kin off the stalks with care, cut them into small pieces, put
into a saucepan with very little water, and stew slowly until soft.
Sweeten while hot, but do not boil the sugar with the fruit. Eat cold.
Very wholesome.

BAKED RHUBARB

Peel and cut into two-inch lengths three bunches of rhubarb. Dredge with
flour and put in baking dish with one cup of sugar sprinkled over. Bake
in moderate oven three-quarters of an hour. Very nice served hot as a
vegetable, or cold as a sauce.

FIG SAUCE

Stew figs slowly for two hours, until soft; sweeten with loaf sugar,
about two tablespoons to a pound of fruit; add a glass of port or other
wine and a little lemon juice. Serve when cold.

DRIED FRUITS

To cook dried fruits thoroughly they should after careful washing be
soaked overnight. Next morning put them over the fire in the water in
which they have been soaked; bring to a boil; then simmer slowly until
the fruit is thoroughly cooked but not broken. Sweeten to taste. Very
much less sugar will be needed than for fresh fruit.

STEWED PRUNES

Cleanse thoroughly, soak in water ten or twelve hours, adding a little
granulated sugar when putting to soak, for although the fruit is sweet
enough, yet experience has shown that the added sugar changes by
chemical process into fruit sugar and brings out better the flavor of
the fruit. After soaking, the fruit will assume its full size, and is
ready to be simmered on the back of the stove. Do not boil prunes, that
is what spoils them. Simmer, simmer only. Keep lid on. Shake gently, do
not stir, and never let boil. When tender they are ready for table.
Serve cold, and a little cream will make them more delicious. A little
claret or sauterne poured over the prunes just as cooking is finished
adds a flavor relished by many. Added just before simmering, a little
sliced lemon or orange gives a rich color and flavor to the syrup.

BAKED PRUNES

Cook prunes in an earthenware bean pot in the oven. Wash and soak the
prunes and put them in the pot with a very little water; let them cook
slowly for a long time. They will be found delicious, thick and rich,
without any of the objectionable sweetness. Lemon, juice and peel, may
be added if desired.

PRUNES WITHOUT SUGAR

Wash prunes thoroughly, pour boiling water over same and let them stand
for ten minutes. Then drain and pour boiling water over them again; put
in sealed jar; see that prunes are all covered with water. Ready for