A LAUNCESTON COOKERY BOOK FROM 1936

JEAN NELSON'S COOKERY BOOK

I'm diverging a bit...but this post is Launceston-related and of historic interest so......I'm going to introduce to Jean Nelson's cook book, published by the Examiner newspaper in Launceston in 1936, and still used today by this Launceston resident over 80 years later.

Jean Nelson was the real or assumed name of the leading light of the Examiner's women's supplement in the 1930s, but the book was actually compiled and edited by Miss Ruth Wing “formerly Domestic Science Mistress of the Launceston State High School, and the recipes were contributed by the newspaper's readers.

Some of the recipes are still very useful today – a special thankyou to Mrs. G Reid of David Street, East Launceston for the Currant Jam recipe we've been enjoying for the last couple fo years. Others have stood the test of time less successfully. I do eye off the occasional wattlebird that breaks a branch of the young fruit trees in the back paddock, but haven't been moved to eat them yet, however I do allow myself a little evil smile, when I remember there's a recipe from Mrs Bates of Liffey on page 19, should I change my mind.

Other recipes are very much a product of the grim economic times that prevailed in Tasmania during the 1930s. The meat section is full of rabbit recipes (my parents, as children of the depression cannot understand why we don't solve our rabbit issues by using some of them). Other cuts of meat not favoured today also feature – a way to prepare three sheep heads, brain pie, liver shape and tripe custard, are just some of the temptations.....or not.

The recipe book sold for one shilling, with 3d of each copy, being donated to Tasmanian public hospitals. Advertising also featured throughout the book - the competition between gas and electric cooking stoves was obvious, although a “natural fuel” (wood/coa)l stove could still be had from the Pheonix Foundry in Wellington Street. Some of the claims were a little worrying, for instance “Only with gas can you leave the oven absolutely alone whilst you go out shopping” The only male portayed in the ads as cooking was Franz the French chef, who was delighted to discover Robur tea when he moved to Australia, and found it a more than adequate substitute for wine with his meals!!

I could go on..............its a wonderful little book.  My daughter bought it at a market, thinking I might like it and she was right!!