Rules for Eating.

Today we have some final advice from the book that has been our source for the week - Jennie June's American Cookery Book (1870). It seems to me that of all the advice we have culled from the book this week, these ‘rules’ are the most enduring and relevant.

RULES FOR EATING.

1. Eat slowly as if it was a pleasure you desired to prolong, rather than a duty to be got rid of as quickly as possible.

2. Don't bring your prejudices, your dislikes, your annoyances, your past misfortunes, or future forebodings, to the table--they would spoil the best dinner.

3. Respect the hours of meals, you have no right to injure the temper of the cook, destroy the flavor of the viands, and the comfort of the family, by your want of punctuality.

4. Have as much variety in your food as possible, but not many dishes served at one time.

5. Find as little fault with the food prepared as possible, and praise whenever you can.

6. Finally, be thankful, if you have not meat, that you have at least an appetite, and hope for something more and better in the future.

I feel like something a little indulgent now, so here, from the book, is the recipe for a rich sponge.

Almond Sponge Cake.

Ten eggs, one pound of sugar, half pound of flour, a few drops of lemon. When these ingredients are well beaten, add half-pound of sweet almonds, blanched, and pounded in a white mortar or stout bowl. To blanch them - that is, skin them - pour boiling water upon them. Add a little peach extract, and bake in a brisk oven. This is very rich.

Quotation for the Day.

Eating rice cakes is like chewing on a foam coffee cup, only less filling.

Dave Barry.