A good cookbook will come to your rescue every time... Meta Given

{HISTORY}

Following on the heels of her first bestseller, The Modern Family Cook Book, published in 1942, Meta Given then embarked on the ultimate compendium of cooking and writing adventures - The Modern Encyclopedia of Cooking. Encompassing a colossal 1500 pages, 50+ chapters and two separately published volumes, Meta wrote about everything you would ever need to know regarding cooking.  From recipes to equipment, shopping to nutrition, table service to food presentation, it's all recorded here in her big books of big information. 

First published in 1947, this is the 1957 edition, revised and enlarged to ensure the most up-to-date-information for home cooks. As a nutritionist, her focus in writing these books was to teach people how to get the most value out of food both financially and nutritionally. She encouraged readers to approach cooking, food gathering and caring for family with pride, appreciation and confidence and not to take anything for granted in the way of modern cooking whether that be in regards to techniques, appliances or health.    

It is fascinating to read through this cookbook now because Meta really did include so much information. Her wild game chapter includes recipes for squirrel, woodchuck, raccoon, elk, antelope. Her salad chapter includes fresh salads, frozen salads, molded salads, salad art, hot salads, cold salads, big bowl salads. You get the idea! There is no stone left unturned.

This is a two-volume set. Volume One contains topics A-F (Appetizers to Fish) plus a homemaker's handbook that includes a buying guide, weights and measures, kitchen duties and suggested menus. Volume Two covers F-Z (Foreign Foods to Vegetables) plus a very detailed index.

{SPECIAL FEATURES}

- Two volume set

- Contains both color and black and white photographs throughout as well as a bevy of charts, graphs, glossaries and illustrated instructions

- 53 chapters, 1502 pages

{CONDITION}

Every Meta Given's cookbook we have ever encountered here n the Vintage Kitchen has been in well-loved condition, which is a great indicator of its value within the family. Because these are prized cookbooks and generally get passed down from generation to generation, most all of them bear signs of use. The interior of these two are in great shape with very clean and bright pages. The exterior cover boards (at the spine creases) bear the most wear and tear. The spine and cover board on Volume I is intact but loose and shows through to the fabric binding on the first few pages. Everything is intact as far as the spine and pages. Just a bit loose at the beginning of the book. The spine cover is loose on Volume II. The spine binding itself on Volume II is tight and intact just the cover is loose on one side. Please see photos. 

{SIZE}

Each book measures 5.5" inches (width) x 8.5" inches (length) x 2" inches (depth). 

{WHY IT IS ESPECIALLY MARVELOUS}

In addition to housing a treasure trove of thousands of recipes, Meta Given's Modern Encyclopedia of Cooking, is also a fascinating look at what people were interested in cooking in the mid-20th century. From fine dining to provincial country food, Meta's cookbook was appropriate for all Americans regardless of socioeconomic levels. They also showcases the vast possibility and variety within the American food landscape of the 1940's and 1950's.