Charleston Receipts was first published in 1950 and is the oldest Junior League cookbook still in print. It contains 750 recipes, Gullah verses, and sketches by Charleston artists. This classic cookbook is a must-have for any collector! Inducted into the McIlhenny Hall of Fame, an award given for book sales that exceed 100,000 copies.
 |
Save up to 70% when you rent your textbooks on Amazon. Keep your textbook rentals for a semester and rental return shipping is free. |
Book Description
Frequently Bought Together
Product Details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images? |
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
43 of 45 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Anytime you can find a cookbook that has been reprinted as many times as this one, you know that you have found something special. As diverse as the city itself, CHARLESTON RECEIPTS has a unique blend of regional recipes, kitchen hints and ideas, and practical shortcuts. The offerings range from the everyday (Turkey Tetrazzini) to the sublime (Hampton Polonaise...a luscious cake from 1865).This cookbook has been handed down from one good cook to another since 1950, and with good reason. It is well suited for the modern cook as well as the kitchen veteran.
23 of 23 people found the following review helpful
Charleston, SC has always been known for her gracious hospitality and her wonderful food. The women of Charleston have been entertaining for over 300 years, and Charleston Receipts by the Junior League of Charleston is celebrating its 59th year. Although I'm not sure why Charlestonians call receipes "receipts," I do know that this cookbook is a true classic.
Charleston Receipts was originally published as a fund-raiser by the Junior League for a mere $150 investment. It contains 750 recipes and has seen few changes over the years (although they're now being made out of recycled paper). The book I bought is from the 33rd printing and by my calculations, over 807,000 books have been published. This is America's oldest Junior League cookbook still in print. The profits from Charleston Receipts have been used to support a wide variety of charitable activities.
What makes Charleston Receipts such a classic are the low country recipes. Some have been passed down through centuries and they come from many of the most influential names in Charleston history including Ravenel, Legare, Frost, Laurens, Jenkins, Alston, Maybank, Pringle, and Whaley. Check out the Charleston specialties like benne wafers, she-crab soup, and anything that includes shrimp, oysters or rice. Sometimes the recipes will include a little history as well. The recipe for Regent's Punch is from Lewisfield Plantation in 1783. This book is also filled with sketches, verses, a conversion chart, equivalents, helpful cooking hints and menu suggestions.
Many local writers refer to Charleston Receipts in their own books, the latest being Pat Conroy in South of Broad. After finally purchasing a copy for myself, I can see why this has become such a gem.
Charleston Receipts was originally published as a fund-raiser by the Junior League for a mere $150 investment. It contains 750 recipes and has seen few changes over the years (although they're now being made out of recycled paper). The book I bought is from the 33rd printing and by my calculations, over 807,000 books have been published. This is America's oldest Junior League cookbook still in print. The profits from Charleston Receipts have been used to support a wide variety of charitable activities.
What makes Charleston Receipts such a classic are the low country recipes. Some have been passed down through centuries and they come from many of the most influential names in Charleston history including Ravenel, Legare, Frost, Laurens, Jenkins, Alston, Maybank, Pringle, and Whaley. Check out the Charleston specialties like benne wafers, she-crab soup, and anything that includes shrimp, oysters or rice. Sometimes the recipes will include a little history as well. The recipe for Regent's Punch is from Lewisfield Plantation in 1783. This book is also filled with sketches, verses, a conversion chart, equivalents, helpful cooking hints and menu suggestions.
Many local writers refer to Charleston Receipts in their own books, the latest being Pat Conroy in South of Broad. After finally purchasing a copy for myself, I can see why this has become such a gem.
9 of 10 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
This book if so filled with wonderful southern style recipes. The fact that this book has been around for 50 years and is still a great seller- testifies for itself!
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Amazon Verified Purchase
Charleston Receipts remains the stuff of legend. In my native South Carolina it has always been the Bible of genteel Southern cooking and a must have for entertaining and gracious living.
The recipes in this book provide a link between our modern world, mid 20th century America and our Colonial past. Many of them date back almost two centuries being adapted by each generation to fit their modern needs and conveniences.
The Benne Wafer recipes are legendary since they date to the earliest days of the colony of Carolina. The mixture and influence of African culture shines through in this most Charleston of cookies. The recipe is mentioned in Pat Conroy's works on more than one occasion. Likewise, the recipe for fudge can also be found referenced in his work "The Lords of Discipline."
To cook from Charleston Receipts is to connect with the best of Charleston: it's grace, it's style, it's hospitality, and it's fusion of African and English cultures.
Certainly, the book you want to have on your shelf if you are to assume the mantel of "Southern Cook."
The recipes in this book provide a link between our modern world, mid 20th century America and our Colonial past. Many of them date back almost two centuries being adapted by each generation to fit their modern needs and conveniences.
The Benne Wafer recipes are legendary since they date to the earliest days of the colony of Carolina. The mixture and influence of African culture shines through in this most Charleston of cookies. The recipe is mentioned in Pat Conroy's works on more than one occasion. Likewise, the recipe for fudge can also be found referenced in his work "The Lords of Discipline."
To cook from Charleston Receipts is to connect with the best of Charleston: it's grace, it's style, it's hospitality, and it's fusion of African and English cultures.
Certainly, the book you want to have on your shelf if you are to assume the mantel of "Southern Cook."
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By Elisabeth
Charleston Receipts is a classic! I received my own copy as a wedding shower gift...my mom wrote notes next to all of her favorite recipes and those of her mother. Shrimp Paste is a Charleston classic. Breakfast shrimp - great with grits! The Chicken Tetrazzini freezes well. New Year's Day wouldn't be complete without Hopping John. In addition, the Gullah verses (and their translations) and the sketches, watercolors and prints of the Lowcountry are a treat to look at while your recipes are cooking.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By Stephanie
A truly great cookbook that is as much fun to read as it is to cook with. The way Southern cooking was done for so many generations. There isn't another cookbook available that has these fabulous recipes that have been handed down through family for so many generations. Don't hesitate to try the Breakfast Shrimp (better known today as Shrimp and Grits). You will love this book!!
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By JoJo
Amazon Verified Purchase
To be fair, the book IS from the southern coastal area and contains mostly seafood recipes, no casseroles, very limited vegetables, salads, and desserts. Many pages of party drinks. Very obviously written originally many decades ago with "older" recipes, even some ingredients unavaliable today.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Hugh J
Amazon Verified Purchase
The book is great, my wife has a very old copy and loves it.
These were purchased as gifts, and will be thoroughly enjoyed.
These were purchased as gifts, and will be thoroughly enjoyed.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
Broken binding
Binding was broken and it was a gift. Normally, when I've bought used books in the past, they are completely intact when rated this way. Read more
Published 9 days ago by Chambourcin
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Southern Cookbook
This was a gift for my brother, who saw my copy and loved the recipes for wild game. It is filled with recipes from Charlestown South Carolina's ladies and is for very traditional... Read more
Published 1 month ago by C. StClair
4.0 out of 5 stars
Charleston Receipts
Delightful book. Not only delightful Southern recipts but a treasure of deep South language. Fun to imagine the kitchens and personalitys of the names listed.
Published 1 month ago by Samoa G. Pepper
4.0 out of 5 stars
Junior League of Charleston Cookbook
This cookbook is a classic, with the first printing in 1950. This cookbook is a real treasure to have, and can't wait to try some of the recipes.
Published 3 months ago by Angela Hudak
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great for Research
I'm not much of a cook, but I write historical fiction. I bought Charleston Receipts because it has recipes from the region going back centuries. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Naima Anne Haviland
5.0 out of 5 stars
just right
I bought this as a gift and it was perfect. I really like the hard cover. I would recommend to others.
Published 5 months ago by TeamHaymond
5.0 out of 5 stars
charleston at its finest
great gift for the southern cook! perfect for a hostess gift.
Learn how to cook like a southern queen.
enjoy!
Learn how to cook like a southern queen.
enjoy!
Published 5 months ago by Michelle
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wow, Wow
Best recipes ever! You don't need to be a chef to cook these recipes, but they turn out like you were one. This the best Junioe League cook book I have seen. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Mary Frances Samec
5.0 out of 5 stars
A favorite for more than fifty years!
My grandmother got this cookbook for Christmas 1950 and after that copy spent some time with my mother, I inherited it and while it shows significant evidence of frequent use, it... Read more
Published 13 months ago by andiesenji
1.0 out of 5 stars
Charleston Receipts
I was diapppointed that it would be impossible to recreate the recipes today as they gave directions to "milk the cow", but never how much! They also had to you add "handfuls'. Read more
Published 16 months ago by diane
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store
If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store.
Learn more
