The Golden Rule Cook Book: Six hundred recipes for meatless dishes by Sharpe

(4 User reviews)   361
Sharpe, M. R. L. (Maud Russell Lorraine), 1867-1949 Sharpe, M. R. L. (Maud Russell Lorraine), 1867-1949
English
Ever wonder what people ate before Impossible Burgers? I just picked up this wild cookbook from 1910 called 'The Golden Rule Cook Book.' It's not just recipes—it's a time capsule of kitchen rebellion. Written by Maud Sharpe, a woman way ahead of her time, it's packed with 600 meatless dishes from a world without tofu or supermarkets. It's part history lesson, part culinary adventure, and a surprising look at how vegetarianism started long before it was trendy. I'm talking nut loaves, savory puddings, and creative ways to cook beans. It's fascinating, a little weird, and totally charming.
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is life, I have given every green herb for meat; and it was so. Genesis i. 29, 30 CONTENTS Page INTRODUCTION 11 THE KITCHEN 29 THE DINING ROOM 35 SUGGESTIVE COMMENTS 39 SOUPS 45 VEGETABLES 79 VEGETABLE COMBINATIONS 167 NUT DISHES 177 RICE, MACARONI, ETC. 185 CROQUETTES 197 TIMBALES AND PATTIES 209 SAUCES 217 EGGS 231 CHEESE 249 SALADS 257 SAVOURIES 273 SANDWICHES 281 PASTRY, PATTY CASES, ETC. 287 A FEW HOT BREADS 293 PLUM PUDDING AND MINCE PIE 299 MENUS 303 INDEX 315 Let none falter who thinks he is right. Abraham Lincoln. INTRODUCTION The arranging of this help for those who are seeking to obey the call to a higher humanitarianism, which is put forth by non-flesh-eating men and women, has been a labour of love: the labour, the result of an earnest endeavour to so write the receipts that "the way-faring woman may not err therein," the love, of a kind whose integrity may not be questioned, since it has inspired to the never easy task of going against the stream of habit and custom, and to individual effort in behalf of the myriads of gentle and amenable creatures, which an animality that defiles the use of the word has accustomed man to killing and eating. The name Vegetarian has come to mean one who abstains from animal flesh as food; and, as some designation is necessary, it is perhaps a sufficiently suitable one. This term did not, however, originally classify those who used a bloodless diet, but is derived from the Latin Homo Vegitus, which words described to the Romans a strong, vigorous man. The definition of the word Vegitus, as given in Thomas Holyoke's Latin Dictionary, is "whole, sound, quick, fresh, lively, lusty, gallant, trim, brave," and of Vegito, "to refresh, to re-create." Professor Mayor of England adds to these definitions: "The word vegetarian belongs to an illustrious family; vegetable, which has been called its mother, is really its niece." The word has unfortunately become intermingled with various dietetic theories, but the Vegetarian who is one because his conscience for one reason or another condemns the eating of flesh, occupies a very different place in the world of ethics from one who is simply refraining from meat eating in an effort to cure bodily ills. Indeed, the dyspeptic frequenting the usual Vegetarian restaurant has little opportunity to know much about vegetables as food, the menu being, as a rule, so crowded with various mixtures which are supposedly "meat substitutes" that vegetables pure and simple find small place. This book contains no meat substitutes, as such, but receipts for the palatable preparation of what is called by many "live foods,"--that is, food which has no blood to shed and does not, therefore, become dead before it can be eaten. There will also be found lacking from the index such dishes as "Vegetarian Hamburg Steak," "Pigeon Pie, Vegetarian style," etc., which should repel rather than attract, by bringing to mind what Bernard Shaw has graphically spoken of as "scorched carcasses." It has been proven by myself and my household that flesh eating may be safely stopped in one day with no injury to health or strength, and that a table supplied from the receipts in this book can make those whom it furnishes with food well and strong as far as food can make them so. There are many reasons why thoughtful, cleanly, humane people should not feed upon animals, but there is a surprising deafness to this fact shown by the majority of those active in humane charities. One marvels to see hundreds of consecrated workers...

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Forget everything you know about modern vegetarian cooking. 'The Golden Rule Cook Book' isn't a story in the traditional sense. Instead, it's the story of a kitchen revolution, told through 600 recipes published in 1910. Author Maud Sharpe provides a complete guide to meatless living, from breakfast porridges and hearty soups to main dishes like 'Nut and Rice Roast' and elaborate vegetable entrées. This was written for home cooks managing kitchens without our modern conveniences, offering practical, sometimes inventive, ways to feed a family without meat.

Why You Should Read It

Reading this book feels like having a conversation with a clever, determined great-grandmother. Sharpe's voice is practical and firm, rooted in her beliefs. You get a real sense of the challenges she faced—making meals satisfying and nutritious when 'plant-based' wasn't a grocery aisle. The recipes are a fascinating mix of the familiar (creamed spinach) and the historical (many gelatin-based salads). It's less about following every recipe today and more about appreciating the ingenuity. It shows that the desire for mindful eating isn't a new fad, but a choice with deep roots.

Final Verdict

This book is a gem for food history nerds, curious vegetarians, and anyone who loves old cookbooks. It's perfect for someone who enjoys seeing how daily life has changed, or for a cook looking for a unique historical project. It's not a sleek, modern cookbook, but that's the point. It's a heartfelt, practical guide from a pioneer, and that makes it a truly special read.



⚖️ Copyright Status

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Richard Williams
3 months ago

Having read this twice, the author clearly understands the subject matter in depth. I finished this feeling genuinely satisfied.

Jennifer Gonzalez
2 months ago

Simply put, the author anticipates common questions and addresses them well. An unexpectedly enjoyable experience.

Thomas Nguyen
3 months ago

This is one of those books where the depth of coverage exceeded my expectations. It is definitely a 5-star read from me.

Kenneth Ramirez
2 months ago

It took me a while to start, but the technical accuracy of the content is spot on. Don't hesitate to download this.

4.5
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