cover image A Gift from Mrs. Beeton: Edible Delights

A Gift from Mrs. Beeton: Edible Delights

Beeton. Ward Lock Limited., $0 (47pp) ISBN 978-0-7063-7038-6

This tiny, charmingly illustrated volume features gift suggestions and special-occasion recipes culled from that classic of British cookery, Beeton's Book of Household Management . Likely to be propped up against fancy china and special cookware in American retail stores, the book (or, more properly, booklet) is a bit of antique fluff that Anglophiles and fans (however few) of British cookery will happily acquire. Most American cooks, however, will require a culinary dictionary to decipher the ingredients. Sultanas (Thompson seedless grapes) are needed to concoct Beeton's ``Christmas squares.'' Caster sugar (superfine sugar) is the basis for the chocolate-tipped cinnamon stars, and black treacle (a molasses-like substance) is called for in a toffee. Most useful: recipes for homemade fruit liqueurs (``Bottled in September, they will be at their peak in December, ready for seasonal celebrations'') and instructions for gift-wrapping sweets and dressing up preserves. (Feb.)