Cookery For Men Only
A great little book has come my way - many thanks Dave - you won’t find it in any Amazon list as it was printed in 1948.
Cookery for Men Only by Wilson Midgley certainly comes from a bygone age; remember it was published just after the war when rationing was still ubiquitous in the UK. There are references to cooking whale meat and lots of mentions of powdered egg (not that you would want to but can you still get powdered egg?). But what I so love about it is its sexist and totally un-PC tone.
I am only a little way through but this gem jumps out on Poaching Eggs - “Poaching is simple, but a method for women and invalids”; not too sure why though! I swear there was also a reference to women being poor at whisking, although I can’t find the passage now. I’ll read through again and pick out some more choice quotes and recipes. There is a big chapter on tripe that might be worth exploring - just don’t expect me to actually try them out!
One thing I haven’t worked out is the abbreviation on the cover. The book is correctly titled ‘Cookery For Men Only or IYGTTLAF’. Any ideas?
If You’ve Got the torch/time/tinder/ light a fire?
Just guessing , and Google’s no help as you no doubt know.
I love old cookery books too - both for their un-PCness and the occasional forgotten gem of a recipe. Anyone know of any sites on the subject?
Ian