Mrs. Dukin Goes to Cooking School

"We have heard that until a woman gets married, she doesn't even know how to boil water. Therefore, this first recipe is

FOR BRIDES ONLY: HOW TO BOIL WATER
Carefully place 2 cups of water in a pot, next place cover on pot and put on stove. Then stand by and watch until you see little bubbles in the water. Then remove."

That, oh so helpful "recipe" comes from my latest cookbook acquisition.


In doing some research I think this book comes from the early 1950's and it appears that the only place it was published was Florida. (With a title like "Welcome Stranger" I'm thoroughly shocked that this endeavor wasn't more successful!) Apparently it was modeled on the Welcome Wagon concept. When a new bride and groom moved into the neighborhood they were presented with this little book.

This particular copy went to Mrs. Clarence Dukin, 411 SW 9th Avenue, West Palm Beach, Florida.


Each right hand page contains recipes while each left side page is an advertisement for a local business in the Palm Beach area. There's McArthur Jersey Farm Dairy who delivers "multi vitamin milk supplies;" Boca Raton Nursery where "free estimates are cheerfully given with no obligation;" The Royal Patrician Beauty Salon that offered "glamour shampoos and scalp treatments;" and my personal favorite – "Your choice of Any one of Four Free Gifts! Compliments of KIRBY CENTER of Delray Beach! No obligation! All we ask is return is a few minutes of your time to preview a new and amazing product for the home!"

The oddest recipe in the book is for "Filipino Swiss Steak."
1 lb. round steak, cut thick
2 carrots, diced
2 pieces celery, diced
1 small can mushrooms
1 can tomato sauce
1 cup water
salt and pepper to taste
1 large onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, diced

Flour steak and fry in a kitchen spoon of fat until browned. Fry onions, carrots and celery in fat until tender and add 1 tablespoon flour and let cook for 2 minutes. Then add tomato sauce and water. Salt and pepper to taste. Let the meat cook in gravy for 2 hours. Serve with rice.

Am I missing something here or is the only reason this recipe could possibly be associated with the Philippines be that you serve it over rice???



Another interesting recipe which has many, many variations is something I've heard of but never seen in a cookbook before:

SLUM GULLION
4 slices bacon
1 can tomatoes
1 medium onion
1/4 lb. cheese (diced)
1/2 lb. beef (cut in small pieces)

Brown bacon and onions together, add tomatoes and meat and cook until meat is tender. Add cheese and cook until cheese is melted. Serve on bread or toast.

According to this website "Slum gullion" or "slumgullion" or just "slum", is a term from the California gold rush. It meant the mud left in the sluice when panning for gold, and the miners also used it to refer to a thin, watery stew or soup made from leftovers. The term first appeared in print in 1850. Every recipe for slumgullion that I found had different ingredients, which is logical since it was originally made from leftovers." (Go to his website to see more recipes with many variations.)

How bout some Slum Gullion this weekend? With a name like that, how could you resist?