down dry and rubbed through a sieve; then add one ounce of butter and a little salt to it. Kqgad as usual and let rise again and finish as ordinary bread.

Air the Home,

Ten minutes’ airing of a house three times a day after each meal would be sufficient to exorcise the ghosts of departed dinners and give every room freshness and sweetness.

Drying the Laundry.

White articles should always be placed where they will receive the strongest sun, and colored pieces should be hang in the shade.

LONG HANDLED DUSTPAN.