Zurich Herald, 1956-03-15, Page 2TABLE TALKS
eiavz Ambews
In old-time baking, measur-
ing was a matter of judgment.
Recipes called for "butter the
size of an egg," a "heaping cup
ani sugar," or "enough flour to
stiffen." The results varied with
each cook, and with every trial.
No wonder baking was a hard-
won art!
* r *
Today, there's no need for
guesswork. Modern testes. reci-
pes all talk a common language.
They are founded upon exact,
standard measurements — the
use of standard measuring cups,
standard measuring spoons, and
level measures. These measures
are the same in every kitchen.
They make it possible to get the
same fine baking results, every
time.
• * *
So use standard tools for your
baking. You can buy these in
almost any town. You need
standard measuring cups, one
for the dry ingredients, another
for liquids, and one or two sets
of standard measuring spoons.
With this simple but correct
equipment it is possible to mea-
sure acurately every ingredient
called for in the usual baking
recipe.
* * *
A standard measuring cup is an
accurate half-pint measure—the
equivalent of 16 level table-
spoons. It is grooved on one side
to read 1/4, 1, and %; on the
other, to read 1/3 and %. For
measuring liquids a glass mea-
suring cup is convenient, as the
top extends above the cup line
and so prevents spilling. A set of
graduated measuring cups has
advantages, too, for level mea-
surements of 1, Viz, 1/3, and 1/4-
eup amounts of dry ingredients
or shortening. -
*
A set of standard measuring
spoons includes one tablespoon
one teaspoon, one half -teaspoon,
and one-quarter teaspoon. The
tablespoon is the equivalent of
3 level teaspoons.
All measurements are level.
That's the success rule for every
modern recipe. The exact tech-
nique for measuring each ingre-
dient is given here. This is the
way to get uniform, exact mea-
sures every timel
e
SWEET ARRANGEMENT — if you
have a nice taste in flowers,
you'd enjoy this floral offering.
Blossoms of sugar and a vase
orf almond paste are placed on
display at a pastry and confec-
tion show in Pari, France, by
master confectioner Jean De -
1 eux.
Flour has a tendency to pack
on standing. So always sift flour
once before measuring. Remem-
ber, the woman too busy to bo-
ther to sift may put an extra
half -cup of flour in her cake
and ruin it.
Lift the sifted flour lightly by
spoonsfuls into the measuring
cup and level off by drawing the
edge of a spatula or straight
knife across the top. (Do not
press flour or shake it down in
cup.)
* * *
For fractions of cup, fill cup
slightly to the proper fraction
mark. Or use the correct mea-
sure of your set of graduated
cups; fill and level off as just
directed.
Use a dry standard measuring
baking powder. Even a little
too much or too little can give
disappointing results. Be sure to
use the baking powder called for
in the recipe and the exact
amount specified.
Use special care in measuring
spoon. Dip the spoon into the
baking powder and fill it full.
Then level off spoon lightly with
edge of spatula or straight knife.
For fractions, use the small
sizes of your set of measuring
spoons.
* * *
There are several ways to
measure solid shortening. Small
amounts are more easily mea-
sured by tablespoons; fractions
of cups may be measured in
graduated measuring cups. Use
one of these convenient ways:
(1) Press shortening into a
measuring cup (or tablespoon),
packing it tightly. Then level off
at top or fraction mark.
(2) An easy way to measure
butter is by weight. Allow 1/2
pound for 1 cup. With print but-
ter, 1/4 pound equals 1/2 cup.
(3) Or measure shortening by
water displacement. For ex-
ample, to measure / cup short-
ening, fill cup half -full of cold
water; add shortening until wa-
ter rises to the top of cup; then
drain off all water. This leaves
1/2 cup shortening in the cup.
Measure melted shortening
like a liquid.
* * *
With granulated or white su-
gar, fill a standard measuring
cup or spoon with the sugar,
and level off with edge of spa-
tula of straight knife.
Brown sugar needs to be pack-
ed into the cup so firmly that
it holds the shape of the cup
when turned out. This gives a
consistent measurement.
Average -sized eggs (medium
to large) are used in these reci-
pes. If using small eggs, allow
about 31/2 tablespoons slightly
mixed whole eggs for each egg
in recipe.
* *
Use special care in measuring
liquids for undermeasuring is a
common fault.
For accuracy, set measuring
cup on a level surface. Other-
wise the surface of the liquid
may slant and deceive you.
Fill until liquid flows into the
correct groove -mark of cup; do
not undermeasure.
Thick liquids and syrup, such
as molasses, corn syrup, or
honey, should be poured into the
spoon or cup from the container
or from another spoon. If the
cup has already been used to
measure shortening or water,
the syrup will empty out readi-
ly. Do not dip a measuring spoon
into sticky liquids for too much
will cling to underside of spoon,
causing overmeasurement or
waste.
°Mir is A BATH?"—Gunner Aubrey Johnson, right, and his
battery mate take a snow bath near Fort Churchill, Manitoba,
Canada, during winter maneuvers on the Arctic tundra, Com.
pletion of the snow house, in background, is one of their assign•
ed exercises,
End of a Tale --
JASPER, A PET RACCOON at Algonquin Park, lived uneventfully
until he crossed the main track of the Canadian National Rail-
way...
. HE DIDN'T QUITE MAKE IT. The train cut off his tail. Jasper
is all right now, but he is unhappy about the loss of his tail,
and so is his owner, guide Jack Wilkinson. Wilkinson has asked
the railway "What are you going to do about it?"
BEST -EVER MUFFINS
2 cups sifted Sour
22 teaspoons baking powder
2 tablespoons sugar
3/4 teaspoon salt
% cup shortening
1 egg,well beaten
3/4 cup milk
Method
Sift flour once, measure, add
baking powder, sugar and salt
and sift into bowl.
Cut in shortening. Combine
egg and milk and add all at once
to flour mixture.,
To mix, draw spoon from side
Of bowl toward center (15
times), turning bowl gradually.
Chop spoon through batter (10
times). Then stir only until all
flour is dampened (only about
5 strokes).
Turn into greased muffin pans,
filling each about % full. Bake
in hot oven (400°F.) 25 minutes,
or until done. Makes, 10 large
muffins.
Regular Method
Sift flour once, measure, add
baking powder, sugar, and salt
and sift into bowl.
Combine egg and milk and
add to flour mixture. Add melt-
ed shortening.
To mix, draw spoon from side
of bowl toward center (15
times), turning bowl gradual-
ly. Chop spoon through batter
(10 times). Then stir only until
all flour is dampened (only
about 5 strokes).
Turn into greased muffin
pans, filling each about 2/3 full.
Bake in hot oven (400° F.) 25
minutes, dr until done. Makes
10 large muffins.
* *
DELICIOUS VARIATIONS
CORN MUFFINS
Use only 1 cup sifted flour in
Muffins, but increase baking
powder to 3 teaspoons and add
2/3 cup yellow corn meal to sift-
ed mixture.
BRAN MUFFINS •
Use only 1 cup sifted flour in
muffins. Increase baking powder
to' a 3 teaspoons and add 11/4
cups 40% Bran Flakes to batter
before baking.
SPICY -CRUST MUFFINS
Mix together 2 tablespoons
sugar and 1/4 teaspoon cinna-
mon. Sprinkle this spice mix-
ture over batter in pans before
baking.
DATE OR PRUNE MUFFINS
Add 2/3 cup finely cut dates or
prunes to egg -milk mixture for
muffins.
DE ..UXE MUFFINS
Use .1/4 cup shortening instead
of 1/3 cup in muffins.
BLUEBERRY MUFFINS
Make muffins with 1/2 cup
shortening instead of 1/3 cup.
"old 1 cup blueberries into bat-
ter before baking.
CRANBERRY MUFFINS
Make muffins with 1/4 cup
shortening instead of 1/4 cup.
Chop 1 Cup cranberries; sprinkle
with 2 tablespoons sugar and
fold into batter before baking.
How Can 1?
By Anne Ashley
DARK -EYED JULINDA
FOOLED 'EM L
London — (NEA) --In Bri-
tain the Asquiths speak Only to
the Astors, and the Astors only
to God. But American -born Me-
linla Maclean, wife of Soviet spy
Donald Maclean, was an excep-
tion.
Dark -eyed Melinda had both
the Asquiths and the Astors
speaking up for her in public.
She also fooled Sir Winston
Churchill's son, Randolph, None
suspected that she, herself, was
a double-dealer, perhaps the
cleverest of the lot.
Society swells rushed to Me-
linda's defense following the
flight to Russia of her husband
Donald, one-time head of the
American Departlnent of the
British Foreign, Office, with his
friend and fellow diplomat -spy,
Guy Burgess.
"Don't Malign Melinda," was
the watchword in the best Bri-
tish circles.
* * *
Now that Melinda is revealed
to be living in cozy comfort with
her co-conspirators in a dacha
just outside Moscow, some of
Britain's most~ aristocratic faces
are crimson. -;to think that this
charming girlccould turn out to
be a Comenrenist plotter and
renegade, tool
Among the reddest faces is
that of Lady Violet Bonham -
Carter. Lady Violet is not only
an Asquith, the daughter of a
British prime minister, but a
good friend to have in time of
trouble. It was Lady Violet who
helped Donald Maclean get his
first job' at the Foreign Office;
she sat on the selection Board
that tipped him for the post.
It was Lady Violet who help-
ed to create the picture of Me-
linda Maclean as the poor, inno-
cent, long-suffering wife of a
brilliant, but erratic husband,
who divided his time between
alcohol and Communism.
Was it Melinda's fault that
Donald Mclean turned out to be
a traitor? After all, Melinda,
herself, had no interest in poli-
tics.
Was she to blame that Mac-
lean also became a booze -
hound• and a pervert? Hadn't
her husband tried to strangle her
that time in Cairo? And didn't
he desert her for the Russians
just as she was about to bear
him his third child?
' dHow can I remove all dirt
grease from the hair?
A. Wet the hair with warm
water and then rub into the .
scalp the juice of a lemon, in-
stead of soap. Rinse the hair
thoroughly and dry with a soft
towel. This will leave 'the -hair
soft and glossy.
Q. What is a good cleaner for
silver?
A. An excellent cleaner, and
One that does not scratch, is
common cooking soda. Follow
by polishing with• a soft cloth.
Q. How can I prevent the dis-
coloring and wilting of vege-
tables when they must stand af-
ter paring?
A. Cover them completely
with cold water.
Q. Row can I sterilize the
sink?
A. Use a solution of chloride
of zinc, which can be purchased
at any drug store. Use one half
pint to two gallons of water and.
pour through `the pipes every
week or two.
Q. How can I improve the
flavor of iced tea?
A. Try adding a few drops of
lemon juice and a sprig of mint
to each glass of iced tea.
O. Should figs and dates be
washed before using them?
A. Yes, by all means, and
wash them thoroughly. Place in
a colander and pour boiling
water over them.
Q. How can I make the teeth
whiter?
A. Use soda water with any
good tooth paste, instead of tap
water. • It will make the teeth
whiter, and will give a soothing
sensation to the gums and
throat.
Q. How can I remove mud
stains from woolen garments
and also from tan shoes?
A. By- rubbing the spots with
the moist cut side of a raw po-
tato, changing to a clean slice
of . potato when the one piece is,
soiled.
Q. How can I make linen win-
dow shades look like new?
A. Apply brickdust with a
clean, soft cloth.
Q. How can' I sew buttons on
a garment so that it is easy for
a child to fasten?
A. When sewing buttons on
children's garments a good idea
L to sew each one over a pin.
Then slip the pin out, which
leaves a small amount of loose-
ness to the button, . making it
easier for the child to fasten.
Q. flow can I prevent water
from settling to° the bottom oil
the dish when baking custard?
A. For a baked custard, warm
the milk before adding the eggs.
For very *yellow custard use
bro' n eggs, for a lighter cust-
ard, white eggs.
* * *
So it was argued in the best
British circles.
And 39 -year-old, Chicago -born
Melinda took full advantage of
the favorable climate of opinion
thus created. For Melinda had a
problem: she needed to get clo-
ser to the Iron Curtain, so that
she could duck behind it quickly
when the time came for her to
join her husband.
So Melinda came to Lady Vio-
let Bonham -Carter with a pite-
ous story of how she, Melinda
Maclean, was being hounded and
persecuted by the British press
as the wife of "The Missing Dip-
lomat."
It was an elaborate build-up
by Mrs. Maclean for the removal
of her family to Switzerland,
where they could enjoy "greater
privacy."
Lady Violet fell for the story
hook, line and sinker. First, she
wrote a letter to The Times. It
just so happens that The Times
is owned by a friend of hers,
Colonel J. J. Astor, Lady Violet
called his attention to what she
described as a "flagrant viola-
tion of the ethios of journalism,"
an interview with Melinda she
described as phony.
Next, Lady Violet got her son-
1
Grimond a Mem-
in-law, Joseph ,
ber of Parliament, to raise the
monsmatter. in the House of Com -
Randolph Churchill, Sir Win-
sten's sen, sprang to Melinda's
defense with another letter to
The Times about . journalistic
ethics.
Another Astor, this time Da-
vid, publisher of The Observer,
broke a lance in Mrs. Maclean's
caus
^Evee.
n after Melinda crossed to
Russia in September, 1953, Da-
vid Astor could find nothing
harsh to say about her. He still
believed her to be the innocent
wife, "demure and peace -lov-
ing," whose loyalty to her hus-
band had proved stronger than
her common sense.
Those who have studied the
Maclean -Burgess case carefully
claim that IMel Melinda who was mure,
had
peace -loving"
the nerves of steel: That either
Donald Maclean or Guy Burgess
would have cracked up under
her ordeal, or taken to drink,
And the Maclean children, in
between Marxist-Leninist les-
sons, can now boast to their
Russian playmates how their
clever mother made complete
mugs of Lady Violet and the
Astors.
FEATHERS
Dr. Christian A. Wolf, inter-
nationally known physicist, a
native of Denmark, states that
experiments which he has made
prove definitely that birds hear
through their feathers, especial-
ly their tail feathers. While
birds have regular ears, much
of their acute sense of hearing,
Dr. Wolfe says, come through
the auditory aid of feathers.
TAKES VOWS — Boyce Brown,
once rated the nation's hottest
man on an alto sax, has given
up the world of jazz for a life-
time in a Catholic monastery.
Brown, 45, took his vows as sa
lay brother of • the Servite Fa
thers. Order of the Servants of
St. Mary at a monastery. 'It isn't
a gloomy life," he says, "To me,
it's more exciting than music
was." He'll play his sax only
on special occasions.
THE GO(D SHEPHERD — A dutiful shepherd defies the cold;
to lead his; flock down a snowy mountainside near Rieti, Italy,
in search 'of food. The sheep were led many miles toward then
coast during Europe's severest cold wave of the century' wheal
their pasture lands became a desert of snow;