This facsimile of the first American-written cookbook published in the United States is not only a first in cookbook literature, but a historic document. It reveals the rich variety of food Colonial Americans enjoyed, their tastes, cooking and eating habits, even their colorful language.
American Cookery by Amelia Simmons
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
The fact that this is a “facsimile of the first American-written cookbook published in the United States is not only a first in cookbook literature, but a historic document” says it all. It’s a small little booklet, but quite insightful, and I’d recommend it to anyone especially those who are collectors of cookbooks and like the looks of having antique items around the kitchen.
I originally found interest in this cookbooks through watching Townsends on YouTube And this particular copy features a hand stitched spine and printing on laid paper, a neat touch, really adding to the character consistent with the time frame in which it was initially published in.
The content of this cookbook was incredibly interesting and insightful. The measurements for the recipes were often in large quantity and some don’t appear to be in quite in perfect ratio for the end dish they were trying to achieve, but I did make a version of the apple cake which turned out to be delicious.
There are also references to meat and vegetable preparation as well as preservation methods.
All in all a cute little glimpse into 18th century cooking!
Check it out at Townsends
