Successful Baking for Flavor and Texture: Tested Recipes

by Martha Lee Anderson

CLEANING MEAT. Clean all meat as soon as unwrapped with a baking soda solution (1 teaspoon baking soda to 2 cups water). This removes foreign matter and dried blood. Put on a clean plate and place in refrigerator.

FOWL. After drawing fowl, wash well, both inside and out, with a baking soda solution (1 tablespoon to 2 quarts of water). Let solution run through the bird several times. Rinse well with clear water. Pat dry with clean towel.

FISH. Clean fish, both inside and out, in a baking soda solution (1 tablespoon to 2 quarts of water). Dip entire fish in the solution; wash quickly and rinse in clear water. Dry immediately and store in cold place. Before opening, wash clams and oysters with a brush dipped in the baking soda solution. Fresh shrimp and other shell fish should be washed well in the same strength baking soda solution before cooking.

CREAM OF TOMATO SOUP. To prevent curdling, when preparing cream of tomato soup from canned or home-made tomato purée, add ⅛ teaspoon baking soda to each cup of soup or purée before adding it to the milk.

Baking Soda Cleans—Too

TILE FLOORS AND WALLS. To cleanse such surfaces soiled by splashed water, etc., sprinkle baking soda on a damp cloth and rub briskly. Wipe with cloth wrung from clean water and dry. The surface will be clean and shiny. Arm & Hammer or Cow Brand Baking Soda will not harm tile or any composition material resembling it.

ASH TRAYS. Unless cleaned daily these receptacles become offensive. To cleanse, scrub trays either with a baking soda solution (a small handful to a quart of warm water) or use a damp cloth sprinkled with bicarbonate of soda. Rinse and dry. Brass and copper trays may require polishing with a woolen or other polishing cloth.

LINOLEUM OR CONGOLEUM. Dissolve a large handful of baking soda in warm mop water and clean. Rinse with clean water. Do not allow water to seep under floor covering. This method of cleaning leaves the linoleum (inlaid or printed) bright and clean and it will be neither sticky nor slippery.

WASH-BOWLS, TUBS, ETC. Hard water is often responsible for scum and sediment; grease and dirt adhere to surfaces. To remove these sprinkle with baking soda and rub briskly with a damp cloth. Baking soda is immediately soluble and will not clog drains or injure the finest porcelain or enamel.