Some people like one third Indian in their flour. Others like one
third rye; and some think the nicest of all bread is one third Indian,
one third rye, and one third flour, made according to the directions
for flour bread. When Indian is used, it should be salted, and
scalded, before the other meal is put in. A mixture of other grains is
economical when flour is high.
_Dyspepsia Bread_.--The American Farmer publishes the following
receipt for making bread, which has proved highly salutary to persons
afflicted with that complaint, viz:--Three quarts unbolted wheat meal;
one quart soft water, warm, but not hot; one gill of fresh yeast; one
gill of molasses, or not, as may suit the taste; one tea-spoonful of
saleratus.
This will make two loaves, and should remain in the oven at least
one hour; and when taken out, placed where they will cool gradually.
Dyspepsia crackers can be made with unbolted flour, water and
saleratus.
_To make Rice Bread_.--Boil a pint of rice soft; add a pint of leaven;
then, three quarts of the flour; put it to rise in a tin or earthen
vessel until it has risen sufficiently; divide it into three parts;
then bake it as other bread, and you will have three large loaves.
Heating ovens must be regulated by experience and observation.
There is a difference in wood in giving out heat; there is a great
difference in the construction of ovens; and when an oven is extremely
cold, either on account of the weather, or want of use, it must be
heated more. Economical people heat ovens with pine wood, fagots,
brush, and such light stuff. If you have none but hard wood, you must
remember that it makes very hot coals, and therefore less of it will
answer. A smart fire for an hour and a half is a general rule for
common sized family ovens, provided brown bread and beans are to be
baked. An hour is long enough to heat an oven for flour bread. Pies
bear about as much heat as flour bread: pumpkin pies will bear more.
If you are afraid your oven is too hot, throw in a little flour, and
shut it up for a minute. If it scorches black immediately, the heat is
too furious; if it merely browns, it is right. Some people wet an old
broom two or three times, and turn it round near the top of die oven
till it dries; this prevents pies and cake from scorching on the top.
When you go into a new house, heat your oven two or three times, to
get it seasoned, before you use it. After the wood is burned, rake the
coals over th
|