I’ve really enjoyed looking through the 1901 edition of The A1 Cookery Book over the last few days. Written by Helen N. Lawson, it was intended for inexperienced cooks. The recipes are set out in what for that time was quite an old-fashioned way with the instructions given and no separate list of ingredients. However, it’s very interesting, and the recipes, once put into the present day convention look straightforward and quite inviting – well, allowing for the difference in tastes between then and now!
As was often the case in books of that era, at the back are helpful hints for the housewife, but as the chapter is titled ‘odds and ends’ there are all sorts of things which one might expect to be among the recipes – fennel sauce, cherry jam, pease pudding – as well as instructions on how to clean things (brass trays, mirrors, water bottles) and of course, the old nineteenth century cookery book favourite, food for invalids (fish, meat jelly, minced meat) There are also instructions on how to make things such as paste for sticking, pot pourri, how to lard poultry or meat and alcoholic ‘cups’ champagne cup, claret cup and cider cup.
There are instructions, ”to make coffee’, ‘to bottle fruit or vegetables’recipes which don’t seem to fit anywhere else… such as this:
Toast and water
- a slice of stale bread
- boiling water
- optional lemon rind
- toast slowly and thoroughly a slice of stale bread till it is light brown all over but not burnt
- pour over some boiling water and let it stand covered till cold
- if liked it maybe flavoured with lemon rind but it is generally made plain
This recipe has me stumped – why do you need a recipe to make soggy toast, and why would you want to? It’s not marked as invalid cooking so maybe it’s just a light snack? Not for me thanks! My featured image is far more interesting – toast, butter and marmalade!
Lois Elsden 
Dear Lois,
thanks for writing about the old cookery books. We find it interesting how our cooking and eating has changed.
Wishing you a relaxed pre-Christmas time
The Fab Four of Cley
🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
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Thank you very much! I hope you have a lovely lead-up to Christmas! Does it start for you traditionally on Christmas Eve? xxx
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Yes, dear Lois, the important day is the 24th for us. There you have a big meal, exchange the presents and sing the Christmas songs. We follow this tradition here as well.
Have a happy Christmas time
The Fab Four of Cley
🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
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I shall be thinking of you all on the 24th and sending festive telepathic greetings to you!! Have a wonderful day and enjoy your Christmas songs xxxx
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🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
Thank you. We love such Christmas greetings.
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I vote for your version Lois!
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Haha, thank you Dorothy!!
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