My collection of cookbooks was huge. I've given so many away but still have shelves full of books that I really don't want to part with but don't have room for in Florida.
Here's an interesting article from The Survival Mom on why you should buy old cookbooks.
I like number 3- real ingredients for healthier eating.
I have been the very lucky recipient of some of your treasured cookbooks that have now become treasures to me. You know my absolute PASSION for cookbook collecting. I'm addicted, I won't lie. When I go to yard sales, flea markets, rummage sales, thrift shops, book sales...what's the first thing I go looking for? Cookbooks. I LOVE THEM. I read them like most people read novels. They are my books of choice,
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with a lot of the things Sarah said. I don't use a microwave to cook much in--just corn on the cob on occasion. Sure, I reheat things in it but I also reheat stuff on the stove.
I've been finding myself walking away from "convenience" ingredients....like canned soups, Bisquick and such. I'd rather make my own and know what's in them PLUS control the salt and sugar levels. I like being able to pronounce the ingredients I use and stay away from preservatives. Sure, I'll still buy cake mixes here and there because they ARE convenient and I do like grabbing a can of already cooked beans, rinsing and draining them in the sink for recipes-they do make life easy. BUT it's nice to know how to make these things from scratch too and old cookbooks tell you just that.
I'm with you Linda-real ingredients make for eating healthier-that's a good thing for me!
OK I will admit I DO love my kitchen gadgets like my mixer and food processor. They do make cooking easier, but...I still do a lot of the work by hand...like grating cheese on a box grater and kneading homemade bread. Nice to have a choice.
Some of those old cookbooks have....shall we say...unique?....recipes in them that I doubt I'd be attempting. It goes to show people used EVERYTHING on hand to make meals for their family. Spiced tongue? Think I'll pass....
The comments I agree with 100% are the COST of these old cookbooks vs. the cost of new ones. You can get SO much for SO little buying old cookbooks. Just last week I came out of a library book sale with a grocery bag FULL of treasures for 10.00......and that bag is STUFFED. There must be 15-20 books in it. That's not even close to what 1 new cookbook costs these days. And you can't put a price on memories. I see stained pages and I think boy I'd better pay attention to the recipes on these pages because someone REALLY enjoyed them. Memories are priceless.
What a great blog post and interesting comments after too.
Linda, you know how much I LOVE talking about cookbooks, old and new....I'll shut my motormouth now! :)
I know my cookbooks have a good home!
DeleteNo No Carol......you keep on talking....what you said is 100 % agreeable. I do looking at old cookbooks also, but I had to give up lots of mine when I moved. I loved the ones with the recipes with notations written on the pages. Brought back memories of people who are no longer with us. Some of the "Old" recipes are so good. I don't do much cooking anymore, but I have come to use more of wholesome ingredients lately when I do cook. My new favorite is barley and farro. Wow, never realized how good they are with just a bit of grated cheese on top. Thanks Linda and Carol, for a great post.
ReplyDeleteWith the web cookbooks seems old - like me. Every single cookbook was special to me and so happy that some of them found good homes.
DeleteI love cookbooks too even if I am not the greatest cook in the world! :-) This gave me an idea. Tomorrow we are going to our granddaughter's for dinner, the first time she has cooked for us. I should go through my cookbooks and take her some. Sure, she is very techy & can check Pinterest, etc but as you mentioned, no power no Pinterest. Brianne is interested in cooking & she is very fortunate that her boyfriend's Mom is a fantastic cook & willing to show her how to cook, can and garden. This summer has been a great learning experience. Now, to get her some cookbooks out of my collection! Thanks for the idea.
ReplyDeleteYou know what Angela- Brianne will treasure your cookbooks and hopefully will pass them on to others who love to cook
DeleteI wish I had gotten all of my Mom's old cookbooks but my sister took them before Mom Passed..She had some wonderful oldies..
ReplyDeleteDottie I still have quite a few. If you want some let me know ok?
DeleteI have a Fanny Farmer cookbook that was given to me by my mother in law. I confess I haven't had time to look at it because I've been too busy. I did inherit some of my mom's cookbooks and some of them we used all the time when we all lived under the same roof many moons ago. I have too many and need to go thru them all and give away some of the one's I won't use. I'm keeping mom's books and the specialty books too. Great post!
ReplyDeleteNumber 3 got my attention as well. I have easy to prepare stuff but only in case of emergency and usually end up tossing it out after it expires. we like real food here too and that's why I cook almost every night. So much better for you
DeleteI am amazed when I go to the grocery store and see all the processed foods in carts! How hard is it to cook? I know time is important but so is your body.
DeleteI know you love cookbooks as much as I do and knew you would like this post.