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 Sure some ideas might be out of date, but you never know what you might find when you explore these books.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
Historical Cooking Books: – Housekeeper’s companion by Bessie E. Gunter (1889) – 17 in a series
What might you find in these old cookbooks? What special recipes have been handed down to you? Share in the Comments!
PREFACE
It is not claimed that the receipts collected in this book are original with the contributors, but that they have been tried and are recommended by them. The compiler of these receipts has sufficient confidence in the experience and reputation of the contributors, al- most all of whom are personally known to her, to justify the hope that they will stand the test of the most critical. Many of these receipts have been used in their families for several generations, others we think will show that the contributors have kept pace with the times and selected the best of those of more recent introduction.
The prime object of the compiler of these receipts is to raise money for a charitable object, but she also hopes to bring within the reach of others many valua- ble receipts.
BESSIE E. GUNTER.
Accomack, C. H., Virginia, August, 1889.
Available in PDF, Text, JPG formats, and more
COFFEE.
Take two pounds of good Java Coffee. Put it in a pan with a piece of lard the size of a hickory nut, to make it brown nicely. Roast slowly, stirring con- stantly, to keep from burning, until it is of a light brown color. To three pints of boiling water put five good tablespoonful or a good gill of ground coffee. Boil at least ten minutes, then take off and settle with a little cold water. Let it stand a short time before taking it to the table, so that it may settle well.
— MRS. M. A. A.
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