by Michael Smith (Veshengro)
THE AUSTERITY COOKBOOK
by Bridget Ardley
First published by Latimer New Dimensions in 1975
Published in paperback by Arrow Books Ltd., an imprint of the Hutchinson Publishing Group, in 1977. Then priced £1.75
192 pages
This cookbook is certainly not a new one. It has been around for many years and the recipes are older still. However, it is a very timely book to mention in this current situation and also as regards to using leftovers, for instance.
In the current climate of an economic downturn, despite the fact that some agencies are trying to con us into believing it is all over and we can go back to normal, as well as in general, this book should be much more used.
Whether this book is still in print is difficult to ascertain and it would appear that the last reprint may have been in 1986. However, in today's times where we are being told to reuse our leftovers and to learn to, once again, make use of those cuts of meats that are often wasted because no one – presently – wants them, this book should certainly be reprinted as soon as possible.
If you can find this book in any kind of secondhand bookshop or the book section of a Charity Shop – that's where my copy came from – then grab it, and do so fast, for it might be going fast otherwise.
The Austerity Cookbook is definitely one of those reference books for the kitchen that the green cook and the one trying to make something with little should not be without.
© 2009
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