The Whitehouse Cookbook (1887) / Cooking, Toilet and Household Recipes, Menus, Dinner-Giving, Table Etiquette, Care of the Sick, Health Suggestions, Facts Worth Knowing, Etc., Etc. / The Whole Comprising a Comprehensive Cyclopedia of Information for the Home

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

13923

Title

The Whitehouse Cookbook (1887) / Cooking, Toilet and Household Recipes, Menus, Dinner-Giving, Table Etiquette, Care of the Sick, Health Suggestions, Facts Worth Knowing, Etc., Etc. / The Whole Comprising a Comprehensive Cyclopedia of Information for the Home

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Dedicated to the wives of American presidents, this 1887 compendium by Mrs. F.L. Gillette and Hugo Ziemann offers a comprehensive guide to domestic life. Featuring recipes, menus, table etiquette, and health advice, it combines culinary instruction with the refined standards of White House hospitality.

Summary up to 500 words

Published in 1887, *The White House Cookbook* stands as a comprehensive cyclopedia of domestic information, authored by Mrs. F.L. Gillette and Hugo Ziemann. The volume is affectionately dedicated to the noble women who graced the White House, positioning itself as a superior representation of culinary art. The authors boast impressive credentials: Hugo Ziemann served as a caterer for Prince Napoleon, steward of the Hotel Splendide in Paris, and conductor of the Brunswick Café in New York, while Mrs. Gillette dedicated her life to the study of cookery and housekeeping. The book promises tested recipes and original features, including holiday menus and monthly seasonal guides. The text is organized into distinct sections covering a vast array of domestic topics. A significant portion is dedicated to the technical aspects of meat preparation, providing detailed classifications for beef, veal, mutton, pork, and venison. It explains how to select prime cuts, such as the sirloin for roasting or the loin for chops, and details the specific uses for various joints like the brisket for corned beef or the shoulder for stews. The book includes specific instructions for carving, emphasizing the use of silver or plated silver fish-trowels and proper knife care to maintain temper and sharpness. It advises on serving techniques, such as sending gravies hot and asking guests about stuffing preferences. Beyond meats, the cookbook covers vegetables, offering methods for boiling, frying, and stewing items like asparagus, beans, and potatoes. It provides numerous dessert recipes, including various puddings (lemon, chocolate, sago, tapioca), cakes, and confections. The text also addresses household management through articles on toilet recipes, health suggestions, and facts worth knowing. A unique feature is the inclusion of menus for special occasions and a dedicated section on the management of state dinners at the White House. The book aims to be accessible to housekeepers of all classes, utilizing a simplified method of explanation to enable even the inexperienced to comprehend complex manipulations. With its large type and durable binding, it was designed for practical use in the kitchen, reflecting the era's desire for a comprehensive cyclopedia of information for the home.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

Download URL

https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/13923.epub.noimages

Local file path

data/epubs/pg13923.epub

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Categories

• Cooking
• Health
• Table Etiquette