Practical Suggestions for Mother and Housewife — John Stuart Mill — John Shaqi
Practical Suggestions for Mother and Housewife
John Stuart Mill · en
Cut round steak into pieces about one-half inch square, cover with water
and cook it at a temperature just below the boiling point until it is
tender, or boil for five minutes, and while still hot put into the
fireless cooker and leave it for five hours. Thicken the gravy with
flour mixed with water, allowing two level tablespoonfuls to a cup of
water. Pour the meat and gravy over split baking-powder biscuits so
baked that they have a large amount of crust.
FLAVOR OF BROWNED MEAT OR FAT
Next to the unchanged flavor of the meat itself comes the flavor which
is secured by browning the meat with fat. The outside slices of roast
meat have this browned flavor in marked degree. Except in the case of
roasts, browning for flavor is usually accomplished by heating the meat
in a frying pan in fat which has been tried out of pork or in suet or
butter. Care should be taken that the fat is not scorched. The chief
reason for the bad opinion in which fried food is held by many is that
it almost always means eating burned fat. When fat is heated too high it
splits up into fatty acids and glycerin, and from the glycerin is formed
a substance (acrolein) which has a very irritating effect upon the
mucous membrane. All will recall that the fumes of scorched fat make the
eyes water. It is not surprising that such a substance, if taken into
the stomach, should cause digestive disturbance. Fat in itself is a very
valuable food, and the objection to fried foods because they may be fat
seems illogical. If they supply burned fat there is a good reason for
suspicion. Many housekeepers cook bacon in the oven on a wire broiler
over a pan and believe it more wholesome than fried bacon. The reason,
of course, is that thus cooked in the oven there is less chance for the
bacon becoming impregnated with burned fat. Where fried salt pork is
much used good cooks know that it must not be cooked over a very hot
fire, even if they have never heard of the chemistry of burned fat. The
recipe for bean-pot roast and other similar recipes may be varied by
browning the meat or part of it before covering with water. This results
in keeping some of the natural flavoring within the meat itself and
allowing less to go into the gravy. The flavor of veal can be very
greatly improved in this way.
The following old-fashioned dishes made with pork owe their savoriness
chiefly to the flavor of browned fat or meat:
SALT PORK WITH MILK GRAVY