Recipes Tried and True/Household Hints
The mother in her office holds the key of the soul, and it is she who stamps the coin of character and makes the being who would be a savage but for her gentle care, a noble man.
Beef, ten to twenty minutes to pound; mutton, ten to twenty minutes; lamb, fifteen to twenty minutes to pound; veal twenty minutes to pound; turkey (eight to ten pounds), not less than three hours; goose (seven to eight pounds), two hours; chicken (small), one hour to one and one-half hours; duck (small), one and one-half hours.
Two cups equal one pint; four cups equal one pound; two tablespoonsful of butter, sugar or salt equal one ounce; four tablespoonsful of flour equal one ounce.
- 2 cups granulated sugar,
- 2 cups solid butter,
- 4 cups flour—1 lb.
Teaspoonful borax put in last water in which clothes are rinsed will whiten them.
To remove tea or fruit stains spread the article out flat and pour boiling water through the stain.
To remove tar, rub with lard or butter, then rinse with warm water and soap.
Nose-bleeding is stopped by chewing a small wad of paper very hard. The motion of the jaws stops the flow of blood.
Or take a small piece of cotton, force it into one or both nostrils as may be needed by means of a pen holder or lead pencil. Do it gently as it must be tight to be effective.
To remove old tea, coffee, cocoa or chocolate stains, soak in cold water first, then use boiling water.
Cakes will not stick to the tins if placed on a damp cloth when removed from oven.
Rub very little rendered fat over potatoes before baking and they will be free from skin when opened.
When using lemons for any purpose for which the peel will not be required, grate the yellow part of the rind on enough granulated sugar to absorb the oil. Mix grated peel and sugar thoroughly and you will have a splendid lot of flavoring for the cost of the sugar.
Cold water, one tablespoonful of ammonia and soap will take out machine grease when other means would not answer on account of colors running, etc.
A dash of cold water against the face, will awaken a person who has fainted.
Ink spots on floor can be extracted by scouring with sand wet in oil of vitriol and water. When removed, rinse with strong pearl-ash water.
To remove paint from window glass: Rub it well with hot, sharp vinegar.
A stale egg rises in water; a fresh one is heavy and sinks to the bottom.
Cooking under the boiling point after the first ten minutes causes the toughest meat to become tender.
To avoid odor in cooking onions or cabbage, add one-fourth teaspoonful of soda, leave kettle uncovered and change water twice.
In making frozen puddings, fill mold to overflowing and cover with buttered paper, butter side up. At serving-time, wipe mold free from ice and salt and place in a vessel of cold water for one minute.
A bit of soft, folded paper inside an overshoe heel will prevent same from slipping and becoming useless and leaky through running down at the heel.
Cleaning Cream—For woolen garments of any description, dissolve four ounces of white Castile soap, cut up fine in one quart of soft water, over the fire. When dissolved, add four quarts more, four ounces of ammonia, two ounces of ether, two ounces of alcohol and one ounce glycerine. Bottle and this will keep forever.
Cleaning Oil Cloth—A dingy oil-cloth may be brightened by washing it with clear water and a little borax dissolved in it. Wipe it with a flannel cloth that you have dipped into milk and then wring as dry as possible.
For Slight Burns— A few teaspoons of bicarbonate of soda or washing soda in a glass of water make a useful lotion. Apply on gauze or handkerchief. Any fat as cold cream, soap or butter is useful.
For Sprains— Perfect rest, part sprained kept in elevated position, using cloths wrung out in very hot or very cold water.
To Clean Brass—To clean anything in brass no matter how dainty, take a cup of vinegar and one-half cup of table salt; put in a warm dish.
To Keep Bar Soap—Cut into pieces and put in a dry place, it is more economical to use after, it has become hard, as it does not waste so readily.
When possible, remove all stains while fresh.
Blood Stains—Wash in cold water until the stain turns brown; then rub with Fels naptha soap, and soak in warm water.
Glue Stains—Apply vinegar with a cloth.
Grease Stains— Place a blotter over stain and iron with a very hot iron.
Grass Stains—Wash with Fels naptha and water.
Ink Stains—Soak in sweet or sour milk.
Rust Stains on White Material—Soak spot with lemon juice, then cover with salt and place in the sun for several hours. Rinse thoroughly.
Heat Exhaustion—Remove to airy place. Give stimulants. Either strong ammonia, teaspoonful brandy, hot coffee, ½ teaspoonful of aromatic spirits of ammonia in little water.
Specks of dust, cinder or the like may be removed gently by a tiny bit of clean cotton rolled over the end of a toothpick.