Peter Pauper Series...Oddballs

For the third installment of my Peter Pauper Press series, I'm calling these the oddballs, because they don't seem to fit into any other sets.

 This one would be helpful for party planning, or if you just want something different to relax with on Friday night.

Some old favorite holiday drinks can be found in these pages, like Olde Yule Wassail and Hot Buttered  Rum.

 

  

 Published in 1976, this is one of the later books that I own. Most of the others were printed in the 1950s to 1960s.

 

 Who knew you could cook shrimp curry in the microwave, from start to finish? Seems like caution would be needed to prevent rubbery shrimp.

This one is for all the old hippies  and New Agers out there. The foreword reads, in part, "...foods of foreign flavor for the Geminian who likes to travel, fish food for those born under the sign of Pisces, ... solid foods for the solid Virgo..."

Each sign section gives a short summary of "your domestic virtues and vices" and a few suggested recipes designed to appeal.

This lovely book is so useful for learning about fresh seasonings, from Allspice to Turmeric.

In addition, there is info on dehydrated vegetable seasonings, blends, and, of course, several recipes.

 The last in this oddball series is also the largest of all. The format is a bit different from the others, but I decided it fit the cookbook criteria, so I have it in the collection, even though it stands out a little too much --perhaps as befits its title!

These "rich" were all "industrialists," a term one doesn't often hear these days. Some are original recipes dating back at least 100 years, according to the introduction. 

So there you have the misfits of my collection. Believe it or not, there are more to come, so check back next time.

Peter Pauper Series...A to Z

 Last week, on Wordless Wednesday, I posted a photo of my collection of cookbooks published by the Peter Pauper Press.

I felt that the picture did not adequately convey the beauty of these books, so I've decided to do a series on them, so that you may see how extraordinary they are.

Established in 1928 by an art designer named Peter Beilensen, the company published books "that even a pauper could afford," according to their website: Peter Pauper Press. A cookbook series was begun in the 1950s, covering everything from "Abalone to Zabaglione."

 The vivid colors and striking modern quality of the graphic design of these books is what initially attracted me, and continues to do so, though I admit to taking them for granted most of the time. Another reason to do some blogging on them is to get to know them again.

This was published in 1957 and was illustrated by Ruth McCrea. It has 60 pages of recipes; some have become everyday recipes and others not so much (Eel, en Matelot, for example.)

 This companion volume, published the same year and also illustrated by McCrea, focuses on beverages, specifically those of the alcoholic variety.

This has a combination of recipes and general information--a very helpful guide.

At 7 1/2" by 4 1/2," all the books but one in my collection, including these two, are small and take up very little room. Nearly all are less than 1/2" thick. Such an easy collection to find space for!