Your chlodnik looks lovely. It is one of the most refreshing things in the world, although every Russian I know would make the Russian version with veal or some other kind of meat (you can probably guess that I prefer the vegetarian version).
Lovely post, as well!
Oh oh oh! You got me on this one! I am absolutely passionate about old old cookbooks! The feel of any old book seems to connect you with the past, but a cookbook especially connects you to the day to day lifestyles of the era. My favorite right now is Mrs. Lincoln's Boston Cookbook 188x. It is a challenge sometimes ("put in a hot oven" hot? how hot? how long? ah!) but when you nail it, you truly feel accomplished.
But leave a certain group of these books aside. The victorian era through ___ where they emphasize the proper place settings and etiquette. That's not the real, everyday life I'm searching for when reading a cookbook. Yes, I said reading, like a novel. A professional chef I met running a B&B in San Antonio once told me she read cookbooks. I finally understand!
And you're right about the scraps of paper. I've picked these up at garage sales from time to time and although I've yet to find a gem, the thought that someone cared enough to save a particular recipe from "aunt maude" is special.
I rue two days in my life re cookbooks: 1) allowing a 1700s cookbook get away from me on ebay and 2) the day I sold my mother's version Fannie Farmer cookbook. (If someone out there has it, let me buy it back, please!)
Hi Jen - it's a great soup for summer. I love the vegetarian version best too.
Hi Stephanie - I read cookbooks for pleasure also. Always have, and my mom does too.
You might be interested in a book Jan Longone told me about called "Recipes for Reading."
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