Merry Gourmet Miniatures ©  1988 -  2022.                                              Designed By Bluechip Computer Support

“The Art of Cooking Made Plain and Easy”

Hannah Glasse was not a qualified chef but she wrote the most successful cookbook of the 18th Century. Attributed anonymously when first published in 1747 it was not until the 1751 edition that her name appeared as the author.  Writing more clearly and comprehensively than earlier cook book writers, it is clear that she seems to have experimented and tried a lot of the recipes she included, rather than just copying them from previous books.  Though large sections of her book were not original, and had been lifted whole from other sources, recipes then were not considered the property of the  writer and many recipes and cook books of the time were copied from earlier publications.

As a book for reference it has many drawbacks but the typical English fare that she describes has much to recommend it, for English cuisine had moved away from the medieval taste with only traces remaining in some dishes.   Her book was unusual in that it was directed at the middle class housewife, rather than  ‘the haute cuisine’ of the upper classes and although not easy to navigate to our modern eyes, its practical information appealed to any contemporary housewife wishing to vary their repertoire.

Hannah Glasse’s “Scalloped Potatoes, with Flower Blossom Carrots and Asparagus” reproduced in 1:12th scale.

Hannah Glasse’s “ Chocolate Pots decorated with Lemon Slices”  reproduced in 1:12th scale.

Hannah Glasse  1708 - 1770

Hannah Glasse’s “ Scalloped Potatoes with roasted Fennel and whole Carrots” reproduced in 1:12th scale.