THE ART OF GRILLING

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 857, 28 December 1929, Page 24

THE ART OF GRILLING

HELPFUL HINTS FOR THE AMATEUR COOK It is an art —-the cooking of chops and steaks, and even of making toast, under the griller of the gas stove. But it is one that is very quickly mastered, although the young amateur cook always seems diffident about attempting it.

There are two things to remember. The first is that the grill itself must be red hot, before it is used, and so must the bars of the gridiron. The second is that the food must be watched all the time it is grilling. Some people declare that grilling is an extravagant way of cooking because it requires a great deal of gas. As a matter of fact, the burners have to be on for three minutes to heat the grill. The largest steak does not take more than fifteen minutes to cook and during more than half that time the gas need only be on at half pressure. Neither roasting nor steaming can be done more quickly than that.

While you- are heating the grill, leave the gridiron and pan below it so that they get hot at the same time. Grease the bars of the grid thoroughly as soon as the grill is red-hot, and put the steak on them. Push it into place quickly and lower the gas slightly if the flames threaten to touch the meat. As soon as the outside has been sealed by the heat —it takes from two to three minutes—turn the gas down by half and leave it like that for five or six minutes.

Turn the steak quickly with a knife. Never risk a fork, nor anything sharp which will pierce the meat, or the juices will ooze out and be lost.

Let the second side cook with the gas on at full pressure • for two minutes and at half pressure for five minutes, and the steak is done. Regulate the time for smaller pieces. Chops and cutlets take a minute or two less than a steak.

Grilling is more satisfactory if a kettle or pan is set over the top of the grill. It helps to throw the heat down, and at the same time water may be heated, or some other item for lunch or dinner may be boiled or steamed.

SOMETHING PRETTY!

CHOOSE LUXURY PRESENTS Now that everyone has said “Thank you" prettily for the presents, it is time someone voiced the protest of all the recipients of those “so suitable" gifts. “Something useful, of course—she’s as poor as a church mouse. Woolly gloves or a pair of cashmere stockings, I should think.”

That’s how people talk. Beryl sent woolly gloves of a sensible shade of grey to poor Aunt Lucy. Aunt Lucy opened them on Christmas morning, along with ail the other severely practical presents, for which she was genuinely grateful, but which left her w r ith a curiously unsatisfied feeling. It was very wrong, of course, but she would have liked just one “luxury” present—some embroidered hankies, or a silk scarf, or a box of chocolates—something to make her forget she was 59, and lived in two rooms with butter or jam, and

never both, on her bread at tea. Aunt Lucy in her youth had loved pretty things; she loves them still —a fact which her relatives and friends had apparently forgotten.

Useful and Pretty

Even practical gifts need not be unbeautiful, but there was little to attract the eye in the brow-n cardigan, the drab woollen scarf, and black bedroom slippers that were Aunt Lucy’s portion. They might warm her body, but they would never warm her heart as some little luxury w’ould have done. A box of perfumed soap, a bottle of lavender water, a generous box of really good chocolates—what a thrill they would have given her. The very fact of the frivolous things too often considered sacred to youth being bestowed on her would be a compliment in itself, implying that one person at least credits her with suf-. ficient youthfulness of spirit to enjoy them. Even if you eschew luxuries, and insist on practical gifts, there is no reason why they should not be pretty. Shetland woollies, bedroom shoes of quilted satin, gay cretonne overalls, bed jackets knitted in delicate sweetpea shades—there is no end to the gifts which fulfil the dual role of utility and attractiveness. Heart's Desides

Mothers, as well as elderly aunt 3 and cousins, often fare rather badly in the matter of Christmas presents. Mother may be very pleased when you give her "something for the house”—she may even declare she prefers that' sort of present—but next year try giving her a bottle of scent, or a new manicure .set, instead of stainless knives, and see if she isn’t delighted. Mother may be on the W’rong side of 50, but she still takes a pride in her appearance. A gift for her personal adornment will stimulate her.

Some people carry their love of practical presents even into the realms of youth, and cast a shadow on the Christmas of young and needy relatives by their dreary choice of gifts. It you are one of these Offenders, let your New Year resolution be "luxury gifts next time.” . ...