  A CHRISTMAS BREAKFAST OF course a tiny Christmas tree was the centerpiece on Bettina's breakfast table, set for a nine o'clock family breakfast. All of the Christmas gifts except those that were too large were grouped around the base of the tree. Bettina refused to allow even Bob to have a peep at the gifts until the guests, Father, Mother, Uncle John and Aunt Lucy, had arrived. "Now, don't you give us too much to eat, Bettina," laughed Father. "I know your mother has been making some mighty elaborate preparations for dinner at home, and you must leave us with an appetite." "Well, you won't have any appetite left if you eat all you want of these waffles of mine!" exclaimed Bob, coming in from the kitchen with a spoon in his hand and an apron tied around his neck. "Go back to the kitchen, Cook!" said Uncle John. "We don't want to see you, but we're willing to taste your waffles. Bring 'em on!" "First," said Bettina, "we'll eat our grapefruit. Then we'll open our packages, and then, Bob, you can help me serve the rest of our Christmas breakfast." "Come on!" said Uncle John. "Then I'll be Santa Claus and deliver the presents!" For breakfast Bettina served: BETTINA'S RECIPES (All measurements are level) Oatmeal with Dates (Six portions) 1 C-oatmeal 1½ C-water 1 t-salt ½ C-dates, cut fine Mix the oatmeal, salt and water, and cook directly over the fire for three minutes. Add the dates, put in the fireless, and cook all night. Serve with unsweetened whipped cream. Ham Cooked in Milk (Four portions) 1 lb. ham (a slice two-thirds of an inch thick) 1 C-milk Pour boiling water over the ham, and allow it to stand ten minutes. Remove the ham, and place in the frying-pan. Add the milk, and allow to cook slowly for twenty-five minutes. Remove from the milk and garnish with parsley. Muffins (Twelve muffins) 2 C-flour 4 t-baking powder 1/3 C-sugar ½ t-salt 1 egg 1 C-milk 2 t-melted butter Mix the flour, baking powder, sugar and salt. Add the egg, beaten, and milk, and beat two minutes. Add the melted butter. Fill well-buttered muffin pans one-half full. Bake twenty minutes in a moderate oven. Waffles (Six portions) 1¾ C-flour 2 T-sugar 1 t-salt 3 t-baking powder 2 well-beaten eggs ¾ C-milk 1 T-melted butter Mix and sift the flour, sugar, salt and baking-powder. Add the eggs and milk. Beat two minutes. Add the butter. Bake in well-greased waffle irons. |
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