New Cyclopaedia of Domestic Economy

Part of the New York literary scene, Elizabeth Fries Ellet was, in her early years as a writer, better known for her historical writings which, unique for the time, tended to concentrate on the ordinary lives of women, rather than more well-known political figures. At the height of her career, Ellet turned her attention to this work of domestic economy, publishing in 1872 The New Cyclopaedia of Domestic Economy. In this work, Ellet provides an American spin on European cooking and domestic practices, with sections on "Laying Out Tables and Folding Napkins," "Culinary Utensils," and "Cookery as an Art." Containing practical advice as well as recipes, Ellet claimed to have published, for the first time, several recipes from such famous New York restaurants as Delmonico's and Taylor's.