a treasure from the past

As a young girl my Grandmother went to a Haushalteschule (which roughly translates: household school) in Hesselberg, Germany, where she learned all about cooking and running a good household. After falling in love and marrying my grandad, they moved to South Africa.

She woke up at 5am everyday, got dressed (wearing stockings every day), every hair in its place, apron on and straight into the kitchen. Cooking and backing was her life. She loved cooking jams, pickling and baking and dessert was served everyday, even if it was something as simple as macerated berries with a dash of milk or grated apple with chocolate pieces.

She was simply a proper lady!

One of the books my mom inherited from my gran was a booked called 'Koch mit mir' (Cook with me).

This cook book was first published in Germany in the1950's, post World War 2 and teaches everything from everyday cooking to cooking for the festive seasons. We believe this book was given to her at the Haushalteschule.

The first few chapters demonstrate a technical introduction to cooking - everything from how to cook an egg, shopping tips, etiquette, cooking and baking terminologies to knowledge and understanding of kitchen equipment.

Some examples are:

Which soap is best to use to remove grease and food stains (like beetroot stains) from hands and

Tips on the perfect pantry layout and other tips e.g. keeping insects out of the pantry...

Basically it is a guide for everything a good housewife from that era should know.

A guide to be the perfect 1950's housewife one might say.

It is honestly one of the most fascinating books I have ever read!

Over the next few weeks I will be sharing and writing about the different chapters, fascinating tips and trying some of the recipes. I am so excited about this!!

Lots of love...