READERS' EXCHANGE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22350, 22 February 1936, Page 33 (Supplement)

READERS' EXCHANGE

WAYS OF PRESERVING BEANS Several readers have sent in good and interesting methods of preserving beans for D.P.A., one of the simplest and .most unusual being the following, suggested by M.H. (Auckland). Pack the stringed beans into clean sterilised jars and run water from a tap (cold) with force into each jar. Keep the water running till jar is full to overflowing, then stop water and let each jar stand five minutes, till bubbles have quite ceased rising. Then seal the jar securely with scrow cap and rubber band, under water, in the basin or container in which it is standing. Take out each jar, wipe dry, and stand upside down till next morning. If it then shows no sign of leaking it is safe to set away in a cool, dark place to store, otherwise it must be done again. Fruits and vegeables, if carefully done this simple way, keep sweet and fresh for months. Then Mrs. M. L. recommends this method: Slice the beans very thinly in strips, sprinkle well with salt, and set aside for two days. Drain off the salt liquor that forms. Bottle the beans and pour over them a pickle of vinegar that has been boiled with seasonings. Cover when cold, then cork well. The Drying Method D.M.M. (Waihou) says that a good way is to cut tho beans as for cooking, then dry in tho sun or on the rack till like chips. To finish off, she put hers in oatmeal bags and pegged them on the clothes line in the sun and wind. Store them in paper bags, hung up, and soak 24 to 48 nours before using. Steamed Till Tender Another excellent method is sent by M.H. String the beans and steam them till tender (this keeps the nourishment in them to a far greater extent than if boiled). Put in a pot, for every gallon of beans used, one quart vinegar, one pint of water, £lb. brown sugar and two tablespoons whole mixed spice tied up in a bit of muslin. Bring to boiling point, boil for 15 minutes, strain, and pour over the beans to overflow in clean jars where they have been packed closely when steamed. Let the liquor cool before pouring on beans and coyer tho jars closely when filled, storing them in a cool dark place. Emulsion Stains Try these suggestions sent by M.H., Mrs. W.A.P., for the emulsion stains on your baby's woollies. Soak in a little benzine for a few minutes (alternatively pouring some benzine on the stains and pressing firmly for a few hours between several sheets of blotting paper, above and below the marks). Then rinse well, with a little working and rubbing in some water to which a little ammonia and fullers' earth have been added. Sponging with a little glycerine and water mixed in equal proportions is also good, followed by a good washing out in water. Another way would be first to use a little benzine as mentioned above, to get out as much oil as possible. Then, when benzine has evaporated, and if _tne woollies are not sponge with a little hydrogen peroxide to remove the colour stains remaining. Otherwise, wash with a little methylated spirit in which some soap has been dissolved. Pickled Beetroot Another recipe for pickled beetroot is that of Miss N.T. (Mount Eden), to whom thanks are due for a pleasant letter. Wash the beet and boil until tender. Slice thinly and pack in heated preserving jars. Fill the jars with hot spiced vinegar and seal immediately. To spice, add a heaped teaspoon each of cloves and whole pepper corns (and a little bruised ginger if liked) to each quart of vinegar. Boil for ten mmutes with lid on pan to prevent evaporation. REQUESTS " Jenny" (Auckland) would bo glad of a recipe for doughnuts. Will someone give " Mother" (Tuakau) recipes for marrow jam, made with various fruits? ~ i Miss R.J. (Cambridge) would like to know how she can get mildew and fruit stains out of a white tablecloth. Can someone help Mrs. C.H. (Waihi), who damped a good fuji ehirt, intending to iron it, but forgot to do eo. It is now covered with mildew spots, and she wonders how she can remove them.