The Country Kitchen

Written before WWII, about the author's childhood, this memoir still reads, to me, as if only one generation back. Farm life didn't change much until quite recently, and in some ways still hasn't. I do thank goodness I don't have to deal with the capricious, egotistical, and self-centered old man Della's mother did, though. I guess he was a good provider & loving in his own way, however. And I love Lutes' voice - she has a real ear for the people's speech, and uses plenty of local jargon, too. And some earnest purplish prose, but it's all a celebration and just charming.

The most intriguing recipe that's doable w/out salt pork, rhubarb, and/or a killer amount of cream and/or butter is Sour Cream Cookies. The closest recipe I could easily show more find online is http://knucklesalad.com/mccalls-old-fashioned-sour-cream-cookies/. Other recipes use too much sugar or extra ingredients. show less

A marvellous read, being an autobiographical kitchen based memoir of the author's childhood on a Michigan farm in the 1880s, first published in 1938. Scout out these recollections of 'Outdoor Cooking and Eating, 'The Country Fair', 'Breakfast, Old Style', 'A Simple Christmas' and more.

8th printing. Companion to Home Grown.