McCall’s Cook Book

My very first cookbook as a young bride-to-be was McCall’s Cook Book.

Prior to my marriage in 1969, I was given two showers by family friends.  These two gatherings helped feather my first nest.  I was fortunate in receiving a variety of things with few duplicates; not 20 toasters or 9 electric blenders.  Most were put to use in my first home.  Many I still have to this day.  Surprisingly, only one cookbook was received. I would have welcomed more.  I had been collecting recipes and cooking since I was nine years old.  This one lonely cookbook was a great pick; McCall’s Cook Book by the Food Editors of McCall’s. 

786 pages were devoted to recipes and instruction.

Also, tables and charts; photographs and instructional line drawings.  This is the book that got me on a good track in that tiny apartment kitchen on Cole Street in Dallas, Texas.

The first chapter of McCall’s Cook Book is chock full of all the basic and very necessary information all cooks need to know. 

Things like weights and measures or how to tackle a recipe are well covered.  Cooking temperatures and cooking terminology are defined and explained, also.  By the time you’ve finished this section, you’ll know how to coat, cut, coddle and devil your way to a tasty meal.

Common food can sizes are also discussed in this chapter, as well as basic cooking utensils. 

Carving meats is explained with helpful illustrations and concise text.  A brief illustrated lesson in creating vegetable garnishes rounds out this chapter.  By chapter’s end, you will know your way around the kitchen, even if you just stepped into it for the first time.

Chapters of McCall’s Cook Book are organized in the usual way starting with appetizers.

37 categories of food are punctuated by a long list of different aspects of meal preparation.  Also, are chapters on freezing, meal planning, nutrition and outdoor cooking.

The chapter on yeast breads had the necessary information and instruction to get me started baking warm, fragrant loaves of bread and light, fluffy dinner rolls. 

The recipe for those Refrigerator Rolls, page 103 is still the one I turn to for hot, buttery goodness at dinner time. 

A brief chapter on entertaining has four pages of helpful tips and suggestions that a new homemaker would find of service. 

An appendix at the end of the book is loaded with information to help with marketing and substitutions.  It also includes a lengthy calorie chart.

The cake, pie and cookie recipes are standard ones that form a basis of pastry making. 

One of the things I’ve always appreciated about this assortment of recipes is the attention to economy.  Used countless times over the years is the recipe for Favorite One-Egg Cake, page 123.

The chapter devoted to International Cookery, page 656, may not seem like so much today.

In the 21st century there are countless numbers of books on various cuisines around the globe.  But, back in the Sixties, there were not as many books on the subject as today.  In that era the American cook thought an exotic meal for the family dinner might include lasagna or enchiladas.  This collection of international recipes is a good introduction to various cuisines whose instruction is suitable for the novice cook.

Present values for this cookbook are $15.99 for the eighth printing in good condition on e-Bay. 

My McCall’s Cook Book is showing all of its 50 plus years.  It is still in use today just as much as when it was the only cookbook in my kitchen.  This green hardback is not what you would consider in “good” condition.  It would not hold any market value because of a few splattered pages and broken binding at the spine.  But, it is valuable to me. 

Forget the fact McCall’s Cook Book still continues to guide me along.  Or that it holds a few old favorites. 

My international cooking skills have taken me far and away from this book.  If I must get sentimental about anything, it should be something that has taken me in hand and guided me when I most needed it.  Like a good ole horse, maybe I will put this cookbook out to pasture one day.  A newer, less dog-eared one can take its place on the kitchen counter.