An unabridged reprint of Miss Acton's great book, first published in
1845 and added to by the author ten years later. This reprint is of the
expanded edition and includes all the splendid engravings of the
original. For those who do not know this work there is a treat in store,
not only because of the variety and elegance of the hundreds of recipes,
but also because of their simplicity. This was the first recipe book to
give a list of ingredients and a time for cooking each recipe (an
entirely original idea of Eliza Acton's). For those lucky enough to
possess a precious original edition, here is a copy that can be used in
the kitchen. Eliza Acton's receipts show English cookery at its very
best, before the over-elaboration of late Victorianism overtook it. She
was writing for small families, so quantities in the recipes hardly need
to be altered, and her insistence throughout on the very best and most
wholesome ingredients is in accord with our thinking today. She tested
all the dishes herself; on the rare occasions where they were not, she
says so and gives her sources. Her personality shows strongly all
through the book; she was precise, orderly, very observant and mistress
of an inestimable prose style, so she can be read for pleasure as well
as use. Very little is known about her life. Elizabeth Ray has done some
original research, fleshed out the somewhat shadowy profile we have had
of her up to now, and corrected some earlier misconceptions about her.
