May 18, 2011

Faithful to Fannie

"Fannie Farmer's Last Supper" documents the efforts of America's Test Kitchen to reproduce a Victorian Boston dinner feast, using recipes from the Boston Cooking-School Cook Book, published in 1896..Whether you are a foodie, a social historian, or a steampunk, the hour's exploration of what cooking in the era was like will fascinate you.

The show's staff, with the help of numerous chefs, used the same labor-intensive methods and kitchen equipment as home cooks in the late 1800's. Authenticity demanded going so far as to construct a coal-fired stove.  After more than a year of testing recipes, finding or reproducing the needed tools, and acquiring antique place settings, the crew hosted a magnificent supper worthy of an upper crust Boston home in the Golden Age.

The photos, commentary and sumptuous meal made me want to learn more about food and its preparation in that era. I'd especially love to see the original Cook Book, for its language as much as its ingredient lists. And if any steampunk authors are planning to set a story within the Boston Cooking-School, I'll pre-order now. My appetite's been well whetted.

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