Because I love to research old department stores, I've tried to collect cookbooks from as many of them as possible. "Lord & Taylor's Every-Day Cook Book" was printed for the store's 150th anniversary in 1976 and is a reprint of the book first issued in the 1860s. The cover feels like flocked velvet, which I suppose someone thought was a good idea, but this is certainly not practical for those who use the book while cooking! Still, it's fun to see what the store's customers were eating and drinking years ago.
I was especially intrigued to come across these directions for making tea. A gill, by the way, is about four ounces of water. And below, you'll find the book's directions for iced tea, which "may be prepared from either green or black alone, but it is considered an improvement to mix the two." Now that iced tea season has arrived at my house, I may just have to try this and see if I agree!
I'm glad you told us what a gill is, that is a new term to me even though it is obviously an old term!
ReplyDeleteYou knew we would be wondering what a "gill" was, thanks! Fun to read!
ReplyDeleteLove old cookbooks to hear their descriptions....impressive cover!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to know what a 'gill' is too! I've seen it in old cookbooks but was never able to figure out the equivalent measure.
ReplyDeleteWe love green and black iced tea at our house during the summer. We mix half black tea and half berry green tea - just right for a hot Texas summer!
Old cookbooks always make me smile. Thanks for the explanation of gill.
ReplyDelete