Modern Cookery For Private Families
Feb 2024 · Otbebookpublishing
Ebook
810
Pages
family_home
Eligible
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About this ebook
Excerpt: "It cannot be denied that an improved system of practical domestic cookery, and a better knowledge of its first principles, are still much needed in this country; where, from ignorance, or from mismanagement in their preparation, the daily waste of excellent provisions almost exceeds belief. This waste is in itself a very serious evil where so large a portion of the community often procure—as they do in England—with painful difficulty, and with the heaviest labour, even sufficient bread to sustain existence; but the amount of positive disease which is caused amongst us by improper food, or by food rendered unwholesome by a bad mode of cooking it, seems a greater evil still. The influence of diet upon health is indeed a subject of far deeper importance than it would usually appear to be considered, if we may judge by the profound indifference with which it is commonly treated. It has occupied, it is true, the earnest attention of many eminent men of science, several of whom have recently investigated it with the most patient and laborious research, the results of which they have made known to the world in their writings, accompanied, in some instances, by information of the highest value as to the most profitable and nutritious modes of preparing various kinds of viands."
About the author
Eliza Acton (1799-1859) was a pioneering English cook and poet whose influence on culinary writing remains significant today. Born in Battle, Sussex, Acton initially pursued a career in poetry, publishing a collection of verse in 1826. However, it was her meticulous approach to cookery that cemented her legacy. Acton is often credited with transforming the way recipes were written, introducing the now-standard practice of listing ingredients separately from the method, thus making cooking more accessible and systematic.Acton's work was revolutionary for its time, emphasizing the importance of precise measurements and clear instructions, which contrasted sharply with the vague and often chaotic recipes of her predecessors. Her insistence on accuracy and clarity not only democratized cooking but also laid the groundwork for modern culinary literature.Despite her significant contributions, Acton's life was not without controversy. She was known to have had a strained relationship with her publisher, who initially doubted the commercial viability of her work. Moreover, her recipes were sometimes criticized for being too elaborate for the average household, reflecting her own refined tastes and the influence of French cuisine.Acton's influence extended to contemporary writers, most notably Isabella Beeton, who borrowed heavily from Acton's methods and recipes. Although Beeton's works would eventually overshadow Acton's in popularity, culinary historians and modern chefs alike continue to recognize Eliza Acton as a foundational figure in the evolution of cookery writing. Her legacy endures in the precision and clarity that define today's culinary instructions, making her a timeless icon in the world of gastronomy.
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