The Curious Cookbook: Viper Soup, Badger Ham, Stewed Sparrows & 100 More Historic Recipes

Ross, Peter

ISBN 10: 0712358633 / ISBN 13: 9780712358637

Published by British Library / Mark Batty, London / Brooklyn, 2012

About this Item

8vo, 164 pp.

Seller Inventory # 087845

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Curious Cookbook: Viper Soup, Badger Ham, Stewed Sparrows & 100 More Historic Recipes
• Publisher: British Library / Mark Batty, London / Brooklyn
• Publication Date: 2012
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0712358633
• ISBN 13: 9780712358637
• Binding: hardcover
• Illustrator: Profusely illustrated
• Edition: 1st.
• Condition: Fine copy in fine dust jacket
• Dust Jacket Condition: Dust Jacket Included
• Seller catalogs:
  • Food & Drink

About this title

Synopsis

Historic cookery books contain recipes that to the modern cook can appear quaint, bizarre, revolting or downright absurd. From the frugal to the fantastical, The Curious Cookbook contains some of the most unusual recipes from historical cookery books, from the Middle Ages to the Second World War, to present a positive gallimaufry of fabulous food and other oddities. Historic recipes such as these also provide fascinating insights into the social and economic context of the times. Each recipe is accompanied by an engaging commentary describing the background to the recipe and the writer, and charming contemporary illustrations are featured throughout. Examples of some of the recipes included: Coffins and chastletes (pies), garbage (animal entrails), porpoise with wheat porridge, spit-roasted milk, cowslip tart, a great swan pie, roasted peacock, turtle soup, parrot pie, curried kangaroo tails, invalid stew, mashed potato sandwich, Brussels sprouts mould

About the Author

Peter Ross is the Principal Librarian at the Guildhall Library, London. He is in charge of historical cookery books, of which the Guildhall Library has the largest collection in any UK public library.