Historical Cooking Books: The complete confectioner, pastry-cook, and baker : plain and practical directions for making confectionary and pastry, and for baking (1864) – 21 in a series
Archive.org has a host of old cookery books (from mid-19th to mid-20th Century) available in many formats and on a host of topics. I happened across a few in my Pinterest feed and gone completely down the rabbit hole in this treasure trove of information. Sure some ideas might be out of date, but you never know what you might find when you explore these books. I’ll be sharing more books as I find them in the coming weeks. –Douglas
What might you find in these old cookbooks? What special recipes have been handed down to you? Share in the Comments!
Available in PDF, Text, JPG formats, and more
PREFACE
TO THE AMERICAN EDITION.
Almost every foreigner who visits this country remarks with astonishment the ahnost universal neglect of that art upon which, more than any thing else, depends the health and comfort of a people ; and by many scientific men have most of the prevalent diseases of this country, especially the dyspepsia, been ascribea to the hurried, crude and unwholesome manner in which our food is prepared ; of latter years, more attention nas been paid to cooking; but the handmaiden of that parent art, confectionary, is still neglected and unknown, yet it is of little less importance than the graver branch referred to. Confectionary is the poetry of epicurism it throws over the heavy enjoyments of the table tht relief of a milder indulgence, and dispenses the delights of a lighter and more harmless gratification of the appetite. The dessert, properly prepared, contributes equally to health and comfort; but “got up” as confectionary too often is, it is not only distasteful to a correct palate, but is deleterious and often actually poisonous.
In introducing to the American public the modes by which the table of hospitality may be enriched andadorned, we have consulted every authority, French or English, within our reach; but the basis of our little work is to be found in Read’s Confectioner, a late London publicationi,
Having for many years been connected with the oldest, most extensive and successful confectionary establishment in the country, we have been enabled to make from our own experience many important modifications and to introduce many additional receipts, particularly m relation to the various articles of luxury which the bounty of our soil and climate render almost exclusivel) American.
The volume has thus been increased in size, and we trust improved in value.
Trusting that our efforts to advance the populai Knowledge of the art which has for many years engaged our attention, may meet with approbation, we present the result of our labours to a candid and indulgent Public.
Chestnut Street, Philadelphia.
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