RUTH'S PLANS
"AND so, Bettina," said Ruth, sitting down on the high stool in
Bettina's neat little kitchen, "Fred says we will begin the house early
in the spring--as early as possible--and be married in May or June."
"What perfectly splendid news!" said Bettina. "I'm just as glad as I can
be!"
"We've waited so long," said Ruth, wistfully. "Of course, if it hadn't
been for the war--it did interfere so with business, you know--we would
have been married last spring."
"I know," said Bettina, sympathetically, "but you'll be all the happier
because you have waited."
"I'll want you to help me a great deal with my plans," said Ruth. "I've
had time to do lots of sewing, of course, but I haven't thought anything
about the wedding except that it will be a quiet one. And I want to ask
you so much about house furnishings--curtains, and all that."
"I'd love to help!" cried Bettina with enthusiasm. "There isn't anything
that is such fun. Oh, Ruth!"
"Gracious me! What?" cried Ruth, for Bettina had jumped up suddenly.
"Poor Ruth," laughed Bettina, "I didn't mean to frighten you. I forgot
my cake, that was all, and I was afraid it had burned. But it hasn't. A
minute longer though--you know a chocolate cake does burn so easily. But
it's all right. However, you must admit that I did pretty well not to
burn it while I was listening to wedding plans!"
That night Bettina served for dinner:
Swiss Steak Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Creamed Cauliflower
Bread Butter
Chocolate Nougat Cake
Coffee
BETTINA'S RECIPES
(All measurements are level)
=Swiss Steak= (Three portions)
1 lb. of round steak two-thirds of an inch thick
5 T-flour
1 bay leaf
1/4 t-salt
1/8 t-pepper
1/2 C-water
1 T-onion
2 cloves
1 T-bacon fat
Wipe the steak with a damp cloth, trim the edges to remove any gristle,
and pound the flour into the meat, using a side of a heavy plate for the
pounding. This breaks up the tendons of the meat. Place the bacon fat in
a frying-pan and when hot, add the meat. Brown thoroughly on each side.
Lower the flame. Add the bay leaf, salt, pepper, onion and water. Cover
with a lid and allow to cook slowly for one and a half hours. More water
may be needed if the gravy boils down. Pour the gravy over the meat when
serving. This recipe is good for the fireless.
=Mashed Sweet Potatoes= (Two portions)
3 good-sized sweet potatoes
2 C-water
1/2 t-salt
1 T-butter
2 T-milk
1/4 t-paprika
Wash the potatoes and remove any bad places. Add the water, and cook
gently until tender. Drain, and peel while still hot, by holding the
potatoes on the end of a fork. Mash with a spoon or a potato masher,
adding the salt, butter, milk and paprika. Beat one minute. Pile lightly
in a buttered baking dish, and place in a moderate oven about twenty
minutes until a light brown.
=Chocolate Nougat Cake=
4 T-butter
2/3 C-sugar
2 squares of chocolate
2 T-sugar
2 T-water
1 egg
1/2 C-milk
1-1/3 C-flour
2 t-baking powder
1/2 t-soda
1/2 t-vanilla
Cook the two tablespoons of sugar, water and chocolate together for one
minute, stirring constantly. Cream the butter, add the sugar, the whole
egg and the flour, baking powder and soda sifted together. Add the
vanilla. Beat two minutes. Pour into two square layer-cake pans prepared
with waxed paper. Bake twenty-two minutes in a moderate oven. Chocolate
cakes burn easily and they should be carefully watched while baking.
Ice with White Mountain Cream Icing.