The Toronto Cook Book

In our social, club, charitable or political affairs we demand and strive for absolute capability in the same way that a man requires it in his office. Why, then, should not our homes receive the same careful attention to detail which would result in the bringing of them to the same state of smooth running efficiency ? There are, I fancy, few women who would combat agreement with the foregoing question; but the point is that, while there is a general theoretical agreement on the subject, there is also, unfortunately, a very general tendency to neglect the practice of, and even the endeavor toward day-to-day efficiency in the hum-drum, commonplace duties and cares of the home. While there are many classes of homes, the executive office lies absolutely with the mistress of the house, whether she be, in her own person, housekeeper, cook and maid or whether she is superintendent, over cook, housemaid, parlormaid, and what The Toronto Cook Book not. In the final outcome the mistress is the chief executive and the responsibility rests on her shoulders and her shoulders alone. One says, "As the twig is bent so is the tree inclined"; but one might also say "As the mistress knows so does the maid learn"; but the maid must learn. Learn primarily the importance of orderliness (which pre-supposes absolute cleanliness of utensils, dishes and the kitchen in general). Learn the necessity of putting every dish, cup, pan or piece of silver in the place where it belongs so that it can be under hand at a moment's notice. (This for you, too, Milady, who keeps house for herself.) The mere cooking of meals, washing of dishes, sweeping and dusting, do not, by any means, constitute either housekeeping or the duties of a maid. There are scores of things about a house that require attention — not, perhaps, every day, but periodically. Silver to polish; a mirror here or there that needs brightening; a window to be cleaned, or bric-a-brac to be washed — all small matters, mere detail, but all showing the wellkept home. Lack of space forbids the consideration of all the thousand and one minor matters of the household; but I wish to impress the necessity of attention to detail. A home is a thing of many details, in themselves trivial, in the mass, of first importance. The housekeeper or the maid (so far as the house is concerned) must live detail, think detail and breathe detail; for comfort comes as a result of attention to detail, detail and then more detail. TABLE OF CONTENTS Bread Making of Perfect Yeast Bread — To Make Two Loaves of Bread — How to Bake Bread — Heating of Oven — Rye and Graham Breads Boston Brown Bread and Baked Beans 11 Breakfast and Tea Cakes Rolls — Drop Cakes — Buns — Biscuits — Muffins — Toast — ■ Gems — Waffles, etc 26 Doughnuts, Gingerbreads and Cookies Strawberry Shortcake — Peach Shortcake — Cranberry Shortcake. . 45 Eggs and Omelets Omelets — Eggs — Macaroni and Cheese — Other Dishes 55 Sandwiches Club, Chicken, Egg, etc 61 Cheese Dishes Fondus — Macaroni and Cheese — Welch Rarebits, etc 63 Beverages Coffee Making — After Dinner Coffee— Chocolate — Refreshing Drinks etc 66 Candies Peanut Brittle — Chocolate Candies — Pop Corn Crisp and many other delicious confections 74 Ice Creams and Sherbets Frozen Fruits — Ices, etc 87 Chilled Jellied Desserts Creams — Mousses — Custards, etc ?. . . 97