In 1861 Mrs. Beeton, arguably the most influential food writer in England in the 19th century, said "In order that the duties of the Cook may be properly performed, and that he may be able to reproduce esteemed dishes with certainty, all terms of indecision should be banished from his art." In that one sentence, I learn how little Mrs. Beeton and I would have gotten along, as I believe that experimentation born out of indecision is at the root of many great food moments. Come on, how else could someone have discovered that the artichoke was edible if not for an indecisive cook who thought, "Well, maybe if I just keep pulling the leaves off, there's be something I can eat underneath." However, despite my disagreements with her style, she is a fascinating read, as she creates a vivid picture of cooking, home and food as it existed in her day. If you'd like to take a trip through the culinary past, go to this site, where you can read the full text of her book.
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