One of My Very Favorite Things

Although I am a self professed minimalist I still own a few small collections of things to be cherished. This antique cookery book was a gift from friends who owned a used bookstore that I worked at about fifteen years ago.  Someone in the past treasured it enough to pay for it to be rebound protecting it for the future(professional rebinding of antique books can sometimes help hold the value as in this case).  In the world of cookbooks few are considered collectible.  This is one of those few.  A New System of Domestic Cookery, 1839 Edition.

There is a whole section on how one should treat servants, on buying things from the butcher, buying cuts of meat, cuts of fish, meat, poultry and game.  A whole section on cookery for the sick.  A very interesting section on brewing.  Although it does contain recipes it is also a little glimpse into the past.

Apparently bread in the early 1800's was an expensive commodity. According to this article on Wikipedia there had been a very poor wheat harvest in 1799 that caused food shortages.  The British Parliament passed a law prohibiting the production of any other flour than wholemeal flour.  This caused the price of bread to rise astronomically.  Due to civil unrest against this unpopular law the Act was repealed two months later. 

 Two sample family dinners to serve.  They don't look too much different than today (I always remove my boiled fowl from the pea soup, doesn't everybody?).

Crackers way before the time of Triscuits (also known as plain and very crisp biscuits).

The sick cookery section is quite large - a sign of the times.  Tuberculosis killed one third of all of those who died in Britain between 1800 and 1850.  This was the time of the industrial revolution and other diseases such as cholera, typhoid, and smallpox were also rampant.  Almost everyone had someone sick in their family - even the rich.

Exact instructions on how to prepare Italian Beef-steak by iron stewpot and fire.

Raisin Wine from the brewery section.  I wonder what kind of measurement a hogshead of spring-water is. 

That is your history lesson via ancient cookery book today - and one of my very favorite things.  I am joining up with Claudia over at Mockingbird Hill Cottage.  Stop over and have a browse for her  Favorite Thing Party.  Cheers!