Plantation Cookery of Old Louisiana, 1938, Stated First Edition, First Printing

Description

Plantation Cookery of Old Louisiana, 1938, Stated First Edition, First Printing:  Cookbook written by Eleanore Ott of Fair Oaks Plantation, Mt. Hermon, La., and published by Harmanson, Publisher, New Orleans, La., in 1938.  Paper cover with 96 pages.  This is a very difficult-to-find cookbook in nearly as-if-new condition.  There’s an inscription the first page, and a slight bit of rubbing on the corners of the spine cover.  Plus, some light stains on the back cover.  Other than that, pages are completely clean and clear.  Hinges are intact.  Binding is firm.

Plantation Cookery of Old Louisiana is a marvelous cookbook–and an unusual one.  The first chapter is a colorful, beautifully written, short history of the Louisiana pioneer women and their cooking.  The recipes in the book are also beautifully written, with many historical and entertaining asides, as well as very useful and detailed information.  For example, when baking, use eggs that are three days old, no older and no younger, and well as icy cold milk.  There’s a two-page discussion of molasses, its creation and use, and a tw0–page history of barbecued meat, including a reference to Scarlett O’Hara.    And much more!  A truly delightful and historically important cookbook.