Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1911-07-03
SUM MER OUTINGS.
How to Pack the Lunch Basket For
the Picnic Days.


The passing of a lunch basket is a
fact to be deplored. 1t means much
more than appears on the surface
Being packed in like sardines and
compelled to eat what one can get
is sure to have its influence on ones
ideas of food and table etiquette.
Either because 1t is not possible to
procure q lunch at home or because
one objects to lunch box, city res
taurants are filled at the noon hour.
\ good cold lunch is much better and
less likely to do harm than a poor
hot one. The quality of food and the
manner of eating are the important
things.
So few know how to choose what is
best when they are tired mentally and
physically, and the consequence is
that too often the lunch consists of
something utterly devoid of nourish-
ment, but offering Some promise of
satisfying the palate, which promise
is rarely fulfilled.
There Is more in a lunch box than
the food it carries. and the patient
mother or sister who thinks ahead and
plans for the lunch and thinks of the
daintiest ways of packing it deserves
more thanks than she will ever re-
ceive. and is taking no small part in
the character building of her family.
An unfailing rule should be that the
one who is to eat the lunch should
not pack it. The appetite at noon
and in the morning are two different
things. and, besides, there should be
an element of surprise as to what one
is to have.
Wholesomeness, simplicity and dam
tiness should characterize the lunch,
A box that can be discarded is a good
idea, but it is also good to have one
that is lust right for size. light and
waterproof. especially for children.
one should keep on hand a supply
of paper napkins, waxed and parch-
inent paper and fresh wrapping paper
and strong twine. Plain paper nap
kins are wise investment and are
not dear when purchased by the hun
7rnd There is no objection to haN
ing both wrapping paper and twine
of a pleasing color.
If everything is wrapped separate
1y in waxed paper, there VIII be no
mixing of favors, and the daintiness
will coax a weak appetite. This does
away with the necessity of carrying
the box right side up" supposing OF
course. that there are no cups or
glasses holding ligtlids-and it is bet
ter to eliminate those if possible; If
they must be used. try to have screw
tops.
The skin can be removed from
oranges and the sections separated
without breaking. and then they can
be put into shape and wrapped in
waved paper and be eaten in comfort.
Instead of rich and fancy cakes put
sweet crakers or homemade cookies.
tucl{ing in a few extra ones TO di-
vide" Two or three pieces of home
MADE candy and a few nutmeats can
go in some other day, and even lump
of loaf sugar.
The things named are quite sur
ficient for lunch with plenty of good
homemade bread. cut thin, ana
spread with good butter and anything
else desired, such as jelly, minced
meat or cheese Thin slices of brolled
steak. seasoned nicely. are quite as
good, If not better. than roast beef
for sandwiches. Crisp. sweet. thfn
bacon is also excellent, and Is one oil
the most valuable foods.s 1t has the
advantage of tasting wen in warm
weather when fresh meat is less ac-
eeptable. Pickles and highly spiced
things are better used only OCCASION
ally.
The following are easily prepared
Large prunes or dates with the seeds
removed and the cavities filed with
nutmeats or fondant and then rollea
in sugar: sweetmeats made OF eauai
PARTS of figs. dates and nutmeats ano
all run through a meat grinder, then
framed in balls as large as nut
meg and rolled in powdered sugar
orange sections covered with glace,-
Snokane Spokesman Review.