"JocastaInnes" news and stories

First published in 1971, The Pauper's Cookbook continues to be relevant today, especially in these times when we're all trying to make our food dollar stretch to cover increasing food costs (I went to a local bakery yesterday to buy some sandwich bread, and nearly had a heart attack. They were selling half loaves of my bread for $4.95. In the past, I would be able to get a full loaf of that bread for $3.75).

Written by Jocasta Innes, this book came to be when she couldn't find the cookbook she wanted in her local bookstores. She says, "It stood to reason that there must be a good few other people in my situation, trying to conjure good food from limited cash, battered old pots and pans and kitchens more nightmarish than dream. What a blessing for us all such a book would be, I thought, and waited for some highly qualified expert to leap in and write it." When no expert stepped up, she traveled into the void herself, creating a highly readable and deeply useful cookbook.

The book is written in a narrative style, without the traditional recipe formatting that we are all used to. However, instead of being frustrating, it makes for an entertaining read and easy experience, almost like having a friend or relative talk you through the steps of the dish.

The recipes are divided into sections entitled, Standards (which include soups, sauces, cheap veggie dishes, some eggs and classic British comfort foods), Padding (lots of rice, barley, oats and beans), Fast Work (just as it says, a section devoted to getting a meal on the table quickly), Programmed Eating (menu suggestions), Fancy Work (dishes that will impress), Dieting on a Budget (keeping your calories and budget low) and Private Enterprise (jams, jellies, marmalades and quick breads).

It's a fun little book, especially if you are someone living in the US who has a weakness for British cookery writing.

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