FoodNetArchive

Twentieth century home cook book

1905

Page 5 · 2 recipe records on this page

Presented as published in 1905. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
Rolls and Biscuit. — Rolls and biscuit should bo baked quickly ; they should be brushed with warm water before being put in the oven. If a glaze is desired, brush lio-htly with a mixture of milk and sugar. Baking powders should always be of the best, and when used, get the dough into the oven as quickly as possible after being moulded. Gems, Fritters, etc. — The pans for what are called gems, should always be hot, and be well buttered before the gems are put in. Bake quickly. In makino- fritters, use haste, but beat the batter thoroughly, and cook at once. Pancakes should also be well beaten, and if eggs are used, these should be beaten separately, and added the last thing. 18 TWENTIETH CENTURY IIOilE COOK BOOK. Sponge. — To make sponge, sift the flour, and in tlie middle of it pour the yeast, mix thorouo'hly, adding kikewarni water, from time to time, as needed, so the whole will be like thick batter. Pour this slowly on flour. If made at night, work the first thing in the morning, using flour enough to make the dough of the proper consistenc}^ Some persons mould once and liake, and others work the dough the second time. When risen, put in the oven at once, and bake an hour for ordinary sized loaves. III. Yeast and Yeast-making. Within the last few years, grocers in cities and principal towns keep compressed yeast, in its natural and moist state. This is made from the superfluous yeast of brew, eries and distilleries, and also, by brewing, directly, as an article of commerce. Dried yeast or yeast-cakes are also universally sold. They are not always good. The working principle of all yeast is a plant — a microscopic fungus — and to the ordinary observer, yeast is simply a thick, creamy froth, which causes bread to rise, and beer and other liquids to ferment. If the fermentation goes too far, the bread or liquid becomes sour. The next stage is mold. The purer the yeast, the less liable are sub- stances to run into acid fermentation and mold. The recipes which we give will fully provide for all that is necessary for household purposes. Hop Yeast and Yeast-Cakes. — To a handful of good hops, add a quart of water; boil until reduced one-half; strain, wipe out the vessel, return the liquid, and set over the fire again. While the hops are boiling, mix enough flour with a little cold water to make it as thick as stiff starch. When it begins to boil after returning it to the vessel, stir in the dissolved flour. Let it boil a few minutes, then set it to cool. When cool enough stir in some good j-east or a dissolved yeast-cake, and a tablespoonful or a httle more of sugar. Pour into a jug, cork, and let it woi-k. It is best to set it in something suitable, in case it should work and run over before you are awai-e, and _vou lose a good deal. After it works, cork tight, and keep in a cool place. To make the cakes, sift into a pan one-third of flour and two-thirds of mealHop Yeast and Yeast-Cakes, as fine as you can, that there may be as little meal as possible in your bread; pour in the yeast, and work well into a stiff dough. Make off into cakes the size of a small teacup, and about three-quarters of an inch thick; dry in the shade. From this start 3'ou may have perpetual yeast by taking off a piece of dough after it has risen for bread, and working it with your hands in water enough to make a thick batter, and then sifting in meal enough to make the cakes as before stated ; or a piece of the risen dough will raise another batter of dough the same as the yeast. Hop Yeast, No. 2. — One and one-half pounds of grated raw potato, one quart of boiling water in which a handful of hops have been boiled, one teacup of white sugar, one-half teacup of saltHop Yeast, No. 2. When almost cold put a little good yeast to start it, say about half a pint. One pint of this yeast makes four good-sized loaves of excellent bread. . ^ BREAD-MAKING. 19