The Virginia Housewife or Methodical Cook By Randolph, Mrs. Mary

Mary Randolph’s The Virginia Housewife, was one of the most important and influential housekeeping and cook books of the 19th century; Mrs. Randolph (who married her first cousin once removed and became Mary Randolph Randolph) was a member of prominent Virginia family, related to both Thomas Jefferson and George Washington. The book was originally published in 1824. This 1858 edition with a Philadelphia imprint, is rather scarce It has been rebound, with marbleized boards and a black leather spine with gilt lettering. the interior is VG with minor foxing.;It should be noted that Mrs. Randolph would have have African-American cooks and was influenced by their cooking styles .The book included recipes for Southern classics such as okra, sweet potatoes, biscuits, fried chicken, barbecue shote (young pig), and lemonade. European influenced recipes included gazpacho and six curry recipes. These were the first curry recipes published in the United States and suggest curry was already a popular seasoning in the region. Specialties from other parts of the US included a recipe entitled “Dough Nuts – A Yankee Cake. The Virginia House-Wife;also included the first ice cream recipe published by an American author.; Small 8vo 7½” – 8″ tall; 180 + 12pp ads pages