Victorian Fare: Yorkshire Pudding

Victorian Fare: Yorkshire Pudding

Today, October 13th, is National Yorkshire Pudding Day! The side dish comes to America’s melting pot from England, well before the Victorian era. I’ll share recipes from the 19th century American newspapers as well as my husband’s family’s modern recipe. Yum!

Victorian Cheesecake?

Victorian Cheesecake?

Today, July 30th, is National Cheesecake Day. Yummy!

Did cheesecake exist in Victorian times? Earlier? When was it invented? The timeline of this rich dessert might surprise you! Come see vintage recipes from Victorian-era American newspapers and cookbooks, variations on the theme of cheesecake, and learn how “new” ingredients (such as Philadelphia Cream Cheese) came about… A calorie-free way to celebrate National Cheesecake Day!

A Victorian Menu for New Year’s Day, 1892

A Victorian Menu for New Year’s Day, 1892

This menu was posted in 1892 in a Pittsburgh, PA newspaper, but not the instructions– which those of us who are amused by history and cooking and the way things once were may well find fascinating. So this article is all about that menu… and how the home cook may have accomplished such a daunting task to celebrate the FIRST big holiday of the year.

Old Time Recipe: Shortbread

Old Time Recipe: Shortbread

Historic recipes are a valuable link to our immigrant ancestors (whether the actual recipe is a family heirloom or not). This recipe for shortbread and Pebber Nodder (Danish Butter Cookies) put me in mind of my great grandmother. I include the Top 5 Reasons why I care about old fashioned cookie recipes.

An honest-to-goodness Pioneer Recipe

An honest-to-goodness Pioneer Recipe

My great grandma was born in 1896 in the heart of the American West. While this chicken and dumplings recipe is attributed to her, family lore insists she made this honest-to-goodness pioneer dish the way her mother did, so this recipe is an oldie and a goodie.