Manuscript Recipe Book | A volume containing 331 numbered culinary, medical, and household recipes, early 18th century

Manuscript recipe book

A collection of 331 culinary, medical and household recipes, written in two hands, many noting their source (such as "The Duchess of Kents Water" (p.6), "Snail Water made by Mrs Richmond at Pinner Augst. 1714" (p.18) and a group of "Mr Edward Kidders Receipts for Pastery and Cookery"), in red and black ink, early 18th century, 108 numbered pages, plus blanks, oblong 4to (180 x 240mm), contemporary calf gilt, rebacked, covers worn, pagination and numbering in faded red ink

"Cheescakes.

A Qt. of cream boyl'd & thicken'd with naple biskets w[he]n it is boyled beat fine the outward rinds of 2 oranges 3 oz. of Almond paste th[e]n add the cream paste with half a pound of butter a little mace slic'd[.] beat these well together with 6 eggs & sugar to the tast, bake it in puff Paste" (p.34)

A UNIQUE AND VARIED COLLECTION OF DOMESTIC RECIPES. A substantial group of recipes found in this collection derive from the cookery teacher and writer Edward Kidder (1666–1739). His Receipts of Pastry and Cookery was published in 1720, but his recipes also circulated in manuscript form. Several of the medicinal cures are noted as having been tested in the 1710s and the initials "MR" are written alongside a number of recipes in the first section (to p.21).

PROVENANCE:

Sale, Bonhams, London, 14 December 2004, lot 351 (part)