A Year of Victorian Puddings

I bought this cookbook for fun. Also on the back cover there was the mention of the classic Bakewell Pudding and Apple Charlotte which captured my eyes... and intrigued my stomach. This is a charming little book, only a 186 pages, this copy is a reproduction of the original from 1862. Still it is comprehensive and gives one a glimpse into the life of the Victorian Pudding. With current shows such as Downtown Abbey I can see this book having a bit of a revival. However, for me I enjoy adding all sorts of cookbooks to my collection regardless of how popular a TV show may be. 

The recipes are organised by month and consists of cheesecakes, pies, pancakes, tarts, fools, fritters, omelettes, custards and of course steamed puddings. The recipes are traditional English and seasonal for every day and month of the year. The author adds her no-nonsense advice as well as her musings on ingredients and their appropriateness. Fun as this cookbook may be, the other reason I bought this book is because it offers a bit of ease when planning a dessert. Look up the month, pick a dessert, prepare, bake and then serve. A pudding that is most appropriate and suitable for the weather outside.        

Georgiana 'Browning' Hill was an acclaimed cookbook author of the late 1800's. Her  three infamous cookery books are The Gourmet's Guide to Rabbit Cooking published in 1859, The Breakfast Book and How to Cook Apples were both published in 1865. Her early cookbooks were geared more towards the middle class and offered simple recipes. Whereas later on her cookbooks became more adventurous with recipes from Spain and France. 

Fun, no-nonsense and great little cookbook. - JW