PAPER-BAG COOKERY

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7865, 29 July 1911, Page 9

PAPER-BAG COOKERY

YESTERDAY'S DEMONSTRATTON. If the crowd of interested onlookers which blocked the traffic on either side of the Gas Company's stand at the Exhibition yesterday may bo taken as any indication of popular feeling there is a great vogue for “paper-bag cookery.” Mrs Forster Denny had prepared a most varied bill-of-fare for demonstrating the possibilities of tho new method. It ran as follows: Beef Tea. Stuffed Tomato. Steamed Fish. Grilled Steak. Kidney and Bacon. Plum Sago Pudding. Baked Cuatard. In tho case of tho beef tea the Jib of finely-cut meat was put into the paper-bag with half a pint of water and a little salt; the bag was hermetically sealed (in plainer language the open end was folded over and gummed firmly down) and the bag placed on the oven shelf. Just hero it is as well to say that in paper-bag cookery the bags must bo placed on an open shelf of wire netting or wire bars, gridironwiso, so that the hot air circulates all round the food in its grease-proof bag. The tomato, stuffed with breadcrumbs and seasoning and its own pulp, was popped into its little bag, and followed I the large bag containing some littlo moulds three-quarters filled with plum sago pudding, into the oven. The sago, it may be remarked, had been soaked beforehand, and tho currants, raisins, and beaten egg were beaten into it before xxraring into the buttered moulds. The fish to be steamed was a nice thick slice of sohnappor, weighing about XJlb, and was put into a double bag, i.e., an inner bag greased on both inside and outside, and enclosed in an outer bag. Judging by its appearance tho fish when cooked was ouo of the most brilliantly successful items of the menu, and looked most appetising as it was handed round amid the eager crowd of onlookers for inspection. Th© steak also was put into a double bag, and the sausages wore rubbed with dripping before being put into their bag. Tho former, on© may note in passing, had more the aspect of stewed than grilled steak, but tho satmgo was brown as a berry. Kidneys and bacon—tho split kidneys deftly laid between the slices of bacon and securely sealed in their small hag—were presently added to tho queer collection of bagfuls in th© oven. By the time th© custard pudding in its mould and paper-bag was safely ensconced chick by jowl with all tho rest of tho menu, on© may fairly concede that there was what you would call “a representative gathering." Th© oven doors were, of conrs©, constantly opened and shut. Our seats were not more . than two yards away from thorn, yet not so much as a single whiff of odour from all this varied assortment of dishes was perceptible. Not th© attenuated ghost of a smell of cookery until the dishes were removed and taken out of their bags. As Mrs Forster Denny pointed out, not only was the nutriment and tho individual flavour of each item preserved without a fraction of waste, but it was possible to cook all these various dishes in ouo oven without one being impregnated with th© odour of the other. It was very pleasant to see the calm, unruffled confidence with which Mrs Denny and her assistants conducted tho demonstration of cookery “en papfljocte,” and the practical interest of the crowded audience was shown by th© constant stream of questions which Mrs Denny was called upon to reply. , Her answers were roost (helpful and convincing. Th© rolls of cooking bagpaper spoken of in my former notes as obtainable from Messrs Gordon and Qotch found a ready sale. At the close of th© demonstration Mrs Denny • received th© hearty applause she so well deserved, and pencils and note-books were hurriedly thrust aside that gloved palms might do their best in this directionThere was more ; than a touch of humour in tho combination of anxiety and eagerness with which th© various dishes were passed along among the audience for inspection. Piping hot, giving off rich and appetising odours, these proofs of possibilities were passed hithor and thither, everyone keen to see and smell, everyone inwardly shaking lost in th© stormy sea of hats and furs and feathers neighbour should let slip the precious dainty, with what disastrous results I —ZEAL AND LA.

Dominion, left for Sydney yesterday en route for Egypt and England. Miss Booley (Sydney) is staying at the Windsor. Mrs Seale (Hastings) is on a visit to Wellington. Mrs 0. C. Cooper (Masterton) Is on a visit to Wellington, Mrs J. A. Oliver (Christchurch) is visiting Wellington and is staying at tho Royal Oak. Miss Currie (Gisborne) is on a visit to Mrs L. Cable. Mr and Mrs J. C. Cooper (Masterton) are staying at the Occidental. Miss Bell (Blenheim), who has been staying at Rotorua, is spending a few days in Wellington before returning to Blenheim, Captain and Mrs Moss (England) arc staying In Masterton. Mr and Airs Monckton (Otala) aro staying at the Royal Oak. Tho littlo son of the Rev. Innes Jones (Building), who was operated on lor appendicitis, is still in a critical state. The Rev. G. H. Kosher's (Palmerston) eldest son, who was operated upon for appendicitis, is making rapid x)rogress towards recovery. A pleasing ceremony took place in Masterton last when Miss Haywood, matron ot the hospital, on behall of tho hospital committee, presented Mrs P. R. Cook with a silver-plated tray and handsome teapot, and Mr N. D. Bunting with a case of pipes and silver-mounted tobacco pouch, in recognition of the valuable* services they jiad rendered in connection with tho recent hospital bail. Tho addition to the college house at the high school, Palmerston North, was opened on Wednesday afternoon by Air W. H. Collingwood, chairman of the High School Board. In his address the chairman eulogised the work of Mr Vernon as rector, and explained that the additions make room for thirty more boarders. Tho visitors were entertained at afternoon tea by the rector apd Airs Vernon. ; The second annual ball of the Ma.naTratu Hunt Club was held on Wednesday night in tho Municipal Hall at Palmerston, and was a great success. About 125 couples were present, and tho hall was tastefully decorated with flags and evergreens. The duties of AI.C. were carried out by Messrs At. AlcEwcn, T. Shaw, J. Donaldson and IL R. loan caster, and arrangements were under the direction of Mr J. Davidson, secretary, Alesdames McKenzie. Bulmer, Aliss Hewett and Air J. A. Nash played extras, and tho music was supplied by Hanley’s Zingarl Orchestra. Tho function altogether Vas a most enjoyable affair, and reflects great credit on tho committee and secretary, ’ ,