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American Cookery: The First Cookbook Born from the Spirit and Flavors of America
Amelia Simmons was an American cook and author credited with writing American Cookery (1796), the first known cookbook authored by an American and published in the United States. Little is known about Simmons's personal life, but she describes herself in the preface as an "orphan" and aims her work specifically at the domestic needs of American households. Her groundbreaking book reflects the practical realities, ingredients, and tastes of the new republic, marking a significant cultural departure from European culinary traditions. Simmons's contribution to American domestic life has been widely recognized as foundational to the development of a distinct national cuisine.
American Cookery is a landmark in culinary history, offering recipes that make pioneering use of indigenous ingredients such as cornmeal, squash, and turkey. Blending English culinary roots with uniquely American innovations, Simmons's straightforward and practical instructions captured the spirit of everyday cooking in post-Revolutionary America. Beyond its recipes, the book provides valuable insight into early American food practices, household management, and social values. Enduring in its influence and historical importance, American Cookery remains a treasured artifact for culinary historians and anyone interested in the origins of American food culture.
