Montgomery Ward & Co.

My copy of the book, literally in pieces, held together by elastic, would probably be worth about $1.87 tops except for the wonderful handwritten recipes on many of the pages and inside covers of this wonderful book.

Here are handwritten recipes on how to cure hams, preserve 100 pounds or more of meat in a barrel, make and preserve cider, and other fascinating looks into how people actually lived at the turn of the century (apparently, in the country). How I wish I knew who the author of these handwritten notes was!

Also glued into the book is a newspaper clipping with a recommended Christmas Dinner Menu, and instructions on how to prepare some of the menu items.

The Menu follows:

Star Christmas Relish
Olives Cream of Tomato Soup Celery
Crabmeat Dewey Rolls
Cider Cup Young Shoal Spinach
Milk fed Watertown Goose a la Tiny Tim
Sweet Potato in Melon Form, with Sprig of Holly
Chestnuts and Raisins
Star of Bethlehem Salad
Poinsetta (sic) Plum Pudding, Hard Sauce
Individual Ice Cream in Form of Christmas Candles
Star Christmas Cakes Bonbons
Assorted Fruit
Coffee Camembert Cheese
Toasted Crackers

Star Christmas Relish consisted of 6 blue point oysters for each person, 3 artichokes per person and, mushrooms and caviar (a 35 cent can) prepared in an elegant way.

Young Shoal is a complete suckling pig. It is important to ask each guest if they would prefer ear, head, or lower jaw. What is done with the rest, I cannot guess.

It gives one pause to imagine preparing this meal. It gives one even greater pause to consider consuming it. It must have taken hours to dine. But it would have been a wonderful experience!

… (mais)