Log Cabin Cooking: Pioneer Recipes & Food Lore

by Barbara Swell

Peppered with authentic 19th century photographs, Log Cabin Cooking is smothered with old-time recipes, kitchen proverbs, even a pinch of proper pioneer etiquette! Make-do recipes include Leather Britches, Ash Cake and Portable Soup, using the ingredients available to settlers 150 years ago! Other goodies: hand-dipped candle making, soup warnings, molasses taffy, faux foods, zucchini clarinet and ginger beer!

Genres: Cookbooks, History, Cooking, Food, Nonfiction, Historical

64 pages, Paperback

First published January 15, 2001

Reviews

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very entertaining and informative book to read. Some of the recipes included I had seen before, but more were new to me. I particularly like the various rhymes and sayings written throughout regarding food, the chores of planting, growing, cooking and baking the food, etc.

[True North Restoration · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was a very good read, it helped me understand the benefits of log home renovations, so I wrote my own piece on it : https://truenorthrestoration.ca/blog/...

[Jessika Hoover · Rating 2 out of 5]

A basic overview of common foods and recipes during the pioneer days. It was interesting, but nothing earth-shattering. I did learn a few things. There were a couple of recipes that I thought sounded good, but I'm not sure if I'd ever try them. I thought it was more interesting for the insight into history rather than the recipes.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This short book contains Colonial and westward migration (USA) recipes from the days when nothing was readily available except game and homegrown produce. When pioneering families settled somewhere, they tried to do so within a couple of days' ride to and from a store or outpost so that they could at least get some sort of coffee beans and other "nice-to-have" provisions (such as sugar). Supplies were used sparingly and "stretched" because of their general unavailability. Many of these recipes feed "a cast of many" because of being produced for ranchhands or large families. I copied down some for fun--such as "Johnnycakes" and "Fairy Cookies"--which I plan to try soon. There was also a fruit cobbler which sounded quite yummy and was easy to make!

There were quite a few nice stories about, quotations from--and even some photos of--pioneering and wilderness/prairie living. I rec'd this book from my friend Donna, who is also a member of Goodreads and The Folded Corner group. Thanks, Donna!

[Priscilla · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quirky and fun. Vinegar pie, anyone?

[WitchHaven Apothecary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great little book to have in the kitchen. Lots of easy recipes and lore from yesteryear.

[Brad Theado · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great ideas for simple cooking.