CHRISTMAS GIFTS
"SPEAKING of Christmas gifts," said Charlotte, "wouldn't anyone be
delighted to receive a little jar of your Russian dressing, Bettina?"
"I'm sure I'd like it!" said Frank Dixon. "Much better than a pink
necktie or a white gift book called 'Thoughts at Christmas-Tide!'"
"Mary Owen makes candied orange peel for all of her friends," said
Bettina, "and I think that is so nice, for hers is delicious! She saves
candy boxes through the year, and all of her close friends receive the
same gift with Mary's card. We all know what to expect from her, and we
are all delighted, too. And you see she doesn't have to worry over
different gifts for each one. I do think Christmas is growing more
sensible, don't you?"
"My sister in South Carolina sends out her Christmas gifts a few weeks
early," said Frank. "She sends boxes of mistletoe to everyone. They seem
to be welcome, too. By the way, Bob, did you and Bettina decide on your
Christmas cards?"
"Yes," said Bob, "and they are partly ready. But we are waiting to get a
little picture of the bungalow with snow on the roof--a winter picture
seems most appropriate--and the snow isn't forthcoming! The weather man
seems to be all upset this year."
"Charlotte has been making some small calendars to send out," said
Frank. "She has used her kodak pictures, and I'm afraid they're mostly
of me! I don't know what some of my friends will say when they see me
with an apron around my neck, seeding cherries!"
"They'll be surprised, anyhow," said Charlotte. "I rather like that
picture myself!"
For dinner that night Bettina served:
Escalloped Oysters Baked Potatoes
Head Lettuce Russian Dressing
Baking Powder Biscuits Apple Jelly
Prune Whip Cream
Coffee
BETTINA'S RECIPES
(All measurements are level)
=Escalloped Oysters= (Four portions)
2 C-oysters
2 C-cracker crumbs
3 T-melted butter
1 t-salt
1/4 t-pepper
1-1/2 C-milk
Look over the oysters carefully and remove any particles of shell. To
the melted butter add salt, pepper and cracker crumbs. Place a layer of
crumbs in the bottom of a well buttered baking dish, and add the oysters
and more crumbs until the dish is filled. Pour the milk over the oysters
and crackers. Bake twenty minutes in a moderate oven.
=Russian Dressing= (Four portions)
1 C-salad dressing
1 t-chopped pimento
1 t-chopped green pepper
1 t-vinegar
1/2 t-paprika
1/4 t-salt
1/2 C-olive oil
1/2 C-chili sauce
To the cup of salad dressing, add the oil, chili sauce, seasonings,
vinegar and finely chopped vegetables. Beat two minutes. Pour over head
lettuce.
=Prune Whip= (Four portions)
1/3 lb. prunes
3 egg-whites
1 T-lemon juice
1/2 C-sugar
Look over and wash the prunes. Soak for three hours in cold water. Cook
until soft. Rub through a strainer, and add the sugar and lemon juice.
Cook this mixture for five minutes. Beat the egg whites until very
stiff, and add the prunes when cold. Pile lightly into a buttered baking
dish and bake twenty minutes in a slow oven. Serve with cream.