The Science and Art of Preparing Food

<p>Food is the most important of our wants; we cannot exist without it. The man who does not use his brain to select and prepare his food is not above the brutes that take it in its raw state. It is to the physique what education is to the mind coarse or refined. Good and well-prepared food beautifies the physique the same as a good and well-directed education beautifies the mind.</p><p> </p><p>A cookbok is like a book on chemistry it cannot be used to any advantage if theory is not blended with practice. It must also be written according to the natural products and climate of the country in which it is to be used and with a perfect knowledge of the properties of the different articles of food and condiments. Like many other books it is not the size that makes it practical; we could have made this one twice as large as it is without having added a single receipt to it by only having given separate ones for pieces of meat birds fishes etc. that are of the same kind and prepared alike.</p><p> </p><p>All cookboks written by mere compilers besides giving the same receipt several times recommend the most absurd mixtures as being the best and of the latest French style. Although cookery has made more progress within two or three years in this country as well as in Europe than it had since 1830 and although all our receipts are complete practical wholesome and in accordance with progress still they are simple.</p><p> </p><p>Our aim has been to enable every housekeeper and professional cook no matter how inexperienced they may be to prepare any kind of food in the best and most wholesome way with economy celerity and taste; and also to serve a dinner in as orderly a manner as any steward can do.</p><p> </p>