American Antiquarian Cookbook Collection: 14 books

The first edition of this very popular nineteenth century cookbook was published in 1839 as The American Housewife, later expanded to The Kitchen Directory and American Housewife and often republished as The American Housewife and Kitchen Directory. Author Anne Howe’s name did not appear on the title...

The author of this fascinating mid-nineteenth century collection is not credited, but hints suggest that the material is not original and was compiled by the publisher from other sources. The recipes for a broad range of dishes represent basic cooking of the day obviously meant as an “everyday” household...

 Within a year of its publication in the United States, The Cook Not Mad was also published in Canada and thus became Canada’s first printed cookbook. Ironically, the only difference between the editions was a single word: “Canadian” was substituted for “American” in the subtitle. In contrast...

An important and fascinating document of American social history, The Housekeeper’s Manual, or Complete Housewife is believed to be an adapted version of the British best seller The Cook’s Oracle; and Housekeeper’s Manual by Dr. William Kitchiner. Intended as “a Guide for Families,” the cookbook...

 Although the author of this collection is anonymous, her intention was clearly stated on the title page of the book—a thousand practical ways to make good cakes, pies, puddings, and more for the young, inexperienced cook. True to her word, the cookbook is extremely thorough, covering not only the...

 The unnamed author of this charming almanac/cookbook concoction was as a “lady of [New York] who has kept an extensive Boarding-house, for twenty-two years in Pearl St.” She took her almanac word for word, even using the same typesetting, from the most recent Farmer’s Almanac for 1840 by David...

Originally published in London in 1775, One Thousand Valuable Secrets was Americanized and published in Philadelphia in 1795 in an effort to help the newly established United States become self-sufficient from Europe. As stated in the preface, the purpose of the American edition was to “promote industry...

This encyclopedic collection contains forty-four chapters with hundreds of recipes, and it includes discussions of methodology and ingredients as well as detailed recipes for a stunning array of dishes. Included are recipes for preserving fruits and fruit juices, preparation of jams and jellies, fruit...

With the blockade of Southern ports and the lack of trading between the North and South during the Civil War, the Confederacy found itself in great deprivation, lacking its customary supplies. Showing great resourcefulness, southerners developed new ways to feed and clothe themselves and these adaptations...

 The particular emphasis on varieties of seafood in The New England Cook Book, including specific recipes for cod, halibut, striped and sea bass, black fish, shad, salt cod, fish cakes, lobsters and crabs, “scollops,” eels, clams, and oysters easily identifies the book’s origins. It also contains...

The content of The Canadian Housewife’s Manual of Cookery owes much to contemporary cookbooks published in America, England, and France. There are several hundred recipes including soups, sauces, fish, meats, poultry, eggs, game, vegetables, puddings, pancakes, fritters, pastry, cakes, bread, sweets,...

According to the unknown author, “Without a perfect knowledge of the art of Carving, it is impossible to perform the honor of the table with propriety; and nothing can be more disagreeable to one of a sensitive disposition, than to behold a person, at the head of a well-furnished board, hacking the finest joints, and giving them the appearance of having been gnawed by dogs.”

This clever little volume was devised to provide hints on setting a modest but “well-ordered table” for the “young and inexperienced mistress of a household where a moderate income renders economy advisable.” Self-styled as a “Book of Rechauffes [warmed leftovers] together with many other approved...

In the unknown author’s preface, she describes her purpose as to provide ladies with suggestions for what is reasonable for their tables for each day in the week, so they can easily provide an agreeable variety to their families. The menus are organized by month with seasonal considerations, and then...