Menu building is never easy work at any time, and meatless cookery does nothing to simplify the task. However, when one good menu has been tried and found to be satisfactory, it is quite simple to replace old dishes by new ones without upsetting the "balance" of the meal. The balance of the food values (or nourishing elements) is most important. Care must be taken to see that for every body-building (or proteid) dish left out, another of equal body-building value takes its place. The same plan must, of course, be followed with the lighter dishes.

The question of balance is too often neglected by beginners in meatless cookery, and this leads to much needless disappointment and failure, and to unfair criticism of the new diet.

The following is a really dainty and attractive menu, and any of the dishes which it includes can be used singly in an ordinary meal at which there are both meat eaters and non-meat eaters.

Meatless Luncheon Or Dinner For Eight persons (or, with half the quantities, for four persons).