Economy at Home

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 943, 9 April 1930, Page 4

Economy at Home

Whenever there are times of stress the household purse, is, as a rule, the one that gets tightened first of ail. There should, however, be no need to make this apparent, because it is so easy to provide and cater for families by devising wholesome, tasty meals as appetising as they are inexpensive. Here are a few suggestions that may help those anxious to experiment. Tomato dumplings are a change, and this is the way they are made: Plunge the quantity required of large tomatoes into boiling water to loosen the skin, then skin them. Sprinkle well with pepper and salt, and roll them in thin pastry, Just as you would apple dumplings. Then bake in a brisk oven until the pastry is nicely browned. If preferred, it is possible to roll the tomatoes in thin suet crust and boil like an ordinary boiled dumpling. In any case, the result Is worth while. - Here is the way to make an inexpensive sweet that is nourishing and a general favourite with young people. Put half a cup of milk in a saucepan to heat, when just on the boil add one dessertspoon of cornflour mixed to a smooth paste with a little milk. Put on the fire again, keep stirring to prevent lumps, and boil for five minutes; then cool. Beat a tablespoon of butter with half a cup of sugar, to which a little essence of some sort has been added, for ten minutes; then add to the cornflour and beat well. This sweet will be more appreciated if served with stewed fruit, plums, for example. If bananas are too ripe for eating they should be utilised in some inexpensive way for serving as a sweet. Bananas baked in lemon juice are pleasantly different, and not much trouble to prepare. Cut four or six bananas into halves lengthwise, put them into a greased baking dish. Peel two large oranges and divide them into sections, then add the bananas. Sift half a cup of sugar over the fruit and add half a cup of lemon juice. Bake for 20 minutes and serve either hot or cold. This will make a welcome accompaniment to cold meats. Here is another way to use bananas. Stir quarter-cup of melted butter into two cups of sifted soft breadcrumbs. Sprinkle the bottom of a baking dish with crumbs, and cover w'ith sliced bananas, about four or five. Sprinkle with a little sugar, to which has been added a little powdered cinnamon. Add a layer of breadcrumbs and sliced bananas, and repeat until the ingredients have used up, leaving a layer of breadcrumbs at the top. Add the juice of a lemon and bake for 25 minutes. Serve hot. There should be sufficient with the quantities mentioned for eight people.