Miss Eliza’s English Kitchen
Book Feature - Miss Eliza’s English Kitchen by Annabel Abbs
HBL Note: Have you heard of Eliza Acton? I hadn’t. She was a food writer and poet who published Britain’s first cook book targeted to the average home cook. We have this cook book to thank for the ubiquitous format of including a list of ingredients and approximate cooking time, Eliza was the first to do that! IN MISS ELIZA’S ENGLISH KITCHEN, author Annabel Abbs brings to life “the relatively unknown story of Acton’s contributions to recipe development.” This touches on the heart of why I love historical fiction so much. It introduces me to a pioneering woman in history. Scroll down to read more.
And speaking of cook books, have you checked out my friend Kristin Hoffman’s new cook book, Baker Bettie’s Better Baking Book?
Book Feature - Miss Eliza’s English Kitchen by Annabel Abbs
Book Feature - Miss Eliza’s English Kitchen by Annabel Abbs
From the publisher:
England, 1835. London is awash with thrilling new ingredients, from rare spices to exotic fruits. But no one knows how to use them. When Eliza Acton is told by her publisher to write a cookery book instead of the poetry she loves, she refuses—until her bankrupt father is forced to flee the country. As a woman, Eliza has few options. Although she’s never set foot in a kitchen, she begins collecting recipes and teaching herself to cook. Much to her surprise she discovers a talent – and a passion – for the culinary arts.
Eliza hires young, destitute Ann Kirby to assist her. As they cook together, Ann learns about poetry, love and ambition. The two develop a radical friendship, breaking the boundaries of class while creating new ways of writing recipes. But when Ann discovers a secret in Eliza’s past, and finds a voice of her own, their friendship starts to fray.
Based on the true story of the first modern cookery writer, Miss Eliza’s English Kitchen is a spellbinding novel about female friendship, the struggle for independence, and the transcendent pleasures and solace of food.
Book Feature - Miss Eliza’s English Kitchen by Annabel Abbs
