Category Archives: 18th Century Cooking

18th and Early 19th Century Cookbooks: Searchable, and FREE.

Posted on August 28, 2014 by Kevin Carter

We have a modest collection of cookbooks, both old and modern, as well as secondary resources related to the topic 18th century cooking here in my office. I appreciate being able to read other people’s interpretations of the old recipes, to see … Continue reading →

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Hard Dumplings a Soldiers Treat

Posted on August 4, 2014 by Jon Townsend

When cooking a modern recipe with a dozen ingredients in a well stocked kitchen with a stove, eight pans, twenty spoons of various sizes, dozens of mixing bowls and every other convenience, I can’t help but look back to poor … Continue reading →

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Stinging Nettle Soup

Posted on May 5, 2014 by Kevin Carter

I have many memories from my formative boyhood years of tromping through the woods, discovering nature, getting dirty, and hunting for anything with more than (or less than) two legs with which I could startle my poor dear mother. Occasionally, the call … Continue reading →

Posted in 18th Century Cooking, Baking, Bread, Historic Cooking, Ingredients, Recipe, Video | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

A Ragout of French Beans

Posted on April 24, 2014 by Kevin Carter

I find it serendipitous to stumble upon a familiar term in a centuries-old text — a term I use in my modern conversation, yet, one that has retained its meaning throughout the centuries. As a young boy, I would go out to the cornfields … Continue reading →

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Chocolate Biscuits

Posted on November 22, 2013 by Kevin Carter

Where would we be without chocolate? The thought runs shivers up my spine. In the scheme of culinary history, however, that creamy smooth chocolate that graces our palates with childhood delight and for just a moment melts away the adult … Continue reading →

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Please Bring Back the Puddings!

Posted on October 3, 2013 by Kevin Carter

I recently ran across online portions of an interesting book, edited by Harlan Walker, titled Disappearing Foods: Studies in Foods and Dishes at Risk (Prospect Books, 1995). The book includes an article written by Mary Wallace Kelsey called “The Pudding Club and … Continue reading →

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Preserved Walnuts

Posted on June 24, 2013 by Kevin Carter

In preparation for our upcoming wedding, my fiancée, Kelly, and I visited a wonderful cheese shop in Kalamazoo, Michigan this weekend, hoping to explore different cheese options for our reception. The tiny shop was packed with wide-eyed shoppers, and the busy … Continue reading →

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Ship’s Biscuit Recipes

Posted on June 12, 2013 by Kevin Carter

Many recipes in the 18th century use biscuits as an ingredient in other foods. Now I’m a biscuit fan. I’ll take mine hot with a dab of butter and a little honey. It just so happens that my bucket list … Continue reading →

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18th Century Pasties: Addendum

Posted on June 11, 2013 by Kevin Carter

Here’s an interesting passage from William Ellis’s 1750 book, “The Country Housewife’s Family Companion” (page 65). Ellis speaks of the virtuous timing of slaughtering a “porker” prior to harvest. The scrap pieces of meat could be used in making portable … Continue reading →

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18th Century Pasties, Part Two

Posted on June 10, 2013 by Kevin Carter

As I began my quest to understand the 18th century pasty, I figured the first thing I needed to do was to leave behind all of my modern notions of what they were. I needed to travel light, leaving plenty … Continue reading →

Posted in 18th Century Cooking, Baking, Historic Cooking, Ingredients, Pies, Recipe, Video | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments