The personality of a cookbook is as apparent as it is important. It is composed of known and stable ingredients with unknown and elusive ones to make a mixture as familar, friendly and exhilarating as a pine woods early on a summer morn.  Ruth Berolzheimer

{HISTORY}

Ruth Berolzheimer wasn't joking around when she attached her name to this Culinary Arts Institute Encyclopedic Cookbook. Published in 1948 and containing over 960 pages, this cookbook discusses practically everything under the sun in relation to food preparation. From traditional cookbook regulars - recipes, meat charts, menus etc to creative inspiration (125 Ideas for School Lunches and Picnics, 50 Menus and Recipes for Women in A Hurry, Month by Month Party Themes Throughout The Year, Advice and Recommendations on Table Setting Both Formal and Informal, etc) this one book covers so many topics, it is difficult not to be impressed by its sheer volume. The vegetable section alone has over 600 recipes! 

What is truly fascinating about this cookbook in particular is the wealth of tips and hints and technique advice that are provided to assist home cooks in making each meal thoughtful and attractive and interesting. The year that this book was published was an exciting time in house history because pre-fab homes were being introduced into the marketplace, enabling more people to buy affordable houses. With the proud feeling of owning your own home came the proud feeling of reigning over your kitchen with joy and excitement. At the very beginning of this cookbook Ruth touches on that very notion when she refers to the elusive charm of cooking and the importance of having " a light touch - a sense of humor - a flair for the clever idea in cooking and serving that results in something called style - a feeling for the kind of beauty that women want around them in their workaday world." That's what this big book aimed for in all its 1940's glory - home cooks who wanted to put their best foot forward in terms of kitchen knowledge, food presentation and skill. Originally published in 1940, this is the 1948 edition.

{SPECIAL FEATURES}

- 966 pages not including detailed index

- Contains a bevy of charts and step by step lessons throughout each chapter

 - Photographs and illustrations throughout in both black and white and color add so much visual charm and appeal

- Thumb tabs for easy navigation

{CONDITION}

In fantastic vintage condition. Bright, clean cover boards and pages. Tight spine. All pages intact. 

{SIZE}

Measures 6.5" inches (width) x 9" inches (length) x 2.5"inches (thick)

{WHY IT IS ESPECIALLY MARVELOUS}

For its sheer variety of recipes from the unusual Quahog Chowder, Polish Sour Milk Soup, Harlequin Eggs, Butter Semmeln, Swedish Hardtack, Apricot Rice, Salisfy etc to the familiar, old fashioned heirloom recipes, especially in the baking sections, that have been passed down for generations.