Southern Plantation Cooking

Children's Literature

This useful supplement to the social studies curriculum discusses everyday family and farm life for both the Big House and the slave quarters, the cooking methods and food preparation techniques used on southern plantations prior to the Civil War. Text, maps, drawings, and photographs illuminate the era. But the real advantage of the book is the eight recipes for typical southern foods presented in easy-to-follow directions, with modern ingredients and practices for cooking in a full-scale kitchen. Measurements are given in English and metric systems. Some recipes include buttermilk biscuits, fried chicken, country ham with red-eye gravy, and sweet potato pie. A glossary is followed by five good sources for learning more, places to write and visit, Internet sites, plus an index. All in all, a fine addition to augment curriculum or introduce children to the era. Part of the "Exploring History through Simple Recipes" series. 2000, Blue Earth Books/Capstone Press, $22.60. Ages 8 to 12. Reviewer: Susan Hepler