The Complete Indian Housekeeper and Cook

ISBN-13: 9780199605767 / Angielski / Miękka / 2011 / 400 str.

Flora Annie Steel

Opis

Brisk, capable, humorous, highly opinionated, and frequently ironic, The Complete Indian Housekeeper and Cook opens a fascinating window on the day-to-day life of the British in India in the late nineteenth century. Steel and Gardiner's mission to uphold Victorian standards in Indian kitchens has illuminating parallels with the running of the British Empire, and their domestic guide reveals as much about British attitudes to India as any history book on the Raj. In this treasure trove of household advice for young British memsahibs, they explain how to "make a hold" over servants, establish and stock a storeroom, plan a menu, manage young children, treat bites from "mad, or even doubtful dogs," and teach an Indian cook how to make fish quenelles. Whether living in camps or the jungle, on the hills or in the plains, no British woman would be at a loss with The Complete Indian Housekeeper and Cook by her side. For this new edition, the editors provide a lively Introduction and notes that offer an invaluable guide to the manual.

Recenzje

'fascinating, immensely detailed...a priceless insight into the mindset and even the character of those women out there,imposing their will and their ways amid the "alien corn" surrounding them.'

O autorze

Both authors were married to members of the Indian Civil Service and lived and travelled in India with their families for more than two decades. The senior partner, Flora Annie Steel took a strong interest in Indian life, learned to speak, read, and write Punjabi and committed to improving the lives of the local native women. She helped to establish schools and served on the Provincial Education Board. She also wrote stories for children and novels including her best-known novel on the Indian Mutiny, On the Face of the Waters.