Molasses Posset

Guyyyyyyyys. My head is so buuuuuuurny! And my throat is huuuurty and I can't breeeeeeeaaathe! Nobody can tell how I suffer! But it is always so. Those who do not complain are never pitied. *snivel/whine*

But I have not languished in vain. I have found many fine preparations for invalids like myself. I hope they will bring you all the joy that is denied me. :'(



MOLASSES POSSET.--Put into a sauce-pan a pint of the best West India molasses; a tea-spoonful of powdered white ginger; and a quarter of a pound of fresh butter. Set it on hot coals, and simmer it slowly for half an hour; stirring it frequently. Do not let it come to a boil. Then stir in the juice of two lemons, or two table-spoonfuls of vinegar; cover the pan, and let it stand by the fire five minutes longer. This is good for a cold. Some of it may be taken warm at once, and the remainder kept at hand for occasional use.

It is the preparation absurdly called by the common people a stewed quaker.

Verdict: Quite nice! Soothing on the throat and pleasant to the taste! Much nicer than Robitussin. Yechhh. I used sorghum instead of West India molasses, as I couldn't find my regular molasses and sorghum is smoother anyway. Remember sorghum? Notice how it specifies. That is to differentiate between sugar cane molasses and sorghum molasses. I also scaled the recipe waaaaaay down and nuked it for 30 seconds in the microwave instead of simmering it half an hour. Forgive me, I am enfeebled.


REJECTED:

RAW EGG. --Break a fresh egg into a saucer, and mix a little sugar with it; also, if approved, a small quantity of wine. Beat the whole to a strong froth. It is considered a restorative.

LEAD WATER. --Mix two table-spoonfuls of extract of lead with a bottle of rain or river water. Then add two table-spoonfuls of brandy, and shake it well.

Raw Beef Sandwich for Invalids. Scrape some raw beef fine, season with salt and pepper, and spread between two thin slices of slightly buttered bread; then cut in strips. ~S. Adelaide Hall, M.D.

Raw beef sandwiches from The Woman Suffrage Cookbook [1886], all others from Directions for Cookery, in its Various Branches [1840].