Condition: Acceptable: Signs of wear and consistent use. See images for the condition of this book.
Blurb: Originally published in 1879, this cooking classic was praised by Mrs. President Rutherford B. Hayes, Mrs. Chief Justice M. H. Waite, Mrs. Secretary of State W. M. Evarts, and a wide range of wives of Senators and Governors. The editor was the granddaughter of Patrick Henry, and herself one of the famous housekeepers of Virginia.
"This cookbook is both fascinating and sometimes a downright hoot (for the modern day reader). Without even trying, it sucks you into the kitchens of 1877. You know how your mind sets the scene when you read a book? I now could describe to you what the kitchen I'm proverbially the head chef of looks like.
And holy cow, what a job that was. Want bread for dinner? Start 2 hours before breakfast, or if in winter, 2 hours after dinner the previous night. Want to have butter through the winter? Mix a brine and keep submerged. Making a fruit cake? Manually deseed the raisins. Trying to bake dessert? Figure out what "cook quickly" or "bake in moderate heat" means and hope your wood-fired oven isn't too hot. "