Monday, September 8, 2014

The Whys of Cooking

Janet McKenzie Hill - The Whys of Cooking (1919)

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After some usable cookbooks here's something different.  Actually you can cook from it but wouldn't want to.  The first hint is the publisher - Procter & Gamble.  Then note the first section (after an introduction that quotes Ude, the author of The French Cook) is "The Story of Crisco".  Yep, it's a promotional publication for Crisco disguised as a cookbook.  In addition to assorted Crisco-filled recipes are layouts for "the modern kitchen," descriptions of Russian and English services (basically Russian is what we get at restaurants and English is mostly how we serve at home) and "Suggestions on Serving Meals without a Maid".  Here's how to improve your social status!