My correspondent (and friend) Joy has shared a link to an amazing *free* resource, the
Nicole Di Bona Peterson Advertising Cookbook Collection at Duke University's Rubinstein Library. Some 82 vintage recipe booklets are included, and of course this one caught my eye with the pretty tea wares on the cover. And just what IS
The Vital Question, you may ask? It is, according to the inside of the booklet, "a discussion of the food problem and its relation to health and happiness –… including a comprehensive treatise on the principles of cookery … with practical and economical recipes for making simple, palatable and nutritious shredded wheat dishes." Recipes include such delicacies as Strawberries in Shredded Wheat Baskets and Oyster Shredded Wheat Patties.
Like World War II–era recipes? Then you may wish to check out
War-Time Cook and Health Book, with recipes for foods such as Corn Custard, Soft Honey Cake, and Apple Brown Betty.
Perhaps one of the most tempting titles is
Choice Recipes, which features chocolate and cocoa recipes by a "Miss Parloa," including Chocolate Walnut Wafers, Wellesley Loaf Cake, Baker's Chocolate "Divinity" (yes, Walter Baker and Co. is apparently
that Baker's Chocolate), Marshmallow Fudge, Chocolate Cream Pie, and more.
I love old recipe booklets, and when I see a new source for treats that might work at the tea table, I am always inclined to share … as was Joy!
I haven't had time to explore this collection yet, but I knew when I saw it that you'd be interested. I'm so glad you're enjoying it!
ReplyDeleteLooks interesting. Thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteThanks very much for the information! I really love old recipe booklets, too, so I'm sure I'll have fun with this.
ReplyDeleteWhat fun old cookbooks. This reminded me of all the Christmases my mom made Divinity for her friends for gifts along with dates stuffed with walnuts and sprinkled with powder sugar.
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