Why not Cook at Table

Ladies' Mirror, Volume 4, Issue 8, 1 February 1926, Page 28

Why not Cook at Table

Goohng in the kitchen may be hard 'tvork, but cooking at the table becomes a delightful occupation you possess the proper electrical equipment. CJhis article puts you in touch ith the l?ery latest devices

PORTABILITY is an inherent * advantage of electrically-heated appliances, and is a feature not possessed by any other agency to anything like the same extent. By merely connecting up an electric kettle or toaster by a length of flexible wire to the nearest lamp-holder or wall-socket, that device may be used with equal convenience on a bench or table, by the bedside or on the sideboard. To a certain extent gasheated appliances may be portable, but as they operate with a flame, they introduce a serious risk of fire, while the length of flexible tube connecting up the device with the gas supply in itself constitutes a danger as well as a serious obstruction, while the products of combustion have to be led away through a flue. Electrical apparatus, on the other hand, operating on the non-combus-tion process, need no flue and do not vitiate the air. They present a minimum of fire risk and the heating elements themselves being thermally insulated from the framework, do not transmit any perceptible heat to a tablecloth or sideboard, so that the utensils may be placed with safety upon polished woodwork or white linen. The flexible cord connecting them to the source of supply is neat and unobtrusive, and even if the insulation covering the flexible conductors becomes damaged and the wires exposed, the worst that can happen is that the local fuse will “blow.” There is, in no circumstances, any risk of fire and little to fear in the way of accidental shock through touching conductors from which the insulating material has been removed by wear or abrasion. Although it is proposed in this article to deal mainly with electrical devices for table use, the term “portable apparatus” covers a much wider field and applies equally to the kitchen, bathroom, boudoir, bedroom and workshop. (fooling by Electricity T>EFORE describing some of the **-' cooking apparatus which may be used satisfactorily on the table, we must just say a word about electric cooking. It is generally felt that electricity is a luxury, and in so far as excellence of result in cooking is luxurious, it certainly is. The reason for this excellence is clearly understandable. Cooking is no haphazard business ; it demands exactness and control. And in cooking by electricity we have purity of heat and quite perfect control. Thus we have no fumes, dust or dirt to contend with,

and we only have the exact amount of heat we require at any given time. An extremely valuable point in connection with this is that electric cooking ensures the least possible shrinkage in meat and other foods, while conserving their rich natural juices and piquant flavour. Economical EhfCethod EXPERIMENTS show that in cooking by means of electricity there is not nearly so much, loss in weight. For instance, in cooking meats like the ribs and sirloin of beef, and the legs and shoulders of mutton it has been found that a joint weighing 81b. 3oz. before cooking, weighs 71b. 6oz. when cooked by electricity, and Sib. 6oz. when cooked otherwise. Thus, by using electricity, we can do with smaller joints, cutlets, etc., and so effect considerable economy. With the aid of portable electric devices it is possible to prepare a complete meal on the dining-table itself without risk of spoiling the table or its covering, and without the help of servants. This is of special value during the summer months, when housewives want to reduce the time spent in kitchen cookery. There is, for example, the electric grill under which chops, steaks, fish or sausages may be grilled to perfection and without a drop of grease escaping. Eaten piping hot, the food tastes so much nicer than when cooled by its passage from the kitchen. Some of the table grills are supplied with ind.vidual three-heat switches. Thus the heat may begin at high, be turned to medium, then to low, so that as the cooking progresses the quantity of current consumed is reduced. Householders already supplied with electric light but not power, in their homes may use conveniently a small electric grill or oven and obtain excellent and economical results. The saving in food amply makes up for the cost of the electricity. There are several forms of small electric ovens in which a chicken or duck can be roasted, puddings cooked, or delicious cakes and pastry baked. Another useful device is the plate warming oven, in which a dozen dinner plates may be heated at one time, and over which a couple of vegetable dishes may be kept warm. Eggs Goofed to Perfection A NOTHER convenience is the electric egg steamer in which any number from one to six eggs

can be cooked in three or four minu.es. 1 he eggs are placed so that they do not touch the water, but are perfectly cooked in the steam. The advantage is obvious, for in the event of an egg being cracked or opened it may still be s.earned for a little longer. Thus there is no excuse for under-done or hard-boiled eggs, for the. results can be suited to indiv.dual taste. _ A chafing dish in which delicious omelettes can be prepared in a few minutes, is an enormous boon, for certainly enjoyment of an omelette is increased enormously if it is eaten at the exact moment when it is ready, In the toaster illustrated, bread may be toasted on both s.des evenly, It is fitted with a reversible rack which enables the bread to be turned wit ou. touching it with the fingers; two pieces of crisp, delicious toast can be made without any bother in about a couple of minutes. It is possible to toast enough for a family of four for about id. What ‘Delicious Golf eg I F OR after-dinner coffee, the electrie percolator is ideal. The coffee is prepared by the percolation through the coffee grounds of boillug water forced up into the container through a central tube, the liquid being clear, free from grounds and of a most delightful flavour. At tea-time the electric tea-pot is indispensable. The tea is placed in a perforated basket held by a little chain within the domed lid, and is lowered into the water as soon as the latter boils; this is lifted up again after the infusion has been made, thus preventing the tea from stewing and enabling the beverage to be heated up again if necessary without its quality being impaired, Then there is the electric urn, where large quantities of boiling water are required and the immersi on heater for heating small quintides. The last-named device is sim-

ply placed in the liquid to be heated, the current switched on, and the boiling liquid is obtained in about three minutes, an enormous boon when time is an important consideration. Most of these convenient little utensils consume current at the rate of six hundred watts, or three-fifths of a unit per hour; they are all of artistic design and of light weight, and with heating elements that can be replaced by the user in a few moments at small cost, Electric table cookery is, of course, most suitable for the preparation of those dishes whose cooking involves little time and is consequently extremely useful when “snacks” are wanted. For breakfast or a late supper it is very suitable and will be enormously appreciated in the sick room, (Choose CTiEh*. iShOOSe pimple Dts/ies TN most cases it is desirable to choose dishes that require little preparation, but where this is impossible the ingredients should be put ready and weighed out, so that only the cooking process is carried out 0 n the table. Try cooking the following in the electric way 1 . ’ drilled sausages, bacon and tomatoes. kidneys, mushrooms, steaks. Steamed custards, 3 ‘ Roasted meat, chicken, etc. • b ' ed potatoes, Stewed fruit, 6 ‘ Welsh rarebit savoury toast, 7. Sweet and savoury omelettes, The task of entertaining is considerably lightened for the servant - less woman if electric table appliances are available for cooking purposes. With their aid she can cook an appetising meal without the necess:ty of deserting her guests, and with the knowledge that they will pro: ably find the little ceremony quite as attractive as «he does.