Recipes
A recipe was often referred to as a receipt in the 18th century.
Mattie's Fruitcake
Below is a receipt colonial housekeeper, Mistress Mattie DeNune would like to recommend to you.
4 lbs. flour
4 lbs. butter
2 lbs. sugar
30 eggs
the usual fruits, nuts, spices and brandy
Mattie always says "It is never too early to start making fruitcake for the holidays, as it has an extremely long shelf-life."
Oyster Shooters
Preparation: Take a freshly shucked oyster and put into a small glass (3 to 4 ounces) then top with tangy cocktail sauce. Take a second small glass and fill with 3 ounces of beer. Repeat this process for the number of "shooters" needed.
Consumption: Tip the glass with the oyster and sauce into your mouth as if you were drinking. Let the oyster slide right down. Follow immediately with the 3 ounce beer chaser.
Maryland Raspberry Shrub
From Maryland’s Way: The Hammond-Harwood House Cookbook
Miss Sarah Berry’s receipt
Take 1 quart of vinegar and pour over 2 quarts of mashed raspberries. Let it stand for 24 hours then strain and pour over 2 quarts more mash raspberries. Strain this after 24 hours. Measure 1 pound of sugar to each pint of juice and boil 20 minutes, then bottle.
To serve, fill tall glasses with crushed ice, pour in equal amounts of Shrub and soda water (or sparkling wine or champagne if desired). Blackberries or strawberries may also be used to make Shrub.
The word shrub has its origin in the mid 1700s and is derived from the same words as sherbet, the Arabic word šurb, meaning a drink, and šariba, meaning to drink.
Look for new recipes here every new season in order to keep ahead in house keeping duties.