by Laurel | March 7th, 2014
07 March 2014
Today I’m pointing you to the 1886 publication 625 Choice Recipes from the Ladies of the Second Congregational Church of Holyoke. I’ve actually had this book online for 16 years, not necessarily representing a genealogical gem of data, but rather for fun with a dash of poignancy.
There is a lot to like about this cookbook: the differences between cooking standards 0f 1886 and 2014 — 128 years. Some of these recipes are easily adaptable to your kitchen today with similar measurements and familiar instructions, after all culinary chemistry offers the same basic principles most of us are familiar with. There is an index of recipes by name.
What I really love about this book is what has been a tradition for decades in local cookbook publishing: each recipe has the name of the person who donated the recipe — something presumably used in his or her life. I have a few genealogical connections in this book and I enjoy seeing the various recipes they must have been proud enough to submit for publication. There is a name index so you can easily find submitters. Maybe you will find an ancestor who liked to cook.
Finally, a chapter offers a section called “Food for the Sick” and most of the recipes are attributed to local physicians of that time. The recipes are worth looking at, though not necessarily appealing. But hey, a cure is a cure I guess — so please pass Dr. Grout’s Koumyss (Sparkling Milk Champagne).
Have a great weekend everyone!
