New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-07-23
COOKING in a Freezer
Campers and Others May Contrive an Ex'
cellent "Fireless" from This Utensil.

can give the Sculptor Girls word that she
made one fully as effective out OF l6-cent
wooden pail (price including a round lid.
which had been used for holding cheap
candy at the corner grocery. II is easy
to contrive a way of fastening the lid on
so as to hold the top pad firmly down on
the agate pail
II improved on the original freezer by
packing my newspapers In around PASTE
board socket, previously fitted to the inner
pail. Then, as happened to have some.
stuffed a few handfuls OF cheap cotton
batting into all the chinks. The paper pad
for the top I pinned into an old kitchen
towel, for better handling In hurry. With
this simple apparatus 7 secure 10 myself q
hot dinner or supper without having to
stop work to get II at a crucial minute
and return to my desk with a divided
mind. n happen 10 be so engrossed IN a
climax that can't leave II. an hour after
my usual meal hour finds the contents OF
the freezer still piping hot
IF plan to have stew Of lamb or veal
for the midday meal begin II the night
before cutting up meat and onions and a
soup bunch putting them on my gas stove
IN the agate pail, and covering with boiling
water 10 an inch from the top Of the pail.
Unless it IS almost full the things will nod
holt sufficient heat to cook well.
This stew season with salt and pepS
per. adding sweet herbs or whatever hsvors
ing choose. When il has bubbled for sew
cral minute and feel certain that all tho
contents are thoroughly heated clap tho
agate lid on and transfer IL without a mos
ments delay 10 the socket IN the paper
nest. covering II ~ once with the pad.
Next morning 7 find II still hot. Then T
take out a good cup OF the hot broth and
fill M with sliced potatoes. or else stir in
A couple Of tablespoonfuls Of rice Then
J bring the stew to bubbling point again
and cover as before putting II back into
the nest At noon the meat ia deliciously
tender. The addition Of thickening brown
or white. s a matter If individual taste
~ my plan is for chowder at lunchoon
time. or dish Of any vegetable, morning
Is the time 10 begin II. Even cabbage has
no chance TO smell IN the house In the
few moments needed for starting IL tol-
Ing. Dried beans. that have been soaked
overnight. cook beautifully tender in a
'nreless A tiny pinch OF baking soda In
the water improves them.
But that chowder? At camp il was this
sequel 10 boiled fish. and the Sculptor ,iirl
saved some Of the water IN which the 1sh
had been boiled TO be used in making IL.
In bachelor quarters the boiling Of fish
Is seldom allowable. so get a little can ot
fish fakes for 10 cents. instead, which
equals half a pint OF cold boiled cod or
haddock. This goes into the agate pail.
with a couple of sliced raw potatoes and n
chopped onion. I cover these with boiling
water and let them cook while ] make a
good cupful of thickened white sauce out
of the milk left from my breakfast Into
this | stir a pinch Of baking soda. lest II
curdle in the chowder The sauce goes into
the pail with the fish, enough boiling water
Is added to All the pail nearly full scant
favoring OF salt and pepper is added and
on goes the cover and into the nest goes
the blessed little pail. a little sweet corn
is an Improvement. II you happen 10
have il.
Sliced white potatoes are very good
cooked in milk or thin white sauce. So Is
cabbage. Whenever milk is used the pre-
caution Of adding the pinch of baking soda.
dissolved in water. Is almost imperative on
account Of the gentle heat The proper
proportions OF rice and water or oatmeal
and water are largely a matter Of individ-
ual experiment, as they vary SO. A first
class vegetable soup can be made by cook
ing the chosen combination of diced vege-
tables In boiling water all morning and
then adding a teaspoonful OF beef extract
just before serving.
"One thing you have to be careful about,
however. In this method OF cooking Any
left over from dish cooked in a fire.
less should always be brought TO a good
boil before standing II away, else Il Is alb
too likely 10 sour and ferment within a
few hours owing TO the heat Of tho cooker
being less than the boiling point"