Retro Recipes for the Sick

I have been gifted with my first cold of this school year thanks to the darlings that attend the middle school where I work.  It's not entirely their fault - wait a minute - of course it is!  Our school is completely aware of the hazards of germs and is proactive in that we have hands free hand sanitizers readily available in every hallway and placed strategically throughout the building.  The staff does a good job of reminding the students to wash their hands frequently and to cover their coughs and sneezes.  However, germs are germs and the children are in the main office in September probably more than any other time of the year making phone calls home for missed buses, forgotten lunches, etc. and I use the same phones.  It's inevitable.  With over 1100 students and crazy mornings with kids coming and going we really don't have time to think about disinfecting the receivers every time a phone is used or wiping down all the doorknobs with sanitizing spray every time a door is opened. 

I came upon some recipes 'for the sick' in my old "Rumford Complete Cook Book" by Lily Haxworth Wallace that I thought would be fun to share.  Thank goodness that we have drugs that work and comfort food that tastes better!  I think that if many of us saw some of these 'remedies' headed our way it would be motivation enough to get well.  

Barley Water 

2 level Tbsp.  pearl barley
1 quart cold water
1/3 level tsp. salt
Juice of half a lemon
Also a little sugar if desired

Wash the barley, pour the water over it and soak for several hours.  Add salt and cook in a double boiler for at least three hours.*  Strain through cheese cloth or a fine strainer, flavor with the lemon, and add sugar if liked.

*I hope the person being cared for doesn't expire while this elixir is being prepared!

Toast Water

2 slices of stale bread toasted.
1 cup boiling water
1/6 level tsp. salt

Toast the bread till golden brown and dry all through, or dry it in a moderately hot oven till golden brown and crisp.  Pour the boiling water over it and add the salt; cover and set aside till cool.  Strain, and serve hot or cold.  Some* add milk, cream and sugar, and serve hot in place of tea or coffee.

*nice people

Eggnog

1 egg
2/3 cup milk
1 level Tbsp. sugar
1 Tbsp. rum or brandy*
Pinch of salt

Separate the white from the yolk of the egg, beat the latter and add sugar, salt and milk.  Stir in the rum or brandy and beat, and add the white of stiffly beaten egg at the last moment before serving.

*medicinal, of course.  If nothing else, you'll take a nice nap!

Wine Whey

1 cup milk
1/2 cup sherry or port wine

Boil the milk, add the wine and remove from the fire at once.  Let stand till the curd is separated from the whey, then strain through a fine cloth and serve as it is, or reheat.*

*Are you kidding me?  Separating curd from whey...and straining?!  Just give me the sherry or port wine, shut the door and leave me alone!!

There are several other 'Recipes for the Sick' that I will share when just the thought of reading or typing them doesn't make me sick!  Some involve clams and rump roast.  Yum.  If all else fails you will probably feel better in about a week.  And remember to wash your hands!