Customer Reviews

The American History Cookbook

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This cookbook is a great history cookbook. It has been meticuously researched. There are original recipes from every era in America History- Indian recipes from before the Pilgrims landed, recipes during prohibition and so on. The commentary that goes with each recipe helps to put the recipe in its historical context and provides an overview for what was going on at the time. It is interesting reading and fun to try these recipes. The directions are clear and most of the recipes do not require unusual ingredients. Additionally the end results are usually pretty good.

This is an excellent book for homeschoolers hoping to put a new twist on history and teaching about people of the past. This is also a great resources for the cooks who have every other cookbook on their shelves.

Enjoy.

Compiled, written and edited by Boston journalist and restaurant critic Mark H. Zanger, The American History Cookbook combines recipes from centuries of American history with historical commentary. Indexed by year of the original publication of the recipes, The American History Cookbook is sure to be a family favorite as its dishes such as "Preble Cake," "Walnut Oat Burgers," "Ground-Nut Soup" continue to be enjoyed through the generations. A unique compendium of authentic, historic American cuisine, The American History Cookbook is a superbly presented and enthusiastically recommended addition to personal, family, and community library cookbook collections!

I won't repeat what other reviewers have said about the research -- I agree that this book is a meticulous investigation into the history of American foodways. What I want to comment on is the recipes. I've tried most of them & found them very clear, well-tested, and ... delicious! I'm especially impressed with the baked goods. The breads, cakes, and pies are fantastic. I've served a number of these dishes & baked goods to friends, to rave reviews.

I particularly appreciate the fact that Zanger took the time to explain the methods and ingredients so that even beginner cooks (or children who are old enough to handle knives & hot stoves) could work their way through these recipes. He's always careful to explain how the recipes would have looked, tasted, or been cooked in the past, while teaching thet reader exactly how to accomplish the same result in a modern kitchen. Highly recommended.

I am going to admit upfront that I haven't actually made any of the recipes in this book. So, my review has nothing to do with the outcome of any of the recipes.

That being said, this is one of my favorite cookbooks. I'm a cookbook addict (I have a bookshelf in my kitchen full of cookbooks). The thing I love so much about this book is reading it.

I'm not a history buff, but the history in this book is presented in a way I've never seen (history seen through the eyes of the hungry). I often pull this book off the bookshelf and randomly open it to read. This book stands on it's own as a book of history, and not just a cookbook.

Now that I have two young girls who are getting interested in cooking, I think I will introduce them to some of the recipes in this book. A prior reviewer said the recipes turn out well, so I'm excited to start trying them.

This detailed cookbook is a fascinating look at historic America through the foods that were cooked and eaten. Over 350 recipes from 1524-1977 are detailed in their original form. Each chapter contains three to seventeen recipes and gives you advice on how to update them for modern day cooking. For instance the 1607 recipe for Indian or Bean Bread lets you know you can substitute baking soda for hardwood ashes!

This is a great book for anyone interested in history and food. It also would be great to use as a teaching tool along side American history lessons!

Love this cookbook. It is very interesting if you are interested in the history of american cooking. I love that it is chronilogically ordered and that the recipes are not to difficult to do with a child.