Good Things to Eat as Suggested by Rufus Part 16

-COFFEE CREAM CAKES AND FILLING---Roll good plain paste three-eighths of an inch thick and cut in rounds and through a pastry tube force a cream cake mixture to make a border come out even with the edge of the round, and bake in a hot oven. Fill and frost. For the cream cake mixture put one cup of boiling water, one-half cup of b.u.t.ter and one level tablespoon of sugar together in a saucepan and boil one minute, then add one and three-quarters cups of flour all at once. Stir rapidly and when the cooked mixture cleaves from the pan add five eggs one at a time, beating well between each addition. Do not beat the eggs before adding.

-COFFEE ECLAIRS---Put one cup of hot water, one-half cup of b.u.t.ter and one-half teaspoon of salt in a small saucepan over the fire. The instant it boils add quickly one and one-half cups of sifted pastry flour. Stir thoroughly for five minutes, or till it all clears from the pan in a lump. Let it cool slightly and then add five eggs whole, one at a time.

Mix very thoroughly, then drop the dough with a spoon on to a b.u.t.tered baking pan in pieces about four inches long and one and one-half inches wide and some distance apart. Bake in a quick oven until well puffed up and done through; they will settle as soon as removed if not baked sufficiently. When cool, cut along one edge and fill with the prepared cream and frost with coffee icing.

-CRUMPETS---Scald two cups of milk, add four tablespoons of melted b.u.t.ter and when lukewarm one level teaspoon of salt and three and one-half cups of flour. Beat hard, add one-half yeast cake, dissolved in one-half cup of lukewarm water and beat again. Let rise until light, then grease large m.u.f.fin rings and set them on a hot griddle. Fill each ring not over half full and bake slowly until a light brown, turn rings and contents over, bake a little longer, then slip rings off. Serve hot.

If any are left over, split, toast and b.u.t.ter them.

-CRULLERS---Scald one cup of milk, and when lukewarm add one yeast cake dissolved in one-quarter cup of lukewarm water, and add one and one-half cups of flour and a level teaspoon of salt. Cover and let rise until very light; add one cup of sugar, one-quarter cup of melted b.u.t.ter, three well beaten eggs, one-half of a small nutmeg grated and enough more flour to make a stiff dough. Cover and let rise light, turn on to a floured board and roll out lightly. Cut into long narrow strips and let rise on the board. Now twist the strips and fry until a light brown color, and dust over with powdered sugar.

-DUTCH CRULLERS---Cream one cup of sugar and one-half cup of b.u.t.ter, add one egg and beat, then one cup of sour milk. Sift one level teaspoon of flour and add to the mixture, now beat in enough sifted pastry flour to make a dough that can be rolled out. Cut in rings and taking hold of each side of a ring twist it inside out. Fry in deep hot fat.

-INDIVIDUAL SHORTCAKES---Sift two cups of flour, three teaspoons of baking powder, and one-half level teaspoon of salt together. Add two well beaten eggs and one-half cup of melted b.u.t.ter. Beat and pour into greased m.u.f.fin pans until they are two-thirds full. Bake in a hot oven, then split and b.u.t.ter. Crush a quart box of any kind of berries, sprinkle with one-half of cup of sugar and use as a filling for the little shortcakes.

-RAISED DOUGHNUTS---Scald one cup of milk. When lukewarm add one-quarter of a yeast cake dissolved in one-quarter of a cup of lukewarm water, one teaspoon salt and flour enough to make a stiff batter. Let it rise over night. In the morning add one-third of a cup of shortening (b.u.t.ter and lard mixed), one cup light brown sugar, two eggs well beaten, one-half nutmeg grated and enough flour to make a stiff dough. Let it rise again, toss on floured board, pat and roll out. Shape with the biscuit cutter and work between the hands until round. Place on the floured board, let rise one hour, turn and let rise again. Fry in deep fat and drain on brown paper. Cool and roll in powdered sugar.

-SOUR MILK DOUGHNUTS---Beat two eggs light, add one cup of sugar and beat, one-half cup of b.u.t.ter and lard mixed, and beat again. Stir one level teaspoon of soda into one pint of sour milk, add to the other ingredients and mix with enough sifted pastry flour to make a dough as soft as can be rolled. Take a part at a time, roll half an inch thick, cut in rings and fry. Use nutmeg, cinnamon, or any flavoring liked.

These doughnuts are good for the picnic basket or to carry out to the boys at their camp.

-SUGAR COOKIES---Beat to a cream one cupful of shortening, half lard and half b.u.t.ter, one cupful granulated sugar. Add one cup rich sour cream and two eggs unbeaten, four cupfuls flour sifted with one teaspoonful soda and a half teaspoonful baking powder. Stir just enough to make a stiff dough, toss on to the lightly floured molding board and knead another cupful of flour into it. This mixing gives the cookies a fine grain. Flavor with a little nutmeg, roll out, cut into cookies, and bake.

-SOFT GINGER COOKIES---Put a level teaspoon of soda in a measuring cup, add three tablespoons of boiling water, one-quarter cup of melted b.u.t.ter or lard, a saltspoon of salt, a level teaspoon of ginger, and enough sifted pastry flour to make a dough as soft as can be handled. Shape small bits of dough, lay in the greased baking pan and press out half an inch thick; bake carefully.

CANDIES

-CANDIED VIOLETS---Gather the required quant.i.ty of perfect sweet violets, white or blue. If possible, pick in the early morning while the dew is still on them. Spread on an inverted sieve and stand in the air until dried, but not crisp. Make a sirup, using a half pound of pure granulated sugar and a half pint of water. Cook without stirring until it spins a thread. Take each violet by the stem, dip into the hot sirup and return to the sieve, which should be slightly oiled. Leave for several hours. If the flowers then look preserved and clear they will not require a second dipping, but if they appear dry as if some portions of the petals were not properly saturated, dip again. Now have ready a half cupful of melted fondant. Add a drop or two of violet extract and a few drops of water to reduce the fondant to a thin, grayish, paste-like consistency. Dip the flowers in this one at a time, dust with powdered crystallized sugar, and lay on oiled paper to harden. Rose leaves may he candied in the same way, subst.i.tuting essence of rose for the violet and a drop or two of cochineal to make the required color. A candy dipper or fine wire can be used for dipping the rose petals.

-CREAMED WALNUTS---Cook two cups of sugar and one-half cup of water together until the sirup threads. Add a teaspoon of vanilla, take from the range and beat until thick and creamy. Make small b.a.l.l.s of the candy and press half a walnut meat into each side. Drop on to a plate of granulated sugar.

-CRYSTALLIZED COWSLIPS---These make a prized English confection, much used for ornamenting fancy desserts. The flowers are gathered when in full bloom, washed gently and placed on a screen to dry. When this is accomplished the stems are cut to within two inches of the head and the flowers are then laid heads down on the tray of the crystallizing tin, pushing the stalks through so the flowers shall be upright. When full put the tray in the deep tin and fill with the same crystallizing sirup, pouring around the sides and not over the flowers. When dry, arrange in baskets or use in decorating.

-FRUIT PASTE---Take equal weights of nut meats, figs, dates and prepared seedless raisins. Wipe the figs and remove the stems, remove the scales and stones from the dates. Mix well and chop fine or run it all through a meat chopper. Mold it on a board in confectioners' sugar until you have a smooth, firm paste. Roll out thin and cut into inch squares or small rounds. Roll the edge in sugar, then pack them away in layers with paper between the layers.

-GLACE FIGS---Make a sirup by boiling together two cups of sugar and one and a half cups of water. Wash and add as many figs as can be covered by the sirup. Cook until they are tender and yellow, then remove from the fire and let them stand in the sirup over night. In the morning cook for thirty minutes, and again let them stand over night. Then cook until the stems are transparent. When cold drain and lay them on a b.u.t.tered cake rack or wire broiler and let them remain until very dry.

-PINEAPPLE MARSHMALLOWS---This is a good confection for Thanksgiving.

Soak four ounces gum arabic in one cupful pineapple juice until dissolved. Put into a granite saucepan with a half pound of powdered sugar, and set in a larger pan of hot water over the fire. Stir until the mixture is white and thickened. Test by dropping a little in cold water. If it "b.a.l.l.s," take from the fire and whip in the stiffly whipped whites of three eggs. Flavor with a teaspoonful vanilla or orange juice, then turn into a square pan that has been dusted with cornstarch. The mixture should be about an inch in thickness. Stand in a cold place for twelve hours, then cut into inch squares and roll in a mixture of cornstarch and powdered sugar.

-RAISIN FUDGE---Put into a saucepan one heaped tablespoon b.u.t.ter, melt and add one-half cup milk, two cups sugar, one-fourth cup mola.s.ses and two squares chocolate grated. Boil until it is waxy when dropped into cold water. Remove from fire, beat until creamy, then add one-half cup each of chopped raisins and pecans. Pour into a b.u.t.tered tin, and when cool mark into squares.

-SIMPLE WAY OF SUGARING FLOWERS---A simple way of sugaring flowers where they are to be used at once consists in making the customary sirup and cooking to the crack degree. Rub the inside of cups with salad oil, put into each cup four tablespoonfuls of the flowers and sugar, let stand until cold, turn out, and serve piled one on top of the other.

ICE CREAM AND SHERBETS

-BALTIMORE ICE CREAM---Two quarts of strawberries, two cups of granulated sugar, half cup powdered sugar, one pint cream, about two spoonfuls vanilla, half cup chopped nuts, heat the berries and sugar together, when cool mix other ingredients and freeze.

-BLACK CURRANT ICE CREAM---Stew one cupful black currants five minutes, then press through a fine sieve. Add a cupful rich sirup and a cupful thick cream, beat well, then freeze. When stiff pack in an ornamental mold, close over and pack in ice and salt. When ready to serve turn out on a low gla.s.s dish, garnish with crystallized cherries and leaves of angelica.

-FROZEN ICE---Cook one cup of rice in boiling salted water twelve minutes. Drain and put it in the double boiler, one quart milk, one cup sugar and one saltspoon salt. Cook till soft, then rub through a sieve.

Scald one pint of cream and mix with it the beaten yolks of four eggs.

Cook about two minutes, or until the eggs are scalding hot, then stir this into the rice. Add more sugar, if needed, and one tablespoonful vanilla. Chill and pack firmly in the freezer or round the mold. Turn out and ornament the top with fresh pineapple cut in crescent pieces or with quartered peaches and serve a fresh fruit sirup sauce with the cream.

-FRUIT ICE---Three lemons, three oranges, three bananas, three cups sugar, three pints cold water, by pressing juice from orange and lemons, strain well, peel banana, rub through strainer into the fruit juice, add the sugar, then the water, stir until the sugar is dissolved, pour into freezer. The ice that is used should be pounded until fine, and the right kind of salt should be used.

-ICE CREAM WITH MAPLE SAUCE---Scald one quart of cream, add one-half cup of sugar, a bit of salt, and when cold freeze as usual, first flavoring with vanilla or extract of ginger. Reduce some pure maple sirup by boiling until quite thick, stir into it some sliced pecans or walnuts and serve hot with each portion of the cream.

-PINEAPPLE CREAM---Two cups of water, one cup of sugar, boil fifteen minutes, let cool, add one can grated pineapple. Freeze to mush, fold in one-half pint of whipped cream, let stand an hour, but longer time is better.

-VANILLA ICE CREAM---Put two cups of milk in a double boiler, add a pinch of soda and scald, beat four eggs light with two cups of sugar, pour the hot milk on slowly, stirring all the time; turn back into double boiler and cook until a smooth custard is formed. Cool and flavor strongly with vanilla because freezing destroys some of the strength of flavoring. Stir in a pint of sweet cream and freeze.

-CRANBERRY SHERBET---This is often used at a Thanksgiving course dinner to serve after the roast. To make it boil a quart of cranberries with two cupfuls of water until soft, add two cupfuls sugar, stir until dissolved, let cool, add the juice of one or two lemons and freeze. This may be sweeter if desired. Serve in sherbet gla.s.ses.

-CURRANT SHERBET---Mash ripe red currants well and strain the juice. To two cups of the juice add two cups of sugar, two cups of water, and bring to boiling point. Cook a few minutes and skim well, then pour while hot slowly on to the whites of two eggs beaten stiff. Beat a few minutes, cool, and freeze.

-LEMON GINGER SHERBET---This is made the same as the lemon with the addition of four ounces of candied ginger cut in fine bits and added to the sirup with the grated yellow rind of a lemon. Boil until clear, add lemon juice and a little more of the rind and proceed as with the ice.