Ideas for good 1950-60s cook book

[fatherof4]

Hello,

My DW has got hold of an old 1970 edition of "Colourful Cooking" and has found it quite fun (and helpful) to read through old recipes. I thought I'd buy her a 1950s or 1960s 'classic' home cookery book, but don't know of any. Could anyone recommend one?

Many thanks.

Marguerite Patten - Everyday cookery - it's the best!

Good Housekeeping also publish a cookery book which is updated every decade or so - you could look for an old one of those. I have a modern one but also my Grandmother's from 1946 - fascinating to see the differences.

notrightnow - thanks for recommendations (we have a recent Good Housekeeping book too - v good)

The Bero book - they started publishing it in the 1950s I think, so if you poke around second hand book shops or eBay, you should pick one up quite cheaply. I have one from 1956 and it contains gems like "with a little practice, correct heats can be judged by putting ones hand in the oven"......

Yes, Be-ro book is great.
I like to trawl charity shops for recipe books... salvation army generally have some good ones.

thanks for all your help - will take a look through ebay / alibris / amazon for some second hand gems

You could also try getting some original editions (rather than the recent reprints) of some of the 'greats' from that era, i.e. Elizabeth David or Julia Child.

There was also a Radiation one, produced for the 'new' gas cookers. Also, I think Constance Spry may have produced her book about that time. Also, but possibly very dated, what about Fanny Craddock?

The Be-Ro book is definitely very good.
Also look out for old editions of the Good Housekeeping Step-by-Step Cookbook. It has very good recipes, with an index of colour photos at the front. My editions is 80s, but my Mum's is 60s/70s and some of the dinner party dishes need to be seen to be believed.