Metropolitan Cookbook
I’m sure you all have a shelf, many shelves, entire rooms of cookbooks. Isn’t it funny how we can never really say: “Okay, I have enough cookbooks. I don’t need to look at another one again.”
Of course, we can’t say that. Our cooking-brains, food-fingers, food-appetites, food-curiosity kicks in and there is always another cookbook that jumps into our arms.
I also like the practice of raiding the library shelf to see if there are cookbooks I’d like to own. First borrow them. Then decide. Or steal that one recipe that grabs my attention, bring back the book, and then I’m done. With no money spent.
Still…I have to admit. Owning is better. Full colorful shelves are better. Having these friends to hang around with at home indefinitely (with no due dates to return) is better.
So today I’d like to share with you some of my most obscure favorites. To start, these books I never cook from. I just LOVE the books. They’re old and years ago I found them in dusty baskets in used book stores at the foot of giant shelves piled with cookbooks. But these are soft-covered, perfect-bound, and more like thick pamphlets. I discovered that some books were published as a series. Here’s one from a series…
French Cookbook
The illustration alone is totally enchanting! When I found the first one in this series I was ever-after on the lookout for more of the same. I now have 6 of them: French, Italian, Scandinavian, Creole, New England, and Hungarian. Inside are brief classic recipes I’ve yet to try. I get so caught up just LOOKING at the books. They were published between 1954 and 1956 by the Culinary Arts Institute in Chicago.
Another couple of favs were put out by the Ford Motor company in 1954 and 1956: The Ford Treasury of Favorite Recipes from Favorite Eating Places (2 volumes). Each book is a collection of favorite recipes from restaurants all over the USA. (They only measure 5.5 inches by 7.) With each restaurant they include a wonderful illustration. A different style for each entry. The books are divided by parts of the country: Northeast, Southeast, Northwest, etc. It’s fun to find out if these restaurants still exist. I imagine it was Ford Motor Company’s way to get people on the road!
Ford Treasury of Famous Recipes from Famous Eating Places
Nelson House & The Bird and Bottle Inn
Second Ford Treasury of Favorite Recipes from Favorite Restaurants
Gruber’s and The Keys
I usually don’t haunt old book stores the way I used to. It was an obsession at one point in time. But now that my shelves are stacked with these wonders. I can sit back and dive into any of these jewels and be entertained for an entire afternoon. Recipes are long-lasting. And just reading them is pure pleasure. Maybe it’s time to pick out a few to try. When I do, I’ll let you know about the standouts. Stay tuned!
Hungarian Cookbook
Scandinavian Cookbook
New England Cookbook
Creole Cookbook
Italian Cookbook
Chef Paulette 
The first three are very small books , 4,5,6 are about 5×7 in size and the last one is 8x-11 .. My daughter lives in Bellevue and I have been wanting to take one of your classes . Perhaps this fall I can make that happen . If I work it out I will bring my set for you to see … I found most of them in flea markets ( only a foodie would search and search ! ) will look forward to meeting you and sharing ideas ! I am retired educator , and am currently offering a Foodie Class in our little village of Saltillo , Tn .. But spent 24 years in Franklin … Food has always been a passion as I am sure it is for you ! Love it when you are on channel 4 !
that’s wonderful… I’d love to see them. I’ll make sure you’re on my email list for class announcements…classes tend to sell out quickly (FYI)…hope to meet you soon! Thanks so much! (What do you teach in the Foodie Class?)
We explore different themes , try new recipes , share ideas for entertaining , and new foods to try … I usually prepare some of the food on site and some at home . We use a local shop called Lillis by the river in Saltillo tn for our meetings . I often refer to us as desperate housewives needing a night out ! But we have lots of fun 🎈
very cool!
Loved this post ! I too have the Ford times collection .. They published 7 in all and I have been able to locate all 7 over a period of years . I like you just love cookbooks , and while I do cook from them , some I just have to own ! Thanks for validating my love of books ….
Janice, that is so cool! I didn’t realize there were 7 of them. I just love the design and the varied illustrations. So so lovely. Yay! I’m so happy to hear from a kindred spirit on this…thanks!