The Washington times., 1894-04-15
SERVING BANANAS.
The Most Nutritious OF All Fruits and the
Cheapest.

Generally speaking, bananas are looked
upon as fruit to be used as a luxury, but it is
claimed by eminent authority that bananas
contain all the essential elements Of nutrition,
and life can be sustained for an indefinite
time on an exclusive diet OF this fruit
The ancient Mahatmas, or wise men OF
India. are said to have subsisted entirely on
bananas, and the savage OF the South Sea
islands, says the Medical Brief. owes to them
his wonderful physical power.
A few years ago a carload OF bananas
would have supplied the markets in any one
of our largest cities for an indefinite time.
Now the demand is for tons daily at almost
oil seasons of the year.
In 1887 nearly 5000 600 punches were i'm
ported into the United States from Central
America. In 1880 the importation had moro
than doubled.
Probably the largest part of those now used
in the United States are eaten raw; but year
by year they enter more and more largely
into our cooking, and there are many appe-
tizing methods of preparing them for the
table
The following are among the best, and
should be made generally known:
To Fry BANANAs-Peei and slit the fruit length
wiso; dip it in beaten egg, roll IL in flour or sifted
cracker crumbs and drop it in boiling fat and
cook until 1t is n delicate brown. Drain on n
sieve before serving
BREAKFAST rRITTERs-Make n batter as for
apple fritters, but somewhat thicker peel and
slice the fruit in slices one-half IN inch thick;
dip in the batter and fry in not butter; drain the
fritters on sieve or on blottirg paper; dredge
with white sugar and serve
BAKED BANANAs-Peel and split lengthwise;
lay them in plate or platter For each half
dozen use one tablespoonful of butter and three
tablespoonsful of hot water and the juice of one
lemon: melt the butter in the water, add the
Juice of the lemon and pour il over the fruit;
dredge over them six tablespoonsful of white
sugar and bake until brown in quick oven
BANANA SHORTCAKE-Make a crust as for straw
berry shortcakc When baked split and butter
and I'LL with a mixture of two-thirds sliced ba-
mana TO one-third sliced orange, sprinkle lbe-
rally with sugar, and spread over the fruit little
sweet cream beaten until very stiff. Serve the
shortcake while hot
BANANA CAKE-Use any preferred recipe for
light layer cake. When baked frost each layer,
and while the frosting is still fresh spread each
except the top, with banana, peeled and mashed
Whipped cream is sometimes used between the
layers instead of the frosting 1t makes a
moister cake
BANANA CoMPoTE-One cup of white sugar, one
pint of water; boil for ten minutes; peel and
slice red and white bananas and place them in
alternate layers in dish: pour the syrup over
them ana when cold serve with whipped cream
A DAINTY DEssERT-iiake Jelly with gelatine
and sugar il TO tAse when 1t is cool line the bot
tom Of glass dish or jelly mold with slices OF
bananas and oranges and peur n little OF the
layer OF the rut and more jelly until the dish is
Iu!l; set il on ice until ready to serve. You can
use straw berries instead OF oranges
BANANAS AND CREAA-Place bananas and
Strawberries on ice; whip well-sugared cream
over until very stifI, and when ready TO serve
peel and slice the bananas and place them in
layers with the Strawberries and cream; keep on
ice until served