When I was growing up, if there was a cooking dilemma posed in the kitchen, the answer was, "Check with Fannie" which meant to consult "The Fannie Farmer Boston Cooking School Cookbook".
Our gal, Fannie, was born in 1859 and published her first version of her book in 1896. The book was a departure from other cookbooks of the time in that the concepts of using standardized measuring spoons and cups as well as level measurement were introduced. In her personal life, Fannie suffered from ill-health and died at age 57. She is recognized in the culinary world as being synonymous with precision, organization and good food.
There are a number of editions, of course, but the one I've pictured is the one that had the last say in my childhood household (click here for purchasing info). And, the love for Fannie ran all through my family -- one of my cousins always travelled with a paperback copy of Fannie everywhere "just in case". I personally own four different editions and my 90 year old grandmother has an edition she acquired in the early years of her marriage.
Fannie has stood the test of time -- as I sit here writing this post, the current edition has a 4.5 star rating from 118 customer reviews on Amazon.com. In looking at some of the reviews, over and over, different reviewers mention the family-heirloom copies that are taped and battered.
I can't help but be sentimental about Fannie -- Amongst her gifts were birthday cakes, baking powder biscuits, blueberry pie, and clam chowder! Thank you, Fannie!!
Food & Kisses, GiGi
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