Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1915-12-16

being substituted for the pagan
n yuletide, the famous "boars head"
~ was omitted, and the Christmas pie
became known mince pie. However, many old
observances were kept, including the mistletoe
and holly. and Christmas was day for family
gatherings with feast prepared by the women
OF the house.
1t Is quite possible that we would not like
their favorings today. They used a variety of
spices. wines and seasonngs in even their plain
est dishes; but everything was prepared in
the home, either under the supervision of the
mistress or by her own hands, the mixtures were
wholesome.
Everything turned to account in the sea-
son with view to future use. in this way
preparations for the holiday were going on long
before the day.
In cherry time, a supply carefully packed
in hay and kept for Christmas.
The Christmas cookies, with coriander seed
in them were baked six months before and kept
in earthenware jar in the cellar.
Mince Meat Recipe.
The rich plum pudding and cakes were made
early in the fall and put away to mellow and
ripen
The mncemeat was then made, the recipe for
which was recently found in old Philadelphia
cookbook. We copy all but the spelling -Four
pounds veal, four pounds suet, two pounds rails
ms, pound currants, six apples some rose
water and sack half pound, no more of sugar
three-fourths pound cloves, mace. nutmeg and
cinnamon some candied orange peel lemon peel
ctron and blanched almonds"
They made a puff paste for their pies differ
ent from ours. One recipe called for -four one
pound butter, ten eggs and some milk or water.
Some housewives made their winter supply or
mince pies before Thanksgiving and reheated
them before using
For the lemon tarts, the lemons had to be first
soaked in salt water for two days. Then every
day for fourteen days they were put into fresh
cold water When they were made apples. or
anges and sugar were added
A few days before Christmas the mistress went
to market, the maid carrying the basket She
would get her turkey cranberries, celery oysters
and a little pig for roasting whole.
The day before Christmas the real excitement
began The stuffng made and such stunng
Bread crumbs beef suet liver. lemon peels nut
meg savory. pepper, salt. cream and eggs Inc
little pig only four five weeks DID, was niied
to his utmost capacity with mashed potatoes or
apples.
Not the least to be considered were the green
decorations Ground pine for festoons ana
wreaths mstletoe to hang, and holly everywhere
were the necessities
When Christmas morning came the excitement
was at the highest pitch. The housewife ner
daughters and her maids were up early Inc
brick oven was heated and the mince pies put H.
the spit with a small unwilling child TO "atch
and turn 1t as it Drowned
Another child was set to cracking nuts ana
polishing apples.
Roasting the Little Pig.
The little pig was put before the fire to roast
in the dripping pan. in which were three oo'@'eS
of red wine for basting.
While the things were cooking long lapie'
the length of the room, spread with inc
,rGfp
pewter
In the middle of the table was the famed
Christmas bowl. Here are the quaint direc'iohs
for making it:
Break nine sponge cakes and half pound OF
macaroons in a deep dish; pour over one put
raisin wine half pint sherry. Leave tnem "
soak. Sweeten with two ounces OF powdered
sugar CANDY and pour over one pint and hall
OF custard. Stick with two ounces sliced ALMONDS
Place on a stand and ornament with Cnristmas
evergreens."
The tankard with the Christmas brew was put
on the table and all the silabubs, jellies pickles
lemon tarts red apples nuts. the COOKIES anu 'ho
cherries fresh from the hay.
The nrepaces were now blazing, and the reo
berries and green leaves of the holly were shin
ing in the light.
The mistletoe was waiting for the unwary. ana
the good smell of the brown turkey, savory stui-
nng and applesauce was everywhere
DON Their Best Froeks.
After the housewife and her daughters had
seen to everything they hurried to put on thelr
best lowered silks, with white whims around
their necks and the most secret beautiners on
their faces.
Then the dinner being nearly cooked, they took
the little Drowned pig. raised him gently and put
two small loaves Of bread under him. and added
more wine; an anckovy, bundle of sweet herbs
and q half lemon was put into the sauce, which
was poured over him hot. They had him sitting
on his launches looking lifeiike. THAI they put