American Cookery: The Art of Dressing Viands, Fish, Poultry, and Vegetables

"American Cookery: The Art of Dressing Viands, Fish, Poultry, and Vegetables" by Amelia Simmons is a guide to American cooking from the 1700s. It is created for American cooks and contains information about preparing a variety of foods, like meats, fish, and vegetables. It also provides recipes for sweet treats such as pastries and cakes, as well as instructions for making food preserves. Reflecting the cooking styles of the time, the book aims to improve the skills of American women in the kitchen. It discusses how to pick out the best ingredients, like good cuts of meat, fresh fish, and local vegetables, and also provides useful cooking tips. The easy-to-understand instructions are designed for anyone wanting to learn more about cooking. By including recipes for cakes and fruit preserves, it connects to the traditions of early American cooking, highlighting the significance of both daily meals and special occasion treats for successful home cooking.