Place of Origin

United States ➔ New York

Date of Composition

1831-1880 [bulk]

Description

This store-bought, hardbound notebook contains approximately 120 recipes, remedies, and household hints written by an unknown author. While some savory dishes such as oyster pie, chicken salad, shad, and sausage are outlined, the book primarily focuses on sweets. Among the many cakes covered are coconut cake, pound cake, fruit cake, sponge cake, measure cake, gingerbread, crullers, Mountain Cake, Shrewsbury Cake, Lincoln Cake, Sermon Cake, and "Essie Bevier's Honey Cake" (dated 1877). A recipe for "M. Phinney's Ice Cream" is copied from "The Goudy Lady," perhaps referring to the popular women's-interest magazine Godey's Lady's Book. Panela, jellies, marmalades, and fruit syrups are also glossed, as are Current Shrub and Condale, an eggnog-like drink traditionally served by the Dutch to celebrate the birth of a child.

Also found in the book and in accompanying loose papers are instructions for preserving butter, removing tar spots, purifying water, and using salt medicinally; recipes for soda biscuits, beef cures, and Temperance Mince Pies; and various remedies, including one for "dislodging a fish bone from the throat."