Old-Time Farmhouse Cooking: Rural America Recipes & Farm Lore

I enjoyed the farmer witticisms and not so much the recipes. They were difficult to follow by today’s modern standards.

In the introduction to this treasure-trove, Barbara Swell lets us know that, "The recipes in this book have been collected from a wide variety of American agricultural journals published between the 1880's and the 1950's. In an attempt to preserve the folklore of hand-me-down cooking, you will find that all the recipes are written in their original form." To help the cooks of the 21st century, Swell offers notes of interpretation so that we can try our hand at these recipes.Barbara Swell has collected a massive amount of interesting history on what is obviously her "passion;" American rural cooking and folklore. I am grateful for her work in making this wonderful information available to me. I can't get enough of the historical lore, photos from long ago, stories of the struggles many had in putting together a meal, what people were eating "back then," Barbara's personal memories, and so much more.I certainly have a greater appreciation for the modern amenities that I take for granted today. I will let you in on a little information about me; I have lived without electricity, indoor plumbing, and my mom cooked on a wood stove. I was in the 5th grade, walked a long way to my one-room school house, (no, it wasn't up-hill both ways,) and I loved every minute of those long ago days! I can't say the same for my mom. We headed for the "city," when my mom was 8-months pregnant and getting up the hill to the outdoor "facilities" in the snow was the straw that broke the camel's back! Reading the stories in Swell's book about the strong folk who lived in a time when getting supper on the table included growing the vegetables and butchering the meat, sure makes the local supermarket and farmer's markets we have today seem like a God-send! Just thinking about what my own mom went through those long years ago gives me a greater admiration for her hard work in getting supper on the table for her five children!This 5½x8½-inch, black and white print booklet has a total of 72 pages, and includes 56 recipes. The recipes are broken down into these categories: Soups and Stews, Breads, Meats, Tomatoes, Vegetables, Desserts, and Pickles and Jam. Some of the old-timey recipes that intrigue me are: Georgia Gumbo, (from 1950); Verna's Icebox Butter Buns, (1940); Ginger Cornbread; Mrs. Tweed's Baked Ham & Yams, (1951); Chicken Pot Pie, (1933, which is actually more like Chicken & Dumplings); Apple Dowdy, (1927); Coconut Caramel Meringue Chews, (1941); and Grandmother's Cream Cake (originally from 1850.) Yum, yum, yum!Other chapters include: The Farmhouse Kitchen, Dishes Farm Men Like, Farm Jokes & Just Wondering, Remedies & House Hints, and Laundry. This little gem of a book is FULL of sayings, folklore, traditions from times gone by, poems, and sage advice."Just keep on smiling cheerfully, if hope is nearly gone. And bristle up and grit your teeth, and keep on keepin' on." Farm Life, 1927If this book sounds like something you would enjoy, you might also want to consider these additional books by Barbara Swell, which I have also reviewed.  The Lost Art of Pie Making Made Easy , Aunt Barb's Bread Book , and  Take Two & Butter 'Em While They're Hot: Heirloom Recipes & Kitchen Wisdom .

When I purchased the book I was hoping for recipes from the 1800s but these are from the 1900s on: despite that, I really like it. These are a few of the recipes in this little cookbook. There are many I've never heard of but want to try. Coupled with the recipes of our mothers and grandmothers are little homiles of the times gone by. It's an interesting little cookbook and will be a lot of fun as I use the recipes.Ethels' Nice Tomato Cookies= Rural New Yorker October, 1926 The recipe starts with a simple sugar cookie recipe and has a filling made of tomato sauce, brown sugar, raisons and lemon juice that is cooked and used a filling. It is a sweet cookie and I've never heard of it before but will be trying it as the reviews are favorable and I'm curious! Carrot jam ( yes, it's sweet. ) Blueberry relish Swedish Orange Rye Bread Cranberry Pot Roast If one does not expect a book the size of Betty Crocker's this is worth the money

It is a cute book with mostly little stories and not many recipes

This was a wonderful book.. thank u for writing it... I got alot of recipes and information from this book..

This is smaller book than I expected. It does have some funny stories in it, interesting history and recipes worth a try.If you don't have an open sense of humor, this might be an offensive read to you.

Has a couple of recipes that I would try, but has other useless information in it, if your looking for a cookbook only then this isn't it.

This is not a recipe book. This is a political pamphlet with recipes thrown in between rants.The "Lore" part of the book isPictures of women chained to stoves (yes really), stories of man-hating spinsters telling young women not to get married, pictures of wives laughing at their "idiot" husbands.One man is mocked for having the audacity to say Marshmallow Fluff Salad isn't hearty enough to sustain a person through the hard physical labour required of farm life.While there are jerks and stories for every niche, this author chose to focus on them without balance.The picture on the cover of the sweet granny with her "let's work together" attitude, is Misleading.Now the recipes.I collect old timey recipes, and you can find the ones here in better books.Sadly, the author states she chose to exclude organ meats and those "pesky leftovers" she doesn't like.The author is either oblivious to the fact that organ meats are making a come back, and the known nutrition of them was respected back in the day......or the author is chosing to represent history as she sees fit for her agenda.This pamphlet is going straight into the garbage.

I wasn't expecting such an interesting book! I loved everything about it. Some parts made me laugh and some parts made me really think. Thanks also for the recipes :)

Lots of little sayings and tidbits of information but not many exciting recipes

enjoyable meals to share with 4th generation.

This is a great book if you're interested in pioneer cooking/history and old time lore. I really enjoyed reading it and am looking forward to making some of the recipes. I love the way folks,cooked, mainly by feel and checking to see if somethings was ready. I highly recommend this book.Claire

It is a very interesting little book, filled with recipes , and pictures. A little bit of history. I would say it makes a great gift. I have already given one to my sister-in-law.