American Cookery: The Art of Dressing Viands, Fish, Poultry, and Vegetables
"American Cookery: The Art of Dressing Viands, Fish, Poultry, and Vegetables" by Amelia Simmons is a cookbook published in 1796. This groundbreaking work marks the first cookbook written by an American author, declaring culinary independence from British traditions. Simmons introduced distinctly American ingredients and dishes—Indian pudding, johnnycake, pumpkin pie, and turkey with cranberries—while pioneering the use of pearlash as a chemical leavener. Written by a self-described orphan with limited formal education, this influential cookbook adapted English cooking methods to American products and remained popular for decades.