FoodNetArchive

Mrs. Lincoln's Boston cook book

1884

Page 73 · 4 recipe records on this page

Presented as published in 1884. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
Cream ^ scalded milh^ and hlock sugar are essential to good breakfast coffee. Put in one tahlespoonfal of cream and tivo tahlespoonfids of milk^ and fill the cup three fourths full. Never fill to overflowing. Let each person add the sugar desired, unless 3^ou know the individual tastes of the fam- ily. The milk should be just hot, but never boiled, as boiled milk gives a very unpleasant flavor. After-dinner coffee^ or hlack coffee^ is made b}' either of the receipts previously given, using double the proportion of coffee : two heaping tablespoonfuls of coffee to one cup of water. It should be very strong and perfectly clear ; served in small cups, with block sugar if desired, but not with cream or milk, as the milk counteracts the purpose for which the coffee is taken. The addition of three tablespoonfuls of whipped cream to a cup of coffee gives Vienna CoffeeVienna Coffee, An equal amount of boiled milk and filtered coffee is called Cafe cm Lait, Cocoa and Chocolate. Cocoa is the fruit of a small tree which grows in Mexico, Central America, and the West Indies. The fruit is shaped The Boston Cook Book, 117 like a large, thick cucumber, and contains from six to thirt}^ beans. The beans are roasted, like coffee. The husks or shells are taken off, and used in that form as cocoa shells. The}' need longer boiling, and are preferred by many persons with weak digestion. They are some- times ground with the bean, making an inferior article of cocoa. Starch is also used to adulterate cocoa. The best cocoa is made from the whole bean after the husk is re- moved. Cocoa nibs are the beans broken instead of ground. Chocolate is the finely ground powder from the kernels mixed to a stiff paste with sugar, and sometimes flavored with vanilla. It is the most nutritious and convenient form of cocoa ; a small cake of it will satisfy hunger. It is a very good lunch for travellers. If the oily scum which forms on the surface after boiling be removed, it is less indigestible. Chocolate does not produce the injurious effects which render tea and coffee objectionable, and is far better for children and working-people. Cocoa. Put half a cup of broken cocoa into a pot with two quarts of water. Boil gently two hours, until reduced to one quartCocoa ; or use half cocoa and half shells. Serve with sugar and cream., or scalded milk. It is more digestible if allowed to cool and the globules of fat removed, then reheated. Prepared Cocoa. This ground cocoa comes in many forms, and some are recommended to be prepared at the table ; but all kinds are better boiled one minute in a very little water, the same as chocolate, and thinned with hot milk. Shells. Steep one cup of shells in one quart of boiling water three or four hours, adding more hot water as it boils awa}-. Strain, and serve with hot milk, or cream and sugar. ii8 The Boston Cook Book. Chocolate. Put one square of Baker's chocolate^ two tahlespoonfuls of sugar ^ two tahlespoonfuls of hot water ^ and a pinch of salt in a small saucepan, and boil until smooth ; stir constantl}' ; add gradually one pint of boiling water ^ and when read}^ to serve add one pint of hot milk. Use all milk and two squares of chocolate^ if liked richer ; or thicken with one teaspoon- fal of cornstarch wet in a little cold water ^ and boil five min- utes before adding the milk. German, or Sweetened Vanilla Chocolate. German, or Sweetened Vanilla Chocolate