The Washington herald., 1913-01-20
MEALS ON TIME IS
RULE FOR HAPPINESS
Promptness Of Service viii Do Much
Toward Smoothness IN House.
hold Affairs.

The origin of that pithy phrase that
is the guide and direction for peace
loving wives the country over. Feed
him first and talk to him afterwaro'
seems veiled in mystery.
Its wisdom, however, is apparent. NO
| little trouble has been spared IN hunting
| for its source in the hops that from
the same fount of wisdom and ADVICE
might come some directions about no"
\ to make sure the food is OF the sort
| that will not give the poor dears a SAD
outlook upon life and make them retuse
| to talk at all, except of dire calanities
and life insurance
| There are some things that every
| housewife ought to know about serving
a meal that will please the average man
and how not to serve one that VIII give
him indigestion and grounds Tor divorce
In the first place, follow the old RUE
and have the meal ready at the proper
| time. Then you can feed the hungry
and possibly find opportunity to talk to
| him later.
Never Let Dinner Get Behind Time.
Having dinner late and trying to I'LL in
with talk is fatal Never let dinner get
| behindhand. If by any chance things DO
, mestic do go wrong and the hour for
| serving is DELAYED ten minutes, don let
| that make any difference in having the
table set and everything in readiness 10
serve the meal Any man who is IN the
habit of returning home tired and halt-
starved enjoys seeing signs OF good
things for dinner the minute ne enters
the house.
Even though dinner will be ten minutes
late. let husband see the table spread
and note nothing to warn him that ne
will have to wait. Nine times out OF
ten. perchance, he won't even notice the
difference in time.
1t is planning the dinner so as to have
It delicate and appetizing when ready
to serve IL husband is a few minutes late
that is a more tantalizing problem Tor
the inexperienced housewife. Cars will
get held I'D and other things interfere
to make the Homecoming hour vary
from ten minutes to hah an hour, and In
planning dinner this time must be taken
into consideration.
"Perishable'' foods. as they are called.
because they will not be at their best
except for one delicious moment. must
be avoided, except upon such occasions
as the presence of all the family is as
sured. and delay in serving is impossible.
Never Put Chops on the stove Early.
Steaks and broiIed chops, that are
often served at family dinners. are
quickly prepared and always good, but
they must not be put near the stove
until the presence OF the lord OF the
household is announced.
Meats prepared in the casserole are
best suited to dinners where there Is
likelihood of delay. Any sort OF meat
pie or stewed meat may be poured Into
the casserole and placed in the oven.
The longer it cooks the better its flavor.
The thick earthenware pan prevents
scorChing and retains the flavor.
A steamer is a great help in keeping
things that are thoroughly cooked at the
proper temperature without letting them
get dry or overdone. Potatoes that are
boiled may be placed in the steamer,
and SO NAV the other vegetables. This
will keep them hot and moist II the
potatoes become crumbIy from too long
cooking, mash them when husband ar
rives.
The housewife who must see to the
preparing of dinner herself and wishes
TO have it done to turn at the psy-
Geological moment when husband comes
home, will eschew hot desserts and
serve, as a rule, custards, stewed fruit,
cake or pie that is best eaten cold
Sometimes. however, nothing is more ap-
petizing than hot dessert.
Steamed Puddings Come in Handy.
Steamed puddings are, perhaps, the
most satisfactory for this purpose. All
the work of preparing them can be done
before time to begin the regular dinner
preparations. A steamed pudding is bet
ter the longer II steams. so there 10 no
trouble about having It ready at the
proper time.
Mince pie is easily got ready. 1t can
he made in the morning and then set
in the oven to heat through during the
serving Of the meal II cold meat is
served-and many familits have one din
ner a week at which no hot meat is on
the table-then be sure 10 have a hot
and rich dessert.
Having the plates and dishes hot at
the time to serve the meal is important.
Nothing is more tantiIlzing than having
to wait for plates and dishes to warm.
This dilemma may be prevented by plac-
ing the plates and dishes in the warm
ing oven of the range as soon as dinner
preparations are under way.
One other thing the housewife should
remember. If she begins getting dinner
in plenty OF time and puts away pots
and pans and washes the utensils as she
finishes them. her task will not be half
SO tiring, and washing the dishes after
the meal will be a simple thing Then
there will be time for that talk,