I love finding old cookbooks. Here’s a special one though. On Gutenberg, this one is from 1852!!
Here’s a link:
A Plain Cookery Book for the Working Classes by Charles Elmé Francatelli
Charles Elmé Francatelli was reportedly the late Maître D’Hôtel and chief cook to the Queen.
Reprinted from the edition of 1852
I think I’ll be trying some of these.
From the book –
My object in writing this little book is to show you how you may prepare and cook your daily food, so as to obtain from it the greatest amount of nourishment at the least possible expense; and thus, by skill and economy, add, at the same time, to your comfort and to your comparatively slender means. The Recipes which it contains will afford sufficient variety, from the simple every-day fare to more tasty dishes for the birthday, Christmas-day, or other festive occasions.
To those of my readers who, from sickness or other hindrance, have not money in store, I would say, strive to lay by a little of your weekly wages … that your families may be well fed, and your homes made comfortable.