A PM Homestead pick:  “The Fannie Farmer Cookbook” by Marion Cunningham. If you are going to have one cookbook in your homestead kitchen, this is the one you need.

This cookbook was originally published in 1896 under the title of “The Boston Cooking-School Cook Book” by Fannie Merritt Farmer. Marion Cunningham updated the original cookbook to give us this 100^th year anniversary addition.

I actually purchased my book in 1996 when it was published. I remember being on the “wait list” to receive the book. Let me tell you, it was worth it. My book has since lost the book jacket; it is stained; I’ve written in the book and marked all kinds of pages with frequently used recipes. It may be worn, but this is the one cookbook I will never give up.

Let me tell you why I like it so much. First, inside the cover (both front and back) we have all kinds of quick reference information. Information like baking equivalents, quick tips, basic pie dough formulas, roasting temperatures for various meats, and so on.

The topics covered are in logical order. So, let’s say I want to make soup. Well, there’s a chapter on soup. How about meat, or pizza, or tacos, or eggs? Yes, yes, yes, and yes. Chapters on all. How about we roast a game bird? There’s a section on that, too. For those of you that process chickens at your homestead, this book shows you how to part them into pieces. Want to do outdoor cooking? Guess what? There’s a chapter on that, too. Want to can your food for use later? There’s a chapter showing the basics of canning. Got a sweet tooth? Gotcha covered with chapters on cookies, cakes, pies, candies, frostings, and fillings. Had too many sweets and now you need to count calories? Well, there’s even a chapter on nutritional values.

The recipes are well written and to the point. Additionally, there are tips scattered throughout the book to help you out. Illustrations are clear line drawings. The book has a table of contents and an index to find whatever you are looking for.

Here’s the thing. Cooking is the central activity at your homestead. Make your life simple. Learn to cook well and use what you have on hand. Use this book as your reference.