THE CHINA MAIL, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1959.
PRACTICAL HOMECRAFT
TAKE-IT-EASY-COOKS
The Ambassador's daughter serves up a scorcher...
by HELEN BURKE
We discussed the meal and I only with the curry, because there are cut- ries and curries and so many are frowned upon by curry chefs,
NE evening in the early
days of my housekeep was concerned ing, while the meat was still young and I had already made several "disappear-
from ances"
the dining- room, guest stood up, draped his napkin over his arm and said: "Each time you rise, I will, too." That taught me a lesson I have never forgot.
People do not come to you for what they get to eat, they
want your company, but they will gradually drop out if you take no trouble at all with the meals
serve.
The sauce was the worry, For this, I had
a special recipe given to me yeura ngo by the best Indian chef I know. But he did not use a ready-mixed curry-powder.
Own
on an
Instead, with an agate rolling-
he rolled out his pin, selection of ingredients
gate "board" and, to him, flour
curry was anathema.
Lail's recipe called for four. She agreed, however, to omnit it, then set off to my favourite slee shop for other ingredients. Her purchases were
more exotic than mine nigh! have
you
of
ben.
Laila Spence, wife Kenneth Spence, director of
a City firm of grain chants, agrees.
LAILA SPENCE... the sauce was the worry.
All wns ready well before glass of sherry and at the last meal-time
minute, 21⁄2 lo 3 cz.
double rtcain, Wedges of lemon ere passed with
Lalia has since told me that fhils was the most delicious curry she had ever made and was the right thickness-with- out flour! I think that the fresh chillies could have been dispensed with or, per haps, only one used and care- fully removed before serving.
Side dishes
Curles are mer-
As she does not go out to business, she can cook early on the day itself and can shop, of course, a day be forehand.
A traveller
She produced as extras ground ahoads, creamed coconut, dried tomorinds, ground corlander reeds, turmerle and Juny- podded fresh chillies,
Her dessert
most
ΤΟ "ake it easièr," people would buy the cream bung-but not Lalla, She made them the day before her party, and all that remained to be done
A them was to
with whipped lightly sweetened vanila-flavoured double cream.
-A GUIDE TO FURNISHING YOUR HOME IN 1959
The Cosy Look-1 See
It Coming Back
FOR 10 days the British the taint par ieved too digna and, more recently, on avion and not English enough.
was
public had a chance, at test; it was, on the whole, badly Italion. Earls Court, to examine the done: and it was un-English.
lines, the colours and the
shapes that the furniture trade proposes for them in 1969.
Functional
because 悲 locks
Possibly They have been influenced by warmth. the vivid colours of modern art:
"I feel now that even if I the shattering impact of the Picasso-Matisse exhibition, on at imaginable-willly plain, were doing up the most modern drab post-war London is still with concealed lighting, shenta V unforgettabic.
of glass, masses of space -- gill They have been influenced by somewhere I should
materials they have an
want to enormous deep sofa dealt with before; covered in slik taffeta, with such as imitation hide and buttoned back, elaborate fringes, laminated plastic, and by new piles of cushions and two deep standing alongside.......... techniques in veneering and armchairs Jaminating wood.
the 10 give
room warmth, They have been restricted by character and receptiveness." the demands of mass production and by a wide-open market for cheap furniture.
Anything made in stork Ten years ago it seemed safe uncomfortable lines, finything a food of new to predict that the British, once patterned with squares, triangles had never enthusiastically embarked on and African sculpture motifs, contemporary" furniture, would any blend of bright colours such be faithful to it.
red, yellow, white, black, The leading firms switched to lime-green, tnything gloomily it, talentedi
designers functional young
or aggressively un- came forward and did their best comfortable
trustingly filled up accepted as "contemporary.” for it, leading stores their windows with Senndir- vith furniture and entled on the And there was a flimsy look to British to admire it, the leading it. Furniture makers, custing home glossy preached modern, cround for a new idea, fastened and all the women's magazines on it, guve their chairs spindly followed it,
legs and fell in love with right angles; flung out their chintzes and bought up diamal moquette in abstract pattemel
Significant
it
Today seems much less certain that "contemporary" is all that people want,
The reaction towards a more Victorian degree of comfort and cosine; the alacrity will which the publle responds to rose- patterned chintzen and Regency accompanied by
the desire striped wallpapers: dishes.
In all sorts of skie
Here is her recipe: Melt 3oz. for a kitchen that spells homell- Laila's case these were buller in 1% gills water. When
ness, warmth and good Inod Poppadums (a thin pliable the mixture boils, remove It rather than clinicul efficiency- wafer made in India) dropped from the heat and drop in all these are significant straws into bolling oli for
few 3 oz. a
finur. Beat until in the wind. minutes Jun! beture serving: emcoth. Leave to of chicken grute
apples dressed with lukewant, then beat fit two (bought packaged) in clarified
Juice and chopped mint; large eggs, one at a time.
The butter to a pale gold. Mean- chopped bananas coated with mixture must not be too soft or while, cover ! oz. drled lemon juice, sileed pineapple, it will not puff-neither will it tamarinds with boiling water and mango pickle. No Bombay If it is too Orin? and leave to infuse.
duck (1, too, dislike this dried ish).
Far enoug chicken abmond curry for four persons, gally try four breasts
Very gently cook 4 to 0 oz. chopped onions in 2 oz. butter, without colouring them. Add a finely chopped Bramley seedling
Until her marriage six months ago, Lailu tavelled round the world with her father, Sir Andrew Noble, garlic and cook for a minute or who is now the British Am-so. bassadog to Mexico and was previously in Poland, land, the Argentine and and fund coriander seeda
China.
Fi-
For her dinner party for four last week, Laila decided on Bisque Bomard, Chicken Almond Curry and Choux a la Creme, which
would describe as cream buns with hot chocolate sauce.
Wis
"Like your other guests like to lake it easy," Lalla said, "but I do want my friends to Imow that I have taken some trouble for them."
Well, that is pride of aight port.
the
cool
to
Drop portions from the tip of a teaspoon ou to greased Rice is a "must" with curries, baking sheet and bake for 25 Here La Lalin's way:
to 30 minutes in the middle of a fairly hot oven (400 degrees of until golden brown and dom to the
Allow 14 oz. Patna rice for F. er gas mark 0), apple and a chopped clove of
each serving. Wash and cook it for 17 minutes in just enough salted boiling water to cover it. Then wash it in cold water
Nuxt, work in + teaspoon
furmeric powder, 2 Oz creamed coconut, salt to taste and I to 1 tablespoons of medium-strong curry-powder. ("A curry should be hot enough to bring out two drops of perspiration on the brow!')
Blend in a tablespoon of tomato puree and stir over the heat. Remove and slowly blend in 1 oz, ground almonds, 3⁄4 pint stock or water and the liquid from the
and drain well. To re-heat it
80
Menirb: Laila
'n
But as designer. Christopher Heal said: "People are beginning now to see how hollow the thing termed contemporary was, how shoddy it was, and how badly It has been done.
is
"What they want now something with a positive Idea behind it, and fewer of the con- ventional gimmicks. Furniture is a serious business."
Vivid colours
where
Our
Why has this happened?
If is dimeult to see There
several reasons: "contemporary" began. chiefly, it seems to me, because furniture makers drew on Scon-
are
NEW-and here to stay
TERE are some new ideas
THE DROP-IN WASHBASIN; In furniture which are Obvious idea for a bedroom, to be incorporated in a long slicit. the likely to stay with us:
UNIT FURNITURE:
At
at once cuts slice off the top of each and next day Alla them with cream,
for
More
ahe swirls enough bulter in
THE FOOTREST: That'uld- and more of it this year.
hi- prley curserole to coal the inside
the
end, This hot chocolate sauce is fashioned pouffe turns up in a that the rlee will not stick. passed She turns
with the buns: Break new square form, designed as a
enthusiasts, a splendid range of the rice into it, 3 oz. very smooth biller cho- covers it with
lazy man's extension to a deep mahogany you can have indivi- a folded cloth colate into a small bowl stand-
armchair, or extra seating on its dually designed for your room, and lets it warm through.
with cupboards for TV and ing in pan of warm water. Jown.
loud- record-players, twin Add a teaspoon of leing sugar
speakers for stercuphonic sound, WAIT and half a breakfastcup water.
Leave to melt together.
record cabinets, Sur In a hazelnut of butter and heat through. That is ali.
'Quick' lobster
The lobster bisque is very tamarinds. easy to prepare. It is a French
Lastly add the chicken breasts,
packet soup, with full direc- eut into sultable pieces, and tons on the label. (It cun also three fresh chilles. Cover and be bought in cana.)' Lalia, gently simmer for 1 hours. being inventive, adds to it a
THE CONVERTIBLE: 1 hhe lost that give-away look of two mattresses on top of each other, and turns up looking like a day bed; or a plain Louch with a I have used this chocolate back that swings over out of the sauce, which is better than all way. the fuss-making ones I have met up with.
--(London Express Servico).
for
Firms respond
And certainly, Immediately after the war they were in-
désire of the Mony of our leading firme are fluenced by the
now responding to this feeling. something new C-Plan, públic
whose designa hove modern and strictly forward-shown great zast and imagina- looking.
tion, are turning, in their newent range, to a lighter, more elegant and graceful look, with more flowing lines.
Upholstered furniture is less chunky, but deep and comfort- nble. Lines are less stark,
Stag furniture have intro-
#
Certain
of
One thing, however, seens certain. Much
what Is termed "contemporary" герге- sunts, In fact, a decisive break duced a bedroom suite that is with the Engilsh traditions of frankly 18th-century in inspira- mahogany, decorative tradition on! # furniture-making,
for
and mounts, a look of respect
good handler kmanship, a solid lasting solidity combined with grace. look and the satisfaction of a The new Cintique Decorntor superb piece of wood.
Ai least one of the leading young designers, Rokin Day, thinks that we are now out of touch with this English tradi-
And one of the success stories tion. "People atroad," he told of the last two years is Greaves me, "sometirans Bay they think and Thomas, whose mahogany there is still a tradition of good line restored on old favourite English design; personally, I to public esteem. suspect NOT,
"There was an English tradi- " tlon-and a superlatively good one--but it was fatally inter- rupted by the Industrial Revolu- tion and the century that follow- ed it. ₫ think we have yet to recover it.
"There has been no steady
range of chairs are curved, wide and cosy, upholstered in silky looking fabrics or the wool la beautiful colours like lemon, beige and deep tangerine.
Decisive years
The next five years may well be decisive in the history of modern English furniture.
Will this reaction "contemporary" bo along with native styles?
a return
gainst confirmed,
to more
Will our designern be able to
dowing-on, as there has been, for instance, in the Scandinavian countries on whose ideas we have been largely drawing where modern design is a logical before." development of what has gone digest modern design, to rely
'Lacks warmth signs that a start has been mode
Top interior decorator David
Not so pricy, the multi-width range, with every piece made in Hicks thinks people have now seven widths, Designs Include had enough. " notice a definite an excellent sideboy, desk and reaction against Contemporary bookcase,
with a capital C," he told me..
Jess on Inspiration from abroad, and to learn from the past?
If this is done--and there are
furniture in Britnin may well have achieved, in five years' time, a look that is not only distinctively modern, but clearly English
-(London Express Service),
Let's Eat
#
IDA BAILEY?ALLEN
Spanish Flair Gives
New Flavour To Food
LET'S have a Spanish
Saute unul salt pork is half-
dinner tonight, cooked Add 4 lb. pre-soaked said the Chef, dy white beans and 9 gls, boil-
Madame,"
the
menu
ing water.
Simmer 2 hrs., or until beans are soft.
Add 2 ibs, peeled small whole potatoes and 1 b, dieed tender
"It's just a short walk to Fornos restaurant where the cuisine is authen- tie."
"This
In fascinating, kule or cleaned spinach leaves. Chef said after we were seated.
Boll until potatoes are tender. What taste-appealing dishes, different yet mude of Remove 2 potatoes and mash familiar foods]
alnooth with 1 tbsp. Spanish olive oil. Blir into soup to act as thickoning, Simmer 8 min Surve with crusty bread, Makes enough for 2 meals.
"Garbanzos beans,. appear oftert, So do rabbits, spicy sausages, chicken, fish and the varlety meats, They're all fine foods we should use more often
and in more Imaginative ways." Trips Madziieno: Soak 2 lbя. Here is the menu we enjoyed. fresh tripe 30 min. In 3 thep. 1 had the Spanish Bean Soup vinegar and cold water to cover. and the Chef had the Tripe. Madriteno.
Discard vinegar-water.
Cover tripe with about 2 qtæ. Dinner in Spanish Tradition fresh cold water. Bring to a
boll; cook 15 min.
Olive-Chick Pea Saladoties.
Tiripe Madŕlleno or Spanish Bean Soup
Flaky_Rice
Cauliflower
Flan Caramel Custard Cream Coffee
Alt medearementa, ore level; recipes for 4 to 8
Apanlah Been 'Boap: Dico 1⁄2
1b. lean salt park or bapon.
Place in large saucépań with
SPANISHI KNOW-HOW londs new Bavour to suck favourites ne a pot af Beam Boop, Flan Caramel Custard, Třipe Madrileno.
In 1/3 c. Spanish olive oil, coute 11⁄2 ¢, small-diend chorizo (hot spley sausage), 3 diced and 1 c. minood siicos Bacon peeled oglón, ·
Add 1 cleaned, split calf's or Add mont, 1 (8 oz.) can los pig's foot, 1 peeled section gar- mato pasta and 1 diced seedad ilc, 1 sliced modium onion, 1 tsp. sweat red popper, Bimmer 10 powdered marjoram, 1 tbsp. min. parsley flaken, 1 bay leaf and 1% isp. salt,
Simmer 3 lira, or until meals are fork-tender.
Add reserved tripe quid. Simmer last 1 ht,
Flam Chéamel Chitari, Orsemi Molt Hb. granulited, sugną. In comes multinomis Higildiilored
Beat eggs with 1/3 c. grozu Inted sugar, Add 24% c. milks and 1/8" tap, vanilla,
Ladle into, custard cups. Dust with nutmeg. Place in pan of hot water.
Bake 80 min. in moderatö oven, 370*, Chill.
Olive-Chick Pao Saladettes From the Chaf
YOUR BIRTHDAY
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 14
•
BY STELLA
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY IS
RORN today the stars have given you exceptional talent in the realm of music which should be developed early in life if you are to make this your life's career. You also must cultivate the Indulgent. More self-discipline is necessary if you are to reach the heights to which your natural gifts entitle you,
ORN today you are essentially an outdoors person. You love nature, all animals, and seem to be able to make friends with the wild folk of the woods. This may be because your constitu-habit of hard work, for you are inclined to be a little too self- tion to function well, needs a large quote of fresh air and sunshine. You also have a rather religious nature and you seem to feel you are bearer the spiritual life when away from the turmoil of urban ilving.
You have high standards and are quite critical of those who do not adhere to what you believe is right. With you there can be no compromise between right and wrong, This may appear lo make you a rather austere perfon, but this is not quite the entire story. You may be aloof to casual acquaintances, but to those whom you know intimately you are warm-hearted and affectionate.
There is quite a bit of the reformer in your make-up, but since you have progressive ideas and are original in your approach to everything, you are likely to come up with some very novėl solutions for an old problem. You have a dignified approach and, as you grow older, people will look to you for help and advice.
Among those born on this date are: Ida Lupino, actress; John Harman Randall Jr., nuthor and philosopher; George Jean Nathan, critic, author and edilor; Juliet Corson, reformer.
To find what the stars have in store for you tomorrow, select your birthday star and read the corresponding paragraph. Lot your birthday star be your dally guide,
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 15
PISCES :(Feb. 20-Mar. 20) -
Fond of Juxurious living, you enjoy Ane clothes, good
Lood and pleasant surroundings. The social lite has a tremendous ap- peal to you and sometimes you find it difficult to forego an invita- tion when actually you should be working.
You have a great deal of nervous energy and start out with a big bang, but your enthusiasm peters out before a job is finished. Than you'll start something now--and start off with the same rush of energy, only to lase interest again before very long. Concentra- tion to purpose and finishing everything you have begun is a les son you must learn carly in life if you are to reach a substantial success in life.
Although you have a host of casual acquaintances, you will have a very small circle of intimate friends. To these few you will show your natural, genuine self. You actually have a much more serious strain in your nature than you are given credit for. You have an inner life that very few. If any, really know about.
Among those born on this date ore: John Barrymore, actor; Mme. Marcella Sembrich, singer: Charles Lewis Tiffany, merchant; Sir Ernest H. Shackleton, explorer: Cyrus H. McCormick, inven- for and manufacturer,
To find what the stars have in store for you temorrow, select your birthday star and read the corresponding paragraph. Let your birthday staf be your daily guide,
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16
AQUARIUE (Jan. 21-Feb. 10) LEO (July 24-Aur, 23)--
AQUARIUS (Jan. 21-Feb. 19) { LEO (July 84-Aug. 23). This has been a hectic wook, After your usual devotional |--Make" the most of today and A day when friendly соброта so relax tensions today. Get duties, spend the balance of the tomoprow to execute an im- tion will bring unexpectedly some health-restoring rest. day in restful recreation.
portant sieur deal.
happy results. Get a grént deut done. FISCES VIRČIO (ASE, 14-Sept. 23)—
(Feb, 20-Mar. 20)--- VIRGO (Aur. 94-Bopt. £3)---- To gird yourself for a strenuous A friendly gathering of con- Cultural Interesta are being Mest some, important people at two weeks- ahead, build up genial frienda can prove inspira- [highlighted for you today. Main ||a Juncheon today. Advanco | anorgles today.
ilonat, at this time.
an important discovery.
your professional interests. ARIES ·(Mar. 21-Apr, 20) a'm
LIDIA LABRA (lept, #4-004, 23)———-
(Sept. 24-Oct. 23)— Catch up on your studies if you Rebuild nervous energy with i ARIES (Mar. 11-Apr. 20)-News from some distant, place have been neglecting them of complete text from all workaday It your work is in the field of may formulate your plans for late, Concentrate today.
problema,
advertising, publicity or selling, the next few days. Act wisely. BAULT SAMr Thier il) SCORPIO (O«t. 26-Now, KR)--- | thín should be your day!
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21)--- If you have been under a Flan a quiet familly, Kathering TAURUS (ART. 21-May 81)--- | Give félpful advice in businesk nervous slet i lately, rest, and at your home, and enjoy the day. Concentrate on personal money matters involving a contract to
matlers relax toda rebuild energies, by your own dresión.
and Improve your someone who, needs help. CHIMENEA MAP: 22-JUNE 213--| SAGITTARICA, (Ner. #2-Des, future outlook in business.
SAGITTARIUS (NAY, RE-DE Church attendance and a good 28)ake some dociklons, today „GHEMINT (MY-EP-Jupe #1)-|R2)—Thet will be needed loony, sermon thus murbing may mayr that can be put into operation You have two, splendid days or you may be aucuned of interi
May, moititufal feffectively torporrow.
shend nò, get in sarly start-to--| ference. with other people's
DANCER (7%M $2»7%ly 33)--
Drain, reserving liquid. There zmáli hégyy, try-pan until it be? -ness and, minced sexllions, with fupling START MORPHLOGEN: (Don, $3»sti, day on käme,major objective.
should be 2 e,
thep. Spanish olive oil. AdS To finish, cut, trips in bilan
1⁄4 b. diced charito (hot spicy sized places, Dies meat from
CRIF's or Dis's foot.
oz.): cuisset, dray folting ki each to farm coating.
Dress „drained- espned chick you
visagli golivs oll, salt and pep-
black or Gresk olives.
willy Catch up on, your intierswelling. 20)mabzintz Foornes arst toden àn nas! Loangth Bend of that important Far glober
| busisers letter: Dow;