  BETTINA GIVES A DINNER "THE Christmas feeling is everywhere now!" said Bettina, as she arranged a small artificial fir tree in the center of the table. "It may be a little early, but I can't keep from using Christmas decorations to-night. Tannenbaum, O Tannenbaum, you look wonderfully festive with snow at your foot and your branches strung with tinsel and ornaments! All that you lack is candles, but I shall use my red shaded candles on the table instead. Let me see, everything is ready, even to the biscuits which are in the ice box waiting to be popped in the oven when the guests arrive. The salad is mixed and waiting, and that Washington pie does look delicious! I'm glad I made it, for Bob is so fond of it. Wonder why Bob doesn't come! I want him to see the table and the tree before the others get here! And build up the fire in the fireplace. It's snowing hard outside, and I want it to be warm and cozy inside. There's someone! Well, off goes my apron!" The "someone" proved to be Bob, who came in, very pink as to his face, and very white as to his snow-covered shoulders. "It's growing colder every minute!" said Bob. "Well, a Christmas table! I like that! Makes a fellow feel festive!" "I couldn't resist the spirit of Christmas," said Bettina. "I couldn't, either," said Bob, taking a half-dozen gorgeous yellow chrysanthemums from their wrappings. "So I bought you an early Christmas gift. Like 'em?" For dinner, Bettina served: BETTINA'S RECIPES (All measurements are level) Orange and Cherry Salad (Two portions) 2 oranges ½ C-white cherries ½ C-diced celery 1/8 t-salt ½ C-salad dressing Remove the white membrane from the pulp of two oranges, and cut each section into half, crosswise. Add the seeded cherries, celery and salt. Mix thoroughly. Add the salad dressing, and serve very cold on lettuce leaves. Washington Pie (Six portions) 11/3 C-sugar 3 eggs ½ C-water ½ t-lemon extract 2 C-flour 2 t-baking powder Beat the egg-yolks five minutes, add the sugar and beat three minutes. Add the water, lemon extract, flour and baking powder. Mix thoroughly. Fold in the beaten egg whites very carefully. Bake twenty-five minutes in two round shallow pans in a moderate oven. When cool, put the following filling between the layers. Sprinkle the top with powdered sugar. Cream Filling for Washington Pie 2/3 C-sugar 1/3 C-flour ½ t-salt 1½ C-milk 1 egg-yolk ½ t-vanilla ½ t-lemon extract Mix thoroughly the sugar, salt and flour. Gradually add the milk, stirring constantly. Pour into the top of a double boiler, and cook until very thick. Add the egg-yolk, vanilla and lemon extract, and cook two minutes. Beat until creamy and cool. Spread on the cake. Serve Washington pie with whipped cream if desired. |
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