October Thrifty Week #1 ~ #2 Vintage Cookbooks: Maryland's Way and Family Circle Meat

Maryland's Way - The Hammond-Harwood House Cookbook, published in 1966. This copy is the Bicentennial edition (the first edition  was published in 1963) and commemorates 200 years of Maryland's culinary history.  The receipts (old form word for recipe) were collected from Maryland families and many were passed down through the generations. Many of the dishes incorporate local ingredients including seafood and game.  There are a few receipts reprinted from an 1811 book including an Oyster Soup. Of course there is a recipe for Lady Baltimore Cake! And a dish involving roasted Peacock.

In addition to the recipes, there are photos - both old and new - of numerous homes, people and  scenes from around the state.  The book was a gift to the former owner from "Susan" and tucked between the pages was a report card dated 1978 for the former owners' son from an elementary school in DeKalb County, Georgia.

The Family Circle Meat Cookbook, published in 1954. Every type of meat is represented from beef, lamb, pork , sausage and variety including brains, kidneys, heart and tongue. The first chapter offers tips on buying and storing meat, plus herbs that enhance the flavor of various meats.

Every chapter opens with a diagram of the animal involved in the dishes, with an explanation of each type of cut and cooking suggestions. There are also chapters on sauces and accompaniments.

One of the recipes for using brains is adding it to scrambled eggs!

Page from Meat cookbook (look at the size of that Prime Rib!!):