Hints for the Housekeeper.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 12, 23 March 1907, Page 37

Hints for the Housekeeper.

Don't boil meat, steam it, except salt beef. Don’t throw away the water, use as stock for soup. Don’t cut bacon into rashers until you have boiled it one hour, then let it get cold; remove rind; don’t

place in cold, dry frying pan, have some bacon fat in it; when this is hot

toss your rasher into it. Don't wash frying pan, wipe while hot with clean paper. Don’t throw away bacon fat, save for next frying. Don't accumulate several lots of dripping in larder; when cold, scrape off moisture, melt, and when again cold wipe thoroughly, and it will be ready to add to your other fat, or to use for pastry or cakes. Don’t stick a fork into a joint to turn it, and so let out its juices; use cloth if possible, as with shoulder or leg of lamb. Don't put meat in oven without rubbing with salt and covering bottom of tin with water. Don’t believe people who say basting is not necessary. Don't boil potatoes—steam them. When nearly done take off lid of steamer, add salt, cover with cloth. Don't boil fish (except salmon) with steam. Place a saucer inverted at bottom of saucepan,and so raise the steamer; cook in the steam, and save both the flavour and nourishment. Don’t add water to the teapot; put a sufficient quantity in at first; have a second teapot (hot). If the tea is too strong add water to the cups, not the pot. Here arc also a few things worth remembering: Washing watercress in salt and water will kill and remove any insects among the loaves. Steel and iron articles can lie kept free from rust by dipping them in a solution of potash. Persons who are accustomed to use tea-leaves for sweeping their carpets ami find they leave stains will do well to employ fresh-cut grass instead. It is better tlian the tea-leaves and gives a brighter and fresher look.

Milk will take out ink-stains from boards, cotton and other fabrics, if used before dried in. Soak in a little milk, and then wash in the ordinary wav.

Mildew spots will be effaced if rubbed with a moistened mixture of soap and ebalk and exposed to the strong rays of the bus.