Cheap Ones

These recipes are not mine. They belong to a collection titled "The American Frugal Housewife." Published in 1829, it is "Dedicated to Those Who Are Not Afraid of Economy."

The author, Lydia Maria Child, writes:
"Cup cake is about as good as pound cake, and is cheaper. One cup of butter, two cups of sugar, three cups of flour and four eggs, well beat together, and baked in pans or cups. Bake twenty minutes, and no more."

"There is a kind of tea cake still cheaper. Three cups of sugar, three eggs, one cup of butter, one cup of milk, a spoonful of dissolved pearlash, and four cups of flour, well beat up. If it is so stiff it will not stir easily, add a little more milk."

Mrs. Child's frugal writing style in this work was perhaps chosen to demonstrate that it used less ink than loquacious recipes.

For example, her use of the name "Mrs. Child" in this volume uses less ink than the above signature.

Staying off topic, I share two more recipes that may save you many dollars, if you use as much neosporin as we do in our house.

"An ointment made from the common ground-worms, which boys dig to bait fishes, rubbed on the the hand, is said to be excellent, when the sinews are drawn up by any disease or accident." And: "Nothing is so good to take down swellings, as a soft poultice of stewed white beans, put on in a thin muslin bag, and renewed every hour or two."

Not only that, but as soon as you have recovered, you can eat the beans, and go to the lake for a bit of fishing, using balls of worm ointment as bait. Don't forget to bring a few muffins along, for good measure.