Respect the hell out of her but don't get too revved up about the Fannie Farmer Cookbook have to say. The slightly prickly, though v v knowledgable to be sure, Chris Kimball of America's Test Kitchen took the time to investigate and recreate one of Fannie Farmer's menus: a 12-course Christmas dinner that she served at the end of the 19th century. Close to twenty different recipes made on a wood stove, without food processor or oven thermometer -done in about 3 hours...
The PBS special will be out this fall but he also wrote a book about the experience. Fannie’s Last Supper includes the sourcing of the unusual ingredients and implements, bizarre tastings, and would be a hit w/ readers interested in food and the Victorian era. The dishes from the dinner are there plus revised and updated recipes from Fannie's Boston Cooking School Cookbook. This particular era of food is not my bag honestly but Kimball and co. are a huge resource and force for preservation of techniques and knowledge. Plus jealous as hell of his VT digs/barn/sugar shed/Indian motorcycle etc...
