Miss Beecher's Housekeeper and Healthkeeper Containing Five Hundred Receipes for Economical and Healthful Cooking; also, Many Directions for Securing Health and Happiness

There is no doubt of the fact, that American housekeepers have far greater trials and difficulties to meet than those of any other nation. And it is probable that many of those...

The person who decides what shall be the food and drink of a family, and the modes of its preparation, is the one who decides, to a greater or less extent, what shall be the hea...

It is probable that there is no one direction in which conscientious persons suffer so much doubt and perplexity as on the right apportionment of time and property. Clear views...

In selecting the furniture of parlors, some reference should be had to correspondence of shades and colors. Curtains should be darker than the walls; and, if the walls and carpe...

The laws that regulate the generation, diffusion, and preservation of heat as yet are a sealed mystery to thousands of young women who imagine they are completing a suitable edu...

In the chapter on the _Right Use of Time and Property_, the important explanation was made of the great law of love to God and to our neighbor, which includes in its aim and spi...

Whenever the laws of body and mind are properly understood, it will be allowed that every person needs some kind of recreation; and that, by seeking it, the body is strengthened...

Good manners are the expressions of benevolence in personal intercourse, by which we endeavor to promote the comfort and enjoyment of others, and to avoid all that gives needles...

Where sugar is made by slaves, the little children feed constantly on it, and grow fat and healthy. But they are nearly naked, live out-of-doors, exercise constantly, and have n...

When “the wise woman buildeth her house,” the first consideration will be the health of the inmates. The first and most indispensable requisite for health is pure air, both by d...

In regard to the physical education of children, Dr. Clark, Physician in Ordinary to the Queen of England, expresses views on one point in which most physicians would coincide....

First, let us say a few words on the _Preparation of Soil_. If the garden soil be clayey and adhesive, put on a covering of sand, three inches thick, and the same depth of well-...

Any discussion of the equality of the sexes as to intellectual capacity seems frivolous and useless, both because it can never be decided, and because there would be no possible...

Many a woman without servants, or with those untrained, must do her own washing and ironing, or train others to do it, and this is the most trying department of housekeeping. Th...

The topic of this chapter may well be prefaced by an extract from Herbert Spencer on the treatment of offspring. He first supposes that some future philosophic speculator, exami...

It is interesting to notice in the histories of our Lord the prominent place given to the care of the sick. When he first sent out the apostles, it was to heal the sick as well...

There are few women who have charge of servants or of children, in the family and school, who do not suffer anxiety and perplexity, and sometimes remorse, in attempts to perform...

There is no duty of those persons having control of a family where principle and practice are more at variance than in regulating the dress of young girls, especially at the mos...

One of the most interesting illustrations of the design of our benevolent Creator in establishing the family state is the nature of the domestic animals connected with it. At th...

At the head of this chapter is a sketch of what may be properly called a _Christian_ house; that is, a house contrived for the express purpose of enabling every member of a fami...

There is no point where a woman is more liable to suffer from a want of knowledge and experience than in reference to the health of a family committed to her care. Many a young...

Every young woman, at some period of her life, may need the instructions of this chapter. Thousands will have the immediate care of buying meats for the family; and even those w...

as the best mode of illustrating the practical applications of these principles to the art of cooking, and to show how much American women have suffered, and how much they have...

In using salt and pepper, diversities of strength make a difficulty in giving very exact directions; so also do inequalities in the size of spoons and tumblers. But so much can...

There is such an intimate connection between the body and mind, that the health of one can not be preserved without a proper care of the other. And it is from a neglect of this...

The most important article of food is good family bread, and the most healthful kind of bread is that made of coarse flour and raised with yeast. All that is written against the...

Both the health and comfort of a family depend, to a great extent, on cleanliness of the person and the family surroundings. True cleanliness of person involves the scientific t...

For permanent covering, lay brandy papers over the top, cover them tight, and seal them; or, what is best of all, soak a split bladder and tie it tight over them. In drying, it...

There is nothing which has a more abiding influence on the happiness of a family than the preservation of equable and cheerful temper and tones in the housekeeper. A woman who i...

Wet the arrow-root with a little cold milk, and add it to the quart of milk when boiling hot; sweeten it very sweet with white sugar, put in the grated lemon-peel, boil the whol...

A shallow fire-place saves wood, and gives out more heat than a deeper one. A false back of brick may be put up in a deep fire-place. Hooks for holding up the shovel and tongs,...

The art of keeping a good table consists not in loading on a variety at each meal, but rather in securing a _successive_ variety, a table neatly and tastefully set, and every th...

The multiplication of recipes for cakes, pies, puddings, and desserts is troublesome and needless, inasmuch as a little generalization will reduce them to a comparatively small...

There is no practice which has been more extensively eulogized in all ages than early rising; and this universal impression is an indication that it is founded on true philosoph...

That women need as much and even more scientific and practical training for their appropriate business than men, arises from the fact that they must perform duties quite as diff...

Most of the preceding stews will serve also fairly as soups, by adding more water. Rub salt into meat for soups, but not for stews, as the salt extracts the juices; and in stews...

In a work which aims to influence women to train the young to honor domestic labor and to seek healthful exercise in home pursuits, there is special reason for explaining the co...

Fresh-gathered vegetables are much the best. Soaking in cold water improves all. Always boil in _salted_ water, a tea-spoonful for each quart of water. Do not let them stop boil...

The beef of an ox is best, and the next best is that of a heifer. The best pieces for roasting are the second cut of the sirloin, the second cut of the ribs, and the back part o...

What shall we have for breakfast to-morrow? is the constant question of trial to a housekeeper, and it is the aim of the present chapter to meet this want by presenting a good a...

These are the common ways of spoiling hashes: 1. by frying, instead of merely heating them. Melted butter and oils are good and healthful when only heated, but are unhealthful w...

Vinegar for pickling should be sharp, but not the sharpest kind, as it injures the pickles. Wine or cider vinegar is reliable. Much manufactured vinegar is sold that ruins pickl...

It is hoped a day will come when these laws of God will be put on tablets in school-rooms and houses, as are the ten commandments in our churches, and that all children will be...

The educating influence of works of natural beauty and of art can hardly be overestimated. Surrounded by such suggestions of the beautiful, and such reminders of history and art...

The customs of the American people are more conformed to those principles of the Christian family state which demand protecting care for the weaker members, than those of any ot...

=How to keep cool in Hot Weather.=—Sit in a room covered with matting or without any carpet, and keep the floor wet with pure water and a watering-pot. In hot nights, place a do...

In case of a common cut, bind the lips of the wound together with a rag, and put on nothing else. If it is large, lay narrow strips of sticking-plaster obliquely across the woun...

One of the most interesting and instructive illustrations of the design of our Creator, in the institution of the family state, is the preservation of the aged after their facul...

=An Excellent Way to cook Tough Beef.=—To eight pounds of beef put four quarts of water, two table-spoonfuls of salt, half a tea-spoonful of pepper, three tea-spoonfuls of vineg...

Drinks made of the juice of fruits and water are good for all who are in health. Various preparations of cocoa-nuts are so also. Tea is often made or adulterated with unhealthfu...

=Stewed Oysters.=—Strain off all the oyster liquor, and then add half as much water as you have oysters. Some of the best housekeepers say this is better than using the liquor....

To a person accustomed to a good table, the manner in which the table is set, and the mode in which food is prepared and set on, has a great influence, not only on the eye, but...

=Broiled Mutton or Lamb Chops.=—Cut off the skinny part, which only turns black and can not be eaten. Put a little pepper and salt on each one, and broil by a quick fire. Mutton...

Success in preparing savory meats and salads depends greatly on the different sauces, and these demand extra care in preparation and in flavoring. The following is a sauce that...

My dear Friends,—This volume embraces, in a concise form, many valuable portions of my other works on Domestic Economy, both those published by Harper and Brothers and those pub...

The simplest mode of warming a house and cooking food is by radiated heat from fires; but this is the most wasteful method, as respects time, labor, and expense. The most conven...

Sweet Food, Remarks—Queen of all Puddings—Flour Pudding—Flour and Fruit Pudding—Rusk and Milk—Rusk Pudding—Meat and Rusk Pudding—A good Pudding—Pan Dowdy—Corn-meal Pop-over—Best...

Prominence given to Care and Cure of the Sick by our Saviour—Every Woman should know what to do in the Case of Illness—Simple Remedies best—Fasting and Perspiration—Evils of Con...

Intimate Connection between the Body and Mind—Brain excited by improper Stimulants taken into the Stomach—Mental Faculties then affected—Causes of mental Disease—Want of oxygeni...

Good Manners the Expression of Benevolence in personal Intercourse—Serious Defects in Manners of the Americans—Causes of peculiar Manners to be found in American Life—Want of cl...

How to keep Cool in hot Weather—Indelible Ink—To keep Eggs—To prevent Earthen, Glass, and Iron ware from breaking easily—Cement for broken Ware—To keep Knives from Rust—To clean...

Women need both scientific and practical Training even more than Men—Woman’s Duties as important as difficult, and much greater in Variety—The business of a Housekeeper includes...

Easier for a Household under the Guidance of an equable Temper in the Mistress—Dissatisfied Looks and sharp Tones destroy the Comfort of System, Neatness, and Economy—Considerat...

Relative Importance and Difficulty of the Duties a Woman is called to perform—Her Duties not trivial—A Habit of System and Order necessary—Right Apportionment of Time—General Pr...

Meaning of the Word Right—How do Men decide what is wise, best, and right?—What is an intuitive Principle in all rational Minds—Who are called righteous and virtuous Men in all...

Preservation of the Aged, designed to give Opportunity for Self-denial and loving Care—Patience, Sympathy, and Labor for them to be regarded as Privileges in a Family—The Young...

A Virtue peculiarly American and democratic—In aristocratic Countries, Labor considered degrading—The Hours of Sunlight generally devoted to Labor by the working Classes, and to...

Importance of some Knowledge of the Body and its Needs—Fearful Responsibility of entering upon domestic Duties in Ignorance—The fundamental vital Principle—Cell-life—Wonders of...

Interesting Association of Animals with Man, from Childhood to Age—Domestic Animals apt to catch the Spirit of their Masters—Important Necessities—Good Feeding—Shelter—Cleanline...

Modes of economizing the Wash—Good Washing depends on Conveniences—Articles needed—Common mode of Washing—Fine Clothes—White Articles—Colored Articles—Flannels—Bedding—Calicoes—...

Woman’s Responsibility as chief Educator of the Family—The meaning of the Word _Right_—The End, or Object, for which all Things are made, and how learned—Difficulties in interpr...

The general Properties of Heat, Conduction, Convection, Radiation, Reflection—Cooking done by Radiation the simplest but most wasteful Mode: by Convection (as in Stoves and Furn...

Ice-cream—Strawberry Ice-cream—Ice-cream without Cream—Fruit Ice-cream—A Cream for stewed Fruit—Currant, Raspberry, or Strawberry Whisk—Lemonade—Ice and other Ices—Charlotte Rus...

The Art of keeping a good Table—Successive Variety—Doing every thing in the best Manner—Stores and Store-rooms—Flour—Unbolted Flour—Indian-meal—Rye—Buckwheat—Rice—Hominy—Arrow-r...

Marketing—Beef—Different “Cuts,” etc.—Veal—Mutton—Pork—Poultry—Fish —Shell-fish—Care of Meats—To salt down Beef—To cleanse Calf’s Head and Feet—To prepare Rennet—To salt down Fi...

Tea—Coffee—Fish-skin for Coffee—Cocoa—Cream for Coffee and Tea—Chocolate—Milk Lemonade—Strawberry and Raspberry Vinegar—White Tea and Boys’ Coffee—Dangerous use of Milk—Simple D...

General Directions—Canned Fruit—To clarify Sirups for Sweetmeats—Brandy Peaches—Peaches (not rich)—Peaches (elegant)—To preserve Quinces whole—Quince Jelly—Calf-foot Jelly—To pr...

New Soup and Stew Kettle—General Directions—Stews: of Beef and Potato; Mutton and Turnip, (French;) Simple Mutton; Beef, with vegetable flavors; Fowl, with Celery or Tomatoes—Ir...

Four Ways of spoiling Hashes—Hashes: of Fresh Meats, seasoned; Cold fresh Meats and Potatoes; Meat, with Eggs; Meat, with Tomatoes; Beef; Veal; Rice and cold Meats; Bread-crumbs...

Distinction between emotional and voluntary Love to others—This the Principle to guide in the Care of Servants—Ladies who do their own Work—Intelligence saves Labor—Benefits of...

General Supplies—Receipts for Corn-meal—Hominy—Rice—Economical Breakfast Dish—Biscuits of sour Milk and Flour—Pearl or cracked Wheat—Rye and Corn Meal—Oat-meal—Wheat Muffins—Sal...

Connection of Muscles and Nerves—Microscopic cellular muscular Fibre—Its Mode of Action—Dependence on the Nerves of voluntary and involuntary Motion—How Exercise of Muscles quic...

General Directions.—_Cake raised with Powders_—One, two, three, four Cake—Chocolate; Jelly; Orange; Almond and Cocoa-nut.—_Cake raised with Eggs_—Pound Cake; Plain; Fruit; Huckl...

Table-cloth—Napkins—Table Furniture—Bread—Butter—Dishes—Soiled Spots—Plates to be warmed in Winter—Certain Dishes served together—Strong flavored Meats—Boiled Poultry—Jelly—Fres...

General Remarks—Fine and unbolted Flour—Middlings—Kneading—Yeast: Hop and Potato; Potato; Hard—Bread: of fine Flour; of middling or unbolted Flour; raised with Water; Rye and In...

General Directions—Soup Stock—Soup of Potato—Plain Beef—Rich Beef—Green Pea—Dried Bean or Pea—Clam—Vegetable and Meat for Summer—Dried Pea, with salt Pork—Dried Bean or Pea, wit...

Construction of the Body in Relation to Food—The Construction of a Kernel of Wheat as proportioned to the Body—Construction and Action of the Stomach—Advice as to Food, Drinks,...

To Cook tough Beef—Boiled Ham—Beef—Fowls—Fricasseed Fowls—To boil Leg or Shoulder of Veal, Mutton, or Lamb—Calf’s Feet—Calf’s Liver and Sweet-breads—Kidneys—Pillau—Smoked Tongue...

The best Beef—Brown Flour for Gravies—Roast Beef—To roast in a Cook-stove—Roast Pork; Mutton; Veal; Poultry—Pot-pie of Beef, Veal, or Chicken—Mutton and Beef Pie—Chicken-pie—Ric...

Boiled Mutton or Lamb Chops; Beefsteak; Fresh Pork; Ham; Sweet-breads; Veal—Pork Relish—Frying—Calf’s or Pig’s Liver—Beef Liver—Egg Omelet—Frizzled Beef—Veal Cheese—Codfish Reli...

The Laws of Health are Laws of God, and should be taught to all Children—Laws of Health for the Bones, Muscles, Lungs, Digestive Organs, Skin, Brain and Nerves, Teeth, Eyes, Hai...

General Remarks—Potatoes—Old Potatoes—Potato Puffs—Sweet Potatoes—Green Corn—Succotash—Oyster-plant or Salsify—Egg-plant —Carrots—Beets—Parsnips—Pumpkin and Squash—Celery—Radish...

General Directions—Sweet Pickles—To pickle Tomatoes; Peaches; Peppers; Nasturtions; Onions; Gherkins; Mushrooms; Cucumbers; Walnuts; Mangoes; Cabbage—To prepare Tomatoes for eat...

Mode in which the Body is nourished by the Air—Construction of the Lungs and Heart—Description of Evils consequent on Neglect of a proper Supply of pure Air 150