What Mrs. Fisher Knows About Southern Cooking (Abby Fisher)

Paperback Reprint of the 1881 Edition

What Mrs. Fisher Knows About Old Southern Cooking is a landmark cookbook first published in 1881 by Abby Fisher, one of the earliest known African American authors of a published cookbook. Fisher, who was born into slavery and later became a successful caterer in San Francisco, compiled her recipes based on the culinary traditions of the American South, particularly those of her native South Carolina.

The book features over 160 recipes, including Southern classics like gumbo, fried chicken, sweet potato pie, and preserves, offering a rare and authentic glimpse into 19th-century African American and Southern cuisine. Unlike many cookbooks of its time, Fisher's work is notable for its practical, straightforward instructions, making it accessible to home cooks.

Beyond its recipes, What Mrs. Fisher Knows About Old Southern Cooking serves as a historical document, preserving the culinary expertise of a formerly enslaved woman and highlighting the enduring influence of Black cooks in shaping Southern food traditions.

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