Crisco's Manufacture Scientifically Explained
To understand something of the Crisco Process, it is necessary first to know that there are three main constituents in all the best edible oils.
Linoline, Oleine, Stearine.
The chemical difference between these three components is solely in the percentage of hydrogen contained, and it is possible by the addition of hydrogen, to transform one component into another.
Though seemingly so much alike, there is a marked difference in the physical properties of these components.
Linoline which has the lowest percentage of hydrogen, is unstable and tends to turn rancid.
Oleine is stable, has no tendency to turn rancid and is easily digested.
Stearine is both hard and indigestible.
The Crisco process adds enough hydrogen to change almost all the linoline into nourishing digestible oleine.
Mark well the difference in manufacture between Crisco and lard compounds. In producing a lard compound, to the linoline, oleine and stearine of the original oil is added more stearine (usually animal), the hard indigestible fat, in order to bring up the hardness of the oil. The resultant compound is indigestible and very liable to become rancid.
The following pages contain 615 recipes which have been tested by Domestic Science Authorities in the Cooking Departments of different colleges and other educational institutions, and by housewives in their own kitchens. Many have been originated by Marion Harris Neil and all have been tested by her.
We have undertaken to submit a comprehensive list of recipes for your use, which will enable you to serve menus of wide variety.
We hope that you have enjoyed reading this little volume and that you will derive both help and satisfaction from the recipes.
We will go to any length to help you in the cause of Better Food. We realize that women must study this product as they would any other altogether new article of cookery, and that the study and care used will be amply repaid by the palatability and healthfulness of all foods. A can of Crisco is no Aladdin's Lamp, which merely need be touched by a kitchen spoon to produce magical dishes. But any woman is able to achieve excellent results by mixing thought with Crisco.
Let us know how you progress.
Yours respectfully,
Things to Remember in Connection with These Recipes
No need for Crisco to occupy valuable space in the refrigerator. In fact, except in most unusual summer heat, it will be of a better consistency outside the refrigerator. Crisco keeps sweet indefinitely, summer and winter, at ordinary room temperature.
In making sauces, thoroughly blend the flour and Crisco before adding the milk.
In using melted Crisco in boiled dressing, croquettes, rolls, fritters, etc., be sure that the melted Crisco is cooled sufficiently so that the hot fat will not injure the texture of the foods.
When using in place of butter, add salt in the proportion of one level teaspoonful to one cup of Crisco.
Remember that Crisco, like butter, is susceptible to cold. It readily becomes hard. In creaming Crisco in winter use the same care as when creaming butter. Rinse pan in boiling water and have the Crisco of the proper creaming stiffness before using. Unlike butter, however, Crisco's purity is not affected by weather. It remains sweet and pure indefinitely without refrigeration.
In deep frying, do not wait for Crisco to smoke. (See page [35].)
Remember That—
When pie crust is tough: It is possible you have not used Crisco properly. Perhaps the measurements were not correct. Perhaps the water was too warm, or the dough was handled too much. Shortening cannot make pastry tough.
When fried foods absorb: It is because Crisco is not hot enough, or because you have not used enough Crisco. Use plenty and the raw foods, if added in small quantities, will not reduce the heat of the fat. The absorption in deep Crisco frying should be less than that of another fat.
When cake is not a success: It is not the fault of the Crisco. Either too much was used, the oven heat not perfectly controlled or some important ingredient was used in the wrong proportion. Crisco should be creamed with the sugar more thoroughly than butter, as Crisco contains no moisture to dissolve the sugar.
When cake or other food is not flavory: Salt should have been added to the Crisco, for Crisco contains no salt.
When there is smoke in the kitchen: Crisco has been burned or heated too high for frying. Or some may have been on the outside of the pan or kettle.
When Crisco is too hard: Like butter, it is susceptible to heat and cold. Simply put in a warmer place.
Hints to Young Cooks
Also, How to Choose Foods, Methods of Cooking, Cooking Time Table, The Art of Carving, by MARION HARRIS NEIL.
Before commencing to cook, look up the required recipe, read and think it out. Note down on a slip of paper the materials and quantities required. Collect all utensils and materials required before commencing. Success in cookery depends on careful attention to every detail from start to finish. Quantities, both liquid and dry, should be exact. Small scales and weights should form part of the kitchen equipment where possible, and the measuring cups cost so little that no one need be without them.
Throughout this book the measurements are level
How to Choose Foods
Money can be spent to infinitely better advantage in the store, than by giving orders at the door, by phone or mail. Every housekeeper knows how large a proportion of the housekeeping money is swallowed up by the butcher's bill, so that with the meat item careful selection is most necessary in order to keep the bills within bounds.
In choosing meat of any kind the eye, the nose and the touch really are required, although it is not appetizing to see the purchaser use more than the eye.