I always thought Mrs Beeton was like a Fanny Craddock type from circa WWII - thank you for such a thorough education!
My mum's culinary tome was The Good Housekeeping cookery book from, I'd guess, the early 70s. I always enjoyed cooking as a kid and I was a slavish devotee to that book for a couple of years. I don't really do cookbooks as an adult, but I've got a couple that I refuse to throw out. When I get a bigger kitchen they're getting their own easy access shelf.
That must have been a good primer, Lewis – Good Housekeeping were always so particular about testing recipes. I culled my cookbooks a few years ago so they’d fit on the kitchen shelf, but there’s no room for Mrs Beeton – it’s four inches thick! She’ll have to stay in the office.
It was a brilliant primer. Especially the basics, I sailed through my Home Ec GCSE thanks to that book! It wasn't quite four inches thick but it was a hefty old thing that's for sure, don't think I'd be able to fit it into my current cook book space. Next time I'm round the olds' I'm going to see if it's still lurking in the kitchen.
I had no idea Mrs Beeton died so young - but why let that detail spoil the marketing?! My mum's cooking Bible was Delia Smith 😊. Fascinating piece as ever Wendy, complete with manifested pheasant!
We were also a Delia Smith household, particularly the Christmas cake recipie. I have really great memories of us opening the book in October half term to make the cake. So much that I have 'borrowed' it from my mum to continue this tradition with my own children now.
Another thoughtful story Wendy. My mum had similar books, quite a few from memory. I kept things for years, but I think I’ve passed them on now, as that pheasant ought to do lest you turn to the peasant page in Mrs Beeton.
I'd never heard of Mrs. Beeton and her reference book of domestic knowledge. Such an interesting biography, too. The pheasant making an appearance was eerie!
I don't know that there was an iconic figure like Mrs. Beeton although there were certainly many books offering young women the rules of etiquette and expectations of housewifery in 19th c. America.
Sorry you didn’t enjoy the hare. One of the best dishes I’ve ever eaten was a saddle of hare (Cuisse de Lièvre St Hubert) in a restaurant in Brussels circa 1980. Avec frites of course.
I’ve never had hare since, partly because I couldn’t quite believe it could live up to the memory, partly because few things give more joy than seeing one in the wild.
I am from Ireland and my mother and her mother used Mrs Beeton's book. I did not realize she died so young. She certainly achieved a lot in that short period. My go to kitchen manual is Darina Allen's Ballymaloe Cookery Course
Thanks, Lucy. Good to know Mrs Beeton had a place in your family, too!
I'm not familiar with Darina Allen, but looking her up now, she seems to be a household name in Ireland. I'll take a look at her programmes, thanks for the tip!
I’d found a copy of this book in Baggins Book Bazaar (largest second-hand bookshop in England!), but left it and I’m deeply regretting it now. I’ve collected a few vintage household management books, but only buy them when they include old clippings pressed into the pages. I enjoy the sense of history.
Oh, shame on missing out on the book, Linda. Saved you some shelf space, though! My mum’s bookmarks are part of what I love. There are some weird incidental recipes she cut out from cereal packets, including a Rice Krispies and sausage concoction. It all adds to the character!
Absolutely smitten. I might have to buy that book. (But not yet, I’m acquiring more than I can read) Wendy, I love everything about this post. And your honoring mum with a Yorkshire pudding is so touching. I wonder if my grandma read any of Mrs Beeton. My mum told me she recalls grandma reading The Lady. When my cousin Jonathan comes in from London for our very American Thanksgiving- he sometime brings The Lady mag. along with his usual Fortnum and Mason. Hugs from over here.
Thanks, Andrea. A lady from my Pilates class just lent me her own inherited copy of Mrs Beeton, which is a much earlier edition than my mum’s, so I’m enjoying comparing and contrasting!
I read that The Lady magazine has just closed. Saw an interesting piece about its history here, which I’ll add to my comment if I can find it… ah yes, here it is:
Oh my goodness this was such an interesting read! She achieved so much in such a short time! Things that particularly stood out to me include:
The hare - wish I hadn't been eating my lunch when I read that bit, Wendy, I won't lie to you
Hysteria - Milk? MILK? Why milk? Did she explain?
The babies passing away - awful
And that the whole thing marched on without her, after her passing, more than likely giving nothing back to her family as the rights had been unwittingly sold?
Thanks, Charlotte, and no, no explanation of why milk was given for hysteria!
There was a schism in the family after Mrs B’s death. Had her husband ‘worked her too hard?’ etc. His family looked after their surviving children - they didn’t see their maternal grandparents afterwards. So family feuds and publishing shenanigans got in the way of telling her story for decades and it wasn’t until Kathryn Hughes put the jigsaw back together for her 2006 biography that the full story emerged. Found it riveting!
Mrs Beeton was a powerhouse - who knew there were so many pies?
I knew she was young when she passed away, but I hadn't realised she was the oldest child of such an enormous brood. That's extraordinary, but evidently goes some way to explaining how such a young woman could write so authoritatively and knowledgeably on household management!
Yes! I had no idea of her background when I started down this rabbit hole, Helen. Fascinating. I think one of her step-brothers was older, but as the oldest girl, she was the designated mother’s helper.
Funnily enough, I've just been reading an article about the incredibly Scottish macaroni pie (macaroni cheese baked in a pie!), and it mentions Mrs B. Apparently, she wrote the earliest recognisable macaroni cheese recipe. Although she recommended boiling the pasta for over an hour. Hmmm.... Nope!
I read that biography a few years ago and I remember it being a revelation. And the suggested syphilis thing - so sad. Incredible that she died at just 28!
Oh, glad you read it too, Fiona. It’s such a brilliant and well-researched biography. I was gripped! Makes me want to read more of Kathryn Hughes’ work.
This is fascinating and kind of tragic! Here in Australia, we grew up with the Women’s Weekly Cookbook and the Children’s Birthday Cake edition, which is responsible for many questionable creations, including the famous “Duck cake” as seen on Bluey and the “Hickory Dickory Dock Cake” 🐭
I always thought Mrs Beeton was like a Fanny Craddock type from circa WWII - thank you for such a thorough education!
My mum's culinary tome was The Good Housekeeping cookery book from, I'd guess, the early 70s. I always enjoyed cooking as a kid and I was a slavish devotee to that book for a couple of years. I don't really do cookbooks as an adult, but I've got a couple that I refuse to throw out. When I get a bigger kitchen they're getting their own easy access shelf.
That must have been a good primer, Lewis – Good Housekeeping were always so particular about testing recipes. I culled my cookbooks a few years ago so they’d fit on the kitchen shelf, but there’s no room for Mrs Beeton – it’s four inches thick! She’ll have to stay in the office.
It was a brilliant primer. Especially the basics, I sailed through my Home Ec GCSE thanks to that book! It wasn't quite four inches thick but it was a hefty old thing that's for sure, don't think I'd be able to fit it into my current cook book space. Next time I'm round the olds' I'm going to see if it's still lurking in the kitchen.
Excellent!
What an interesting piece, Wendy! And the pheasant!!! Not hard to imagine that it's a nod from Mrs Beeton herself!
Thanks, Ingrid. I couldn't believe the pheasant! Felt like it was channeling Mrs Beeton and my mum :D
I had no idea Mrs Beeton died so young - but why let that detail spoil the marketing?! My mum's cooking Bible was Delia Smith 😊. Fascinating piece as ever Wendy, complete with manifested pheasant!
Thanks, Faith!
Oh yes, Delia absolutely dominated British cookery for years!
We were also a Delia Smith household, particularly the Christmas cake recipie. I have really great memories of us opening the book in October half term to make the cake. So much that I have 'borrowed' it from my mum to continue this tradition with my own children now.
Delia has always been so reliable. I think her legacy might continue as long as Mrs Beeton’s at this rate! Thank you for your comment, Kate.
This is such a great story. I love Mrs. Beeton. I believe she lived next-door.
Waste oh no.
You have a great sense of humor.
I remember my Earley partner the dad of my children gave me a Christmas present, a book called how to clean just about anything.
That was the highlight of our romance
Well, done
Thank you for this
Oh thank you, Prajna, you made me laugh! A gift of How to clean just about anything - what a passion killer!
Yes therefore the X
🤪🌹💚
Another thoughtful story Wendy. My mum had similar books, quite a few from memory. I kept things for years, but I think I’ve passed them on now, as that pheasant ought to do lest you turn to the peasant page in Mrs Beeton.
Haha! It did look at me as if to say ‘Don’t even think about it!’
As it ran down the lane in haste.
I'd never heard of Mrs. Beeton and her reference book of domestic knowledge. Such an interesting biography, too. The pheasant making an appearance was eerie!
Was there a US equivalent, Jill?
Yes, such a surprise to see the pheasant materialise!
I don't know that there was an iconic figure like Mrs. Beeton although there were certainly many books offering young women the rules of etiquette and expectations of housewifery in 19th c. America.
Sorry you didn’t enjoy the hare. One of the best dishes I’ve ever eaten was a saddle of hare (Cuisse de Lièvre St Hubert) in a restaurant in Brussels circa 1980. Avec frites of course.
I’ve never had hare since, partly because I couldn’t quite believe it could live up to the memory, partly because few things give more joy than seeing one in the wild.
Glad you have a good memory of that dish, Jon.
Yes, I think the dissection of the hare put me right off the smell and then the flavour!
Like you, I love to them in the wild. One was zipping across a field when I went for a walk this afternoon. Such an inspiring sight.
I am from Ireland and my mother and her mother used Mrs Beeton's book. I did not realize she died so young. She certainly achieved a lot in that short period. My go to kitchen manual is Darina Allen's Ballymaloe Cookery Course
Thanks, Lucy. Good to know Mrs Beeton had a place in your family, too!
I'm not familiar with Darina Allen, but looking her up now, she seems to be a household name in Ireland. I'll take a look at her programmes, thanks for the tip!
I’d found a copy of this book in Baggins Book Bazaar (largest second-hand bookshop in England!), but left it and I’m deeply regretting it now. I’ve collected a few vintage household management books, but only buy them when they include old clippings pressed into the pages. I enjoy the sense of history.
Oh, shame on missing out on the book, Linda. Saved you some shelf space, though! My mum’s bookmarks are part of what I love. There are some weird incidental recipes she cut out from cereal packets, including a Rice Krispies and sausage concoction. It all adds to the character!
Absolutely smitten. I might have to buy that book. (But not yet, I’m acquiring more than I can read) Wendy, I love everything about this post. And your honoring mum with a Yorkshire pudding is so touching. I wonder if my grandma read any of Mrs Beeton. My mum told me she recalls grandma reading The Lady. When my cousin Jonathan comes in from London for our very American Thanksgiving- he sometime brings The Lady mag. along with his usual Fortnum and Mason. Hugs from over here.
Thanks, Andrea. A lady from my Pilates class just lent me her own inherited copy of Mrs Beeton, which is a much earlier edition than my mum’s, so I’m enjoying comparing and contrasting!
I read that The Lady magazine has just closed. Saw an interesting piece about its history here, which I’ll add to my comment if I can find it… ah yes, here it is:
https://open.substack.com/pub/laurathompsonwriter/p/good-night-sweet-lady?r=cmaaf&utm_medium=ios
Thank you dear!
I love the modern kitchen! I’d like mine to look like that
It’s so neat! I doubt many kitchens in the 1950s had that many units and mod cons!
Oh my goodness this was such an interesting read! She achieved so much in such a short time! Things that particularly stood out to me include:
The hare - wish I hadn't been eating my lunch when I read that bit, Wendy, I won't lie to you
Hysteria - Milk? MILK? Why milk? Did she explain?
The babies passing away - awful
And that the whole thing marched on without her, after her passing, more than likely giving nothing back to her family as the rights had been unwittingly sold?
Fascinating.
Thanks, Charlotte, and no, no explanation of why milk was given for hysteria!
There was a schism in the family after Mrs B’s death. Had her husband ‘worked her too hard?’ etc. His family looked after their surviving children - they didn’t see their maternal grandparents afterwards. So family feuds and publishing shenanigans got in the way of telling her story for decades and it wasn’t until Kathryn Hughes put the jigsaw back together for her 2006 biography that the full story emerged. Found it riveting!
I may have to add it to my reading list!
Mrs Beeton was a powerhouse - who knew there were so many pies?
I knew she was young when she passed away, but I hadn't realised she was the oldest child of such an enormous brood. That's extraordinary, but evidently goes some way to explaining how such a young woman could write so authoritatively and knowledgeably on household management!
Yes! I had no idea of her background when I started down this rabbit hole, Helen. Fascinating. I think one of her step-brothers was older, but as the oldest girl, she was the designated mother’s helper.
And yes, so very many pies!
The fate of many a big sister, sadly!
Funnily enough, I've just been reading an article about the incredibly Scottish macaroni pie (macaroni cheese baked in a pie!), and it mentions Mrs B. Apparently, she wrote the earliest recognisable macaroni cheese recipe. Although she recommended boiling the pasta for over an hour. Hmmm.... Nope!
I read that biography a few years ago and I remember it being a revelation. And the suggested syphilis thing - so sad. Incredible that she died at just 28!
Oh, glad you read it too, Fiona. It’s such a brilliant and well-researched biography. I was gripped! Makes me want to read more of Kathryn Hughes’ work.
I've eaten hare only once, found it rather gamey. Poor Mrs Beaton. Mind you, her mother's life sounded like purgatory.
Yes, her poor mother - 17 children, 4 stepchildren!
Coincidentally, I’m fascinated by the reality TV show, 22 Kids and Counting (Channel 5)
This is fascinating and kind of tragic! Here in Australia, we grew up with the Women’s Weekly Cookbook and the Children’s Birthday Cake edition, which is responsible for many questionable creations, including the famous “Duck cake” as seen on Bluey and the “Hickory Dickory Dock Cake” 🐭
Thanks, Sara. I was quite stunned to learn about the real Mrs Beeton. A short and very intense life.
The children’s cakes sound amazing! I’ll have to watch out for that Bluey episode. (Grandchildren’s favourite TV show, of course!)