The Little House Cookbook: Frontier Foods from Laura Ingalls Wilder's Classic Stories (packaged with gingerbread man cookie cutter) [Paperback]

Barbara M. Walker (Author), Garth Williams (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: 1991

Laura Ingalls Wilder grew up on the prairie, where food was something one worked for, cooking was a big part of daily life, and mealtime was a chance to gather with family and give thanks. By watching Pa hunt and farm and by helping Ma prepare the food, Laura learned the pleasures that come from a family working together. Laura also experienced the joy that comes from sharing food, made with love and care, with family and friends.

Here are over 100 unique recipes celebrating the foods and cooking techniques of Laura's pioneer childhood. Taken from dishes described in the beloved Little House books, these recipes were carefully researched by Barbara M. Walker and tested in her own kitchen. From pancake men and pumpkin pie to vanity cakes and ice cream, these recipes give adults and children alike the chance to experience a taste of Laura's childhood, reminding us of the connection between the food on the table and the work involved in getting it there.

Notable Children’s Books of 1979 (ALA)
Best Books of 1979 (SLJ)
Notable 1979 Children's Trade Books in Social Studies (NCSS/CBC)
Children's Books of 1979 (Library of Congress)
1980 Western Heritage Award

--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Over 100 authentic recipes of pioneer food from the pages of Laura Ingalls Wilder's series are included in this book. All ages.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Review

"A true labor of love and careful study." -- Kirkus Reviews

"Surprising and delightful ... Each recipe is prefaced by a short and superbly well-researched essay on that particular dish's origins, development and characteristics." -- The New York Times --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Scholastic Inc; 1ST edition (1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0590453718
• ISBN-13: 978-0590453714
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 7 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (50 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,098,613 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

106 of 107 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Condensed Recipes Right from the Series, July 18, 2001

By 

Michelle Johnson "Domestic Zen" (Denver, Colorado) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Little House Cookbook: Frontier Foods from Laura Ingalls Wilder's Classic Stories (Paperback)

As a childhood Laura Ingalls Wilder fan, I treasured every Little House book and delighted in the pioneer way of life. Now as a mother, I'm thrilled to find this book which contains excerpts from the series itself along with easy to use recipes.

Did you ever wonder as you read The Long Cold Winter how Ma made food that sustained them when they nearly starved to death? You'll find it in the Foods From The Barnyard chapter, not that too many of us will eat oxtail pot roast, but here it is.

In Staples From The Country Store you can learn to make Cornmeal Mush, Bean Porridge (along with the famous rhyme) and Corn Dodgers just as Ma did On the Banks of Plum Creek.

Are you wondering what to do with your bountiful garden of fruits and veggies? Turn to chapter 6, Foods from Gardens and Orchards. A wonderous story on Ingalls farming times and selection of recipes like Potato Cakes, Creamed Carrots, Fried Parsnips and Succotash. I was always curious about Ma's Green Tomato Pickles, now I can make them!

Any fan of Little House would delight in adding this to their collection. An excellent historical and whimsical book.

59 of 60 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars FABULOUS!!!!, January 10, 2003

By 

Kelly "kelly" (United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Little House Cookbook: Frontier Foods from Laura Ingalls Wilder's Classic Stories (Paperback)

I've been a Laura Ingalls Wilder fan for practically my whole life and am now delighted to be reading the whole series aloud to my young daughter who loves the books as much as I. My friend told me about this cookbook and we purchased it - it is WONDERFUL!

I read the whole thing cover to cover - it is just fascinating. The author writes in a very readable, extremely interesting style. I love having all the recipes for the meals mentioned throughout the Little House books and I *love* reading the history included in this cookbook. It adds such depth and perspective to our readings of the LIW books. [This book is as much a history text as it is a cookbook - and it does great justice to both genres!]

My daughter and I have made several of the recipes from the book so far and they have all been delicious, if not exactly health conscious. :) I haven't been able to bring myself to buy Lard, but we have delighted in making some of the same foods Laura ate. My daughter is learning a HUGE amount about history through these experiences.

Buying this book is the best money I've spent in years!

47 of 48 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The recipes and stories warm the soul!, July 11, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Little House Cookbook: Frontier Foods from Laura Ingalls Wilder's Classic Stories (Paperback)

You can dip randomly into this book, and any page you land on will take you back to a simpler time. It is far from just a cookbook, it's about a way of life that was a hard existence, but one that many of us dream of. Whether you are already a "Little House" fan, or are new to the series, this book can be enjoyed by all "wanna-be 1800's pioneer women." Every time I start spending time with this book my family gets bombarded with home-made, "stick to your ribs" meals. Fast food becomes a nasty word during these times, and my home cooking reigns supreme! Be warned ~ you will always be hungry after reading this book! It is full of excerpts from different "Little House" books, and Laura Ingalls Wilder had a way of describing food that could make the best of us break down and drool! This book has become a dear keepsake to me. Cooking along with the recipes warms my kitchen, but most of all, this book warms my soul!