Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-07-10
MENUS FOR A WEEK
To Set a Good Table for a Family of
Five People
At 4 COST OF JUST TEN DOLLARS
Result of Recent Competition
Among Washington Housewives.
TISFACTORY RECIPES

No subject is of more Importance to the
housekeeper than her table, especially dur
ing these times of small incomes and fas-
tidious hot weather appetites. 1t is fact
that some women can get double the enjoy
ment out of a stipulated income than 9TH
ers, it all depends upon management and
discretion Recognizing the Importance of
this question. the proprietors of the Bon
Marche recently offered a prize Of a 81 CO.
lumbia bicycle to the woman subscriber of
the American Queen submitting the best
menu for family of five for one week. the
entire cost of which was not to exceed $40.
The large number of menus submitted
evidenced the fact that many Washington
housewives were fully alive to the subject,
and many carefully planned menus were
submitted, which gave more than average
meals for this small amount. The result
of the contest showed conclusively that a
nousekeeper experimenting her marketing
carefully and closely watching the odds
and ends that go into the kitchen can,
without much difficulty, arrange an at
tractive table with an expenditure OF only
$40 a week for five people.
In some cases the menus submitted would
not feed i've people for one day. In another
instance a loaf of bread sufficed for the
entire family for week, but il was gen.
orally understood that plain, practical
menus were desired, rather than fancifu
elaborate and less nutritious bills of
fare. and most of the menus placed before
the Judges for examination were remarka-
bic for their excellence and practicability
The judges selected for this unique and in
teresting contest were Miss Emma 5. ia
cobS, Miss Annie McDanielS and Miss Mol
lie Davis, well-known culinary experts en-
ployed in the cooking schools of the Dis
trict- The following letter written by Miss
Emma 5. Jacobs at the close of the contest
explains the views of the judges as to the
best menu:
The Bon Marche. My Dear Sirs: We
nave carefully examined all menus and
have selected as the best one No $3.50. al
though number HI follows very closely.
We cast the last number aside for the rea-
Son that some of the articles cannot be OBJ
tatned in our markets at the price given,
but because of its appearance We recon-
sldered II. and gave ii second rank. ~
In order TO insure absolute lmpartiality
each menu submitted was required to be
signed with the number of the competitors
subscription card. instead of the name. AS
stated above in Miss Jacobs letter it was
found that menu 2tSo mad won the contest,
and the author. Miss Annah Coleman of
1tS'2 Rhode Island avenue, was presented
with her wheel Saturday. July 3. Her
menu showed clear knowledge of the cult
nary art and d remarkable talent for de-
tail, as she gives the cost of every item,
ard some excellent recipes for original. in
expensive desserts. Following is the select
eG menu:
Full of Good Suggestions.
The prices quoted in the following menu
are those of the frst-class markets of this
city. at the present season. A little later,
melons be substituted for berries, and
during the winter home made preserves,
jellies, and canned fruits will be found a
great help, and economical if put UP in
the plentiful season: these preserves can
be used without increasing the expense, as
in winter one does not find great
rtety in vegetables.
The recipes given have been tried and
found satisfactory.
The following is list of articles to be
bought in bulk at the beginning of the
week, thus saving expense and making 1t
unnecessary TO quote the cost of said ar
tcles in each menu:
Old potatoes l peck =. Is
New pota toes. half peck................. 30
Coffee, 1 pound. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. 80
sugar, 10 pounds ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. 80
Lard. pounds. OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES. %
Butter, pounGs- ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. $1.O0
Flour, 1-l6 barrel Observation-Disclosures. AZ
.s'4t anu pcpp'i 10