When one season ends, there are joys to be found in the next one. Autumn is officially here which reminds us that Thanksgiving and Christmas will be arriving soon. With the holidays approaching, we often think of seasonal food.
Browsing in the McCarter Museum in the kitchen display, the old cookbooks caught my eye, one especially. It is the ‘White House Cookbook,’ printed in 1887. It originally belonged to Mrs. Pearl Freeman, grandmother of Norma Freeman Erner. This cookbook was dedicated “To The Wives of Our Presidents, Those Noble Women Who Have Graced The White House.” Interesting information is given for table etiquette, care of the sick, health suggestions and facts worth knowing! There are chapters dedicated just to carving domesticated and wild animals and fish as well as preparation for cooking.
The book has 603 pages of recipes. All recipes are written in paragraph form rather than listing ingredients and then the method of mixing. Considering the book is 132 years old it is in good condition.
Having modern cook ranges and refrigerators makes one wonder how the food was prepared so many years ago. The 1930’s cook stove and the refrigerator in the museum causes one to be appreciative for modern appliances.
Many local churches and organizations have published cookbooks as a fundraiser. I prize these books because of all the great recipes. It is also heartwarming to read the names of so many friends who have contributed recipes. In one of the cookbooks is an early day recipe for making Lye Soap and another for Hand Lotion and one for Play Dough, Finger Paint and one for Dog Biscuits.
Cooking is still an art, however, Fast Food, Frozen TV Dinners and other packaged foods are convenient. But nothing compares to mom’s or grandma’s home cooking!!
The husband of Mrs. Pearl Freeman was an early day pharmacist and owned the Freeman Store at the southeast corner of Main
Drug and Grand Avenue. The building burned down probably in the 1960’s. A new building was built on site and now houses MediClaims.
Pull for Tonkawa!
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