Looking for an old cookbook, older than most of us

Discussion in 'Recipes and Cooking' started by Jerry Sullivan, Jul 20, 2019.

  1. Jerry Sullivan

    Jerry Sullivan Garden Experimenter Plants Contributor

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    I am looking for an early edition of Irma Rombauer’s cookbook The Joy of Cooking. Specifically, one of the 1931, 1936 or the 1941 editions. This would be to verify a haunting childhood memory of a old family cookbook that would often appear on Sundays as the dinner was being prepared. Protected by a yellow cover the title was hidden from curious eyes. I often found myself banished from the kitchen as the cook preferred few in their way while the meal was being prepared. The book, used in the late 40’s and early 50’s was ‘the big cookbook’, it was thick and decorated with assorted flavored spots….. of hmmmm…. ingredients. Over time and 8 moves the book ‘disappeared’, to be replaced with newer books decorated with their own spots. What I do remember about the book is that it recommended the correct color of the coals in the oven to attain the proper temperature for baking. It was the only thing that caught my eye that was not mixed in with the many pages of recipes. If the older editions contain such a reference then I have found the 'lost' book. My version of the book, the newest one, of course contains no such reference. The newest version does contain many of the older version recipes, so if I am correct I may be able to find some childhood recipes. In the meantime my fingers prod through the over 4000 recipes, searching, searching, searching.

    Jerry
     
    Last edited: Jul 20, 2019
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  3. Jewell

    Jewell Incorrigible Gardener Plants Contributor

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    I have my mom’s, Ed. 1943. Saw one at the local antique mall recently in much better shape than mine. EBay often has them, so keep on eye out there, maybe Etsy also. Great recipes for just about everything.
     
  4. Cayuga Morning

    Cayuga Morning Strong Ash Plants Contributor

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    Jerry, I'll check my Joy when I get home. I inherited from my parents who used it all the time. They wore out the cover & my dad recovered it in leather. The stains don't show so much! I also have their newer version of the Joy, but my dad couldn't stand it. Too much About This or That for his tastes.
     
  5. Palustris

    Palustris Young Pine

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  6. Jerry Sullivan

    Jerry Sullivan Garden Experimenter Plants Contributor

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    Thank you Palustris, The 1936 edition is in the correct timeframe. I'm not sure I want to spend $50 to answer a question. In my initial search for the one I have, if I had seen that one I probably would have bought that one. I might try a couple of used book stores as they allow browsing :).
    I have found one recipe in my present edition, still not a smoking gun yet.

    Thanks again for your efforts,
    Jerry
     
  7. toni

    toni Mistress of Garden Junque Staff Member Moderator Plants Contributor

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