Plain Jane Food

The mailing address for Home Gardening Magazine reads:

MRS. W C HODGES

GOODWARD BOX 899

TALLAHASSEE FLA

And yet it reached Margaret every time!

From the January, 1951, issue:

In A... Southern Kitchen

by Erna Harris

PLAIN JANE FOOD

Plain Jane Food is just what the "budget doctor" ordered... after the too-rich feasting of the holidays!  Have you ever noticed how good plain food tastes in January?  Why, it's just like a breath of fresh air after a stuffy room!  So let's serve something simple... something tasty... something like corned beef and cabbage... a real "Plain Jane" food in culinary circles.

MENU

CORNED BEEF AND CABBAGE BALLS

BOILED POTATOES IN JACKETS

SALAD GREENS WITH FRENCH DRESSING

CHEESEY-CORN MUFFINS

7-MINUTE PLAIN JANE PRUNE WHIP

SAUCEY-CUSTARD TOPPING

DEMI-TASSE

Quite a change from stuffed turkey... but what a welcome change!

Corned Beef and Cabbage Balls

1 medium sized head of cabbage

3 medium sized onions, minced

3 tablespoons margarine

1 (1 lb.) can corned beef minced

3 tablespoons prepared mustard

   dash of pepper

Steam whole head of cabbage in a small amount of water until tender, about 15-20 minutes. Drain, reserving pot liquor, reserve core and remove 12 of the larger leaves intact. Saute onions in margarine until golden, combine with corned beef and mix well. Now divide mixture evenly among the 12 cabbage leaves, which have been spread with mustard. Roll and fasten securely with toothpicks. Arrange in greased casserole, sprinkle with pepper and add 1/2 cup of cabbage "pot liquor." Cover and bake in a moderate oven about 1 hour. Makes 6 servings.

Cheesey-Corn Muffins are just what the name implies.  Deliciously toothsome, and chock full of snappy cheese!

Cheesey-Corn Muffins

1 cup flour

1 teaspoon salt

2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 cup sugar

1 cup yellow cornmeal

2/3 cup grated snappy cheese

1 cup milk

1 well beaten egg

2 tablespoons melted shortening

Sift flour with salt, baking powder, and sugar; add cornmeal and grated cheese; mix.  Combine remaining ingredients; add all at once; stir until dry ingredients are moistened but not smooth.  The batter will be lumpy.  Fill greased muffin pans two-thirds full.  Bake in hot oven for 25 minutes.  Recipe will make 1 dozen muffins... the "plain Jane" kind that go well with corned beef and cabbage!

You make this Plain Jane dessert just like a 7-minute frosting.  Simple, and very good!

7-Minute "Plain Jane" Prune Whip

3 egg whites

1/2 cup sugar

2 tablespoons lemon juice

3 tablespoons prune juice

1 teaspoon grated lemon peel

   few grains salt

1/2 cup chopped, cooked prunes

Combine all ingredients except prunes in top of double boiler.  Cook, beating constantly with rotary or electric beater, until mixture forms peaks, about 7 minutes.  Fold in the chopped prunes.  Chill.  Serve with this saucey topping:

Saucey Custard Topping

Combine 3 slightly beaten egg yolks, 3 tablespoons sugar, few grains salt.  Gradually stir in 1 1/2 cups milk, scalded.  Cook in double boiler over hot, not boiling, water until mixture coats spoon, stirring constantly.  Add 1/2 teaspoon vanilla.  Chill rapidly.  6 servings.

Au Revoir

'Til February

When "A Hearts and Flower Dinner" is our Valentine to the new bride!  Until then, remember, "Plain Jane" is quite a dish!