Favorite Dishes : a Columbian Autograph Souvenir Cookery Book

by Carrie V. Shuman

"Favorite Dishes: a Columbian Autograph Souvenir Cookery Book" by Carrie V. Shuman is a collection of over three hundred recipes compiled in the late 19th century, specifically during the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago. The book serves as a culinary tribute to the contributions of women involved in the Exposition, offering a glimpse into popular cooking methods and ingredients from that era while also catering to a societal shift towards women's empowerment in financial and domestic realms. The opening of "Favorite Dishes" presents its purpose through a formal introduction that highlights the collaboration of women from various states, who contributed beloved recipes as a means to raise funds for attending the Exposition. This section features advice on making tea, chocolate, cocoa, coffee, and various types of bread. It discusses preparation techniques in detail, illustrating the importance of freshly made beverages and well-prepared bread. The recipes reflect an emphasis on simplicity, accessibility, and homeliness that resonates with the cultural and culinary practices of the time.