MILDRED'S SPRING VACATION
[Illustration]
"I WAS so afraid Father wouldn't let me come, Aunt Bettina!" exclaimed
Mildred, after the first greetings. "And your letter sounded so
jolly--about the cooking and all--well, if Father had said 'no' I should
simply have died."
"Died, Mildred?" asked Bob. "I must say you look fairly healthy to me,
too much so to pine away soon!"
"I don't intend to die now, Uncle Bob! I'm going to live and have the
most fun helping Aunt Bettina! I like that so much better than lessons.
I brought two aprons in my suit case; Mother said I acted as if I
wouldn't meet anybody in a three day visit but your kitchen stove. And
to tell the truth, Aunt Bettina, I just hope I won't! I'd rather help
you cook than see sights or meet people."
"Oh, dear!" exclaimed Bob tragically. "Just when I was counting on you
to climb to the dome of the capitol with me, too! Why was I ever born?"
"You'll have to do your climbing alone, I'm afraid," Mildred replied
cheerfully. "Now, Aunt Bettina, may I set the table for you? Do show me
what you are going to have for dinner! Little custards? Oh, how cunning!
Made in moulds and served cold with maple syrup? Aunt Bettina, I just
believe I could make that dessert myself! Will you teach me while I'm
here?"
The dinner consisted of:
Round Steak En Casserole Baked Potatoes
Lettuce Salad Bettina Dressing
Steamed Custard Maple Syrup
Coffee
BETTINA'S RECIPES
(All measurements are level)
=Round Steak En Casserole= (Three portions)
1 lb. round steak, cut one inch thick
1/2 C-flour
1 T-onion, cut fine
2 T-green pepper, cut fine
1 C-diced carrots
2 C-water
2 t-salt
Place the meat, which has been wiped with a damp cloth, upon a meat
board. Cut into four pieces. Pound the flour into the meat on both
sides, using a meat pounder or the side of a heavy saucer. Butter the
casserole, add a layer of meat, then onions and green peppers. Add the
carrots. Add the salt to the water and pour over the meat. Cover
closely. Place in a moderate oven and allow to cook slowly for two
hours. More water may be needed before the meat is done. Serve in the
casserole.
=Lettuce Salad= (Three portions)
6 pieces of lettuce
1/2 t-salt
Arrange the lettuce, which has been washed and chilled, upon three
plates. Sprinkle the lettuce with salt and serve with the following
dressing:
=Bettina Dressing=
2/3 C-salad dressing
1 t-olive oil
2 T-chopped pickle
1 T-chopped pimento
1 T-pimento catsup
1/4 C-celery, cut fine
2 T-nut meats, cut fine
1/4 t-salt
1/4 t-paprika
Beat the salad dressing, add the oil, pickle, pimento, catsup, celery,
nut meats, salt and paprika. Beat one minute. Pour three tablespoons of
the mixture over each portion of the lettuce. Serve very cold.
=Steamed Custard= (Four custards)
1-1/2 C-milk
2 eggs
3 T-sugar
1/4 t-salt
1/4 t-vanilla extract
1/4 t-lemon extract
1/8 t-grated nutmeg
Beat the eggs, add the sugar, salt, vanilla, and lemon extract. Mix
thoroughly. Butter four custard cups. Fill a pan four inches deep with
hot (not boiling) water. Set the cups in the pan and place in a
moderately slow oven for thirty-five or forty minutes (or until a knife
inserted in the custard comes out clean). Serve cold with maple syrup
poured over it.