Sunday, October 4, 2009

How To Cook A Husband

Like what I had promised in FB before, here is the article.

A good many husbands are utterly spoiled by mismanagement. Some women keep them constantly in hot water; others let them freeze by their carelessness and in difference. Some keep them in a stew by irritating ways and words. Others roast them; some keep them in a pickle all their lives

It cannot be supposed that any husband will be tender and good managed in this way, but they are really delicious when properly treated.

In selecting your husband you should not be guided by the silvery appearance, as in buying mackerel, nor by the golden tint, as if you wanted salmon. Be sure and select him yourself, as tastes differ. Dont go to the market for him, as the best are always brought to your door.

It is far better to have none unless you know how to cook him. A preserving kettle of finest porcelain is best, but if you have nothing but an earthenware pipkin, it will do, with care.

See that the linen in which you wrap him is nicely washed and mended, with the required number of buttons and strings nicely sewed on.

Tie him in the kettle by a strong silk cord called comfort, as the one called duty is apt to fly out of the kettle and be burned and crusty on the edges, since like crads and lobsters, you have to cook them alive.

Make a clear, steady file out of love, neatness and cheerfulness. Set him as near this as seems to agree with him.

If him sputters and fizzles, do not be anxious; some husbands do this till they are quite done.

Add a little sugar in the form of what confectioners call kisses, but no vinegar or pepper on any account; a little spice improves them, but it must be used with judgment.

Do not stick any sharp instruments into him to see if he is becoming tender. Stir him gently; watch the while, lest he lie too flat and too close the kettle, and so become useless.

You cannot fail to know when he is done. If thus treated you will find him very digestible, agreeing nicely with you and the children, and he will keep as long as you want, unless you become careless and set him in too cold a place

-Quoted from the `Moravian Cook Book` published in 1910 by the Home Mission Society Of The Moravian Church. Lancaster, Pa. with the kind permission of The Reverend Vernon Graf
PENNA. DUCH FOLK ART PRINTS- COPYRIGHT 1963 JACOB AND JANE ZOOK

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