Place of Origin

England ➔ Herefordshire ➔ Hereford

Date of Composition

1800-1833

Description

This receipt book contains approximately 100 pages of recipes plus a 2-page index in the back. On first glance, the book appears to be written several different hands, but closer inspection suggests that most of the entries are written in the same hand, albeit with different squibs, with a few entries perhaps contributed by other writers. The library has deduced the book's place of origin as Hertford, in Hertfordshire, presumably on the basis of four recipes attributed to a city newspaper. (Two of these recipes appear on manuscript page 78, and two are visible in digital image 48.) In fact, the attributions clearly read "Hereford," which is a different city, in the English county of Herefordshire.

The book is mostly given over to medical and household recipes, but it also contains culinary recipes, some of which are noteworthy. There is an uncommon recipe for "Bran Bread," page 15. "Camp Puddings," page 50, turn out to be beignets souffles, a conceit more sophisticated than the recipe title would suggest. "Spanish Pancakes," page 65, are basically sweet omelets in the form of crepes. "Striped Lutestring," page 66, is a pate consisting of alternating layers of ground bacon and seasoned ground veal, rabbit, or chicken. "Marlborough Cake," page 71, is a sponge cake. "Devil's Pot," page 81, is a highly spiced pickle for "green fruits" or vegetables, "fresh as you gather them, only wipe them clean."