Vintage “Around the Clock” Cookbook and Heirloom Weights & Measures Conversion Chart
Vintage “Round-the-Clock” Cookbook
and
Heirloom Weights & Measures Conversion Chart
Vintage “Around the Clock” Cookbook and Heirloom Weights & Measures Conversion Chart
Today, Saturday the 8th February, is National Libraries Day in the UK; it rounds off a week’s worth of celebrations in schools, colleges, universities, workplaces and public libraries across the UK. For me, libraries are very important and I have watched in dismay as so many of them have been closed due to local council funding cutbacks – it’s nothing short of a crime that poor or elderly people have lost access to the internet, newspapers and of course the written word. To continue on a non-political note, I am pleased to see that the British public still hold their libraries in high esteem and there are many communities that are manning their libraries on a voluntary basis now, not the ideal solution as people do need a vocation and an income, but much better than closure. You can get involved if you want, by visiting the National Libraries Day website, where there is a free-to-join gathering of people who believe in the importance of libraries. Whether a seasoned campaigner or an occasional borrower, they hope you’ll find it a place to make friends and contacts, and swap ideas and experiences…….and I am happy to share that message here.
And, with books making such an important national appearance today, I have decided to share one of my much-loved vintage cookbooks, The Around the Clock Cookbook, which was published in 1935 and remains one of my favourite vintage books for old-fashioned recipes, step-by-step photos of cookery techniques and the rather fascinating advertisements of the day. I will be sharing some of the recipes from the book over the next few months, but for today, I am sharing some of the illustrations as well as a related chart of Heirloom Weights & Measures Conversions, which I hope you will all find handy – the chart was shared with me by my lovely friend Joy Morris, and a big thanks to her for bringing this chart to my attention!
Vintage “Around the Clock” Cookbook and Heirloom Weights & Measures Conversion Chart
I love the step-by-step photo tutorials of how to prepare vegetables as well as how to carve meat and poultry……I suspect that this book would have been the “Rolls Royce” of cookbooks in its day for newly married housewives! There are also helpful plates of how to “crimp” the edge of a pie and how to make a steamed pudding and line the pudding basin.
Vintage “Around the Clock” Cookbook and Heirloom Weights & Measures Conversion Chart
As well as the chart that I will share with you at the end of the post, the book also has a handy Household Guide to Weights and Measures, which is below……
Vintage “Around the Clock” Cookbook and Heirloom Weights & Measures Conversion Chart
I cannot wait to share some of the cakes and bakes I have made from this book, they will be coming soon! But for now, I will leave you with some of the illustrations from the book and the Heirloom Weights & Measures Conversion Chart – enjoy the day and if you have time, take a trip to your local library, or why not curl up with a good book by the fire, as the weather is so dire in the UK at present! See you later with some new recipes and a few book reviews, as well as a new giveaway, have a safe weekend wherever you are…….Karen
A Library, Some Wine Boxes and My Cook Book Collection……
NB: On a bookworm note, here is the link to a previous post of mine, and a sneak preview into some of my cookbooks!
A Library, Be-Ro, Some Wine Boxes and My Cook Book Collection……
My Be-Ro Cookbook Collection through the decades….
Vintage “Around the Clock” Cookbook and Heirloom Weights & Measures Conversion Chart
Vintage “Around the Clock” Cookbook and Heirloom Weights & Measures Conversion Chart
Vintage “Around the Clock” Cookbook and Heirloom Weights & Measures Conversion Chart
Vintage “Around the Clock” Cookbook and Heirloom Weights & Measures Conversion Chart
Vintage “Around the Clock” Cookbook and Heirloom Weights & Measures Conversion Chart
Vintage “Around the Clock” Cookbook and Heirloom Weights & Measures Conversion Chart
Heirloom Weights & Measures Conversion Chart
You might need help figuring out weights and measures in Grandma’s heirloom recipes? This chart will help you understand those cryptic measurements and instructions.
Measurements
1 wineglass……………… 1/4 cup
1 jigger …………………… 1.5 fluid ounces
1 gill ……………………….. 1/2 cup
1 teacup………………….. a scant 3/4 cup
1 coffeecup ……………… a scant cup
1 tumbler…………………. 1 cup
1 pint………………………. 2 cups
1 quart……………………..4 cups
1 peck………………………2 gallons – dry
1 pinch or dash…….what can be picked up between thumb and first two fingers; less than 1/8 teaspoon
1/2 pinch………………….what can be picked up between thumb and one finger
1 saltspoon………………1/4 teaspoon
1 kitchen spoon…………1 teaspoon
1 dessert spoon………..2 teaspoons or 1 soupspoon
1 spoonful………………..1 Tablespoon more or less
1 saucer…………………..1 heaping cup (about)
Temperatures
Very slow oven………….below 300 degrees F.
Slow oven…………………300 degrees F.
Moderately slow oven…325 degrees F.
Moderate oven…………..350 degrees F.
Moderately hot oven…..375 degrees F.
Quick oven……………375 – 400 degrees F.
Hot oven……………..400-425 degrees F.
Very hot oven………..450-475 degrees F.
Extremely hot oven…….500 degrees F. or more
Common Weights
1 penny weight…………1/20 ounce
1 drachm………………….1/8 ounce
60 drops thick fluid…….1 teaspoon
1 ounce………4-1/2 Tablespoons allspice, cinnamon, curry , paprika or dry mustard
or 4 Tablespoons cloves or prepared mustard
or 3-1/2 Tablespoons nutmeg or pepper
or 3 Tablespoons sage, cream of tartar or cornstarch
or 2 Tablespoons salt or any liquid
Butter the size of a egg…….1/4 cup or 2 ounces
Butter the size of a walnut…….1 Tablespoon
Butter the size of a hazelnut….1 teaspoon
Pies and Pastry
Julie's Family Kitchen says
A great post Karen. The best way we can keep our libraries is to use them. Unfortunately, sometimes this isn’t enough. A small library in the village nearby to me has lost it’s local authority funding and is now manned by volunteers. I recently donated some craft books to them and they were most pleased.
Karen says
Thanks so much Julie, I think that the volunteers do a wonderful job, but I also worry what will happen if we lose them, as we all need an income too…….I suppose it is the elderly and retired people that are the bulk of the volunteers now.
Lizzy (Good Things) says
I love these old treasures Karen. I can’t imagine a world without books and libraries… no kindle for me!
Karen says
No kindle for me too Lizzy! Thanks for your kind comments, I cannot wait to get home and check out your latest posts when I have access to my laptop and not my phone and unresponsive iPad!
Julie says
Ooooo – what a great cookbook! So much timeless and priceless information – looking forward to reading about the recipes you try. And I have to say that I love browsing the library stacks for cookbooks, too.
Karen says
Thanks Julie, this cookbook has been a wonderful source of recipes for me for a long time, and when I rediscovered it again recently, I have had fun making lots of the recipes from the book! Karen
Madeleine Morrow says
My local library was only saved because a wonderful group of volunteers fought the council and eventually took the library over when it was to be closed because of the cuts. Thanks for highlighting this issue.
Loved the pics from the recipe book – I love those old books, such an insight into past times.
Karen says
Thanks Madeleine, I agree, these old books show us so many old recipes and everyday values in the kitchen! Karen
Morgan @ Peaches, Please says
I love that a “breakfastcupfull” was a unit of measurement. Books are awesome, particularly old & loved books.
Karen says
Thanks Morgan! There are some lovely old measurements in the list and I do love my vintage books so much too! Karen
Tracy Nixon says
Sounds like a great book from your review! Thank you x
Karen says
Thanks Tracy, glad you enjoyed it!
Glamorous Glutton says
I lived in the library as a small child, I loved the abundance of books. We’re lucky that our library has survived, but great post bringing attention to the plight of other local libraries. Love your vintage cook book, I’ve been collecting some of the old mcdougal flour, Trex and Be-Ro books from the early 30s to 50s. I’m looking forward to seeing what you bake. GG
Karen says
Oh GG, we need to get together and compare notes on our old Be-Ro cookbooks, as I have a collection of them too! I also have some old Trex books and some WW11 Stork margarine cookbooks too……..and, l like you, I lived in libraries when I was small too, they were a source of mystery, imagination and intrigue.
Dominic says
what a lovely post… perfect for a gloomy Sunday x
Karen says
Thanks Dom Darlink!
Fiona Maclean says
I love old recipe books. pretty photos too as always Karen. Looking forward to seeing you next week
Karen says
Looking forward to seeing you too Fiona, on my home turf too, for a change! Lol!
Choclette says
As a librarian I obviously feel very strongly about the importance of libraries, so thanks for highlighting this Karen. I spent the day not in a library, but with books packing up a bookshop! Loe your vintage books and look forward to the seeing some of the cake recipes.
Karen says
Thanks Choclette, why were you packing up a bookshop? Not another closure I hope! 🙁
Emma @ Adventures of a London Kiwi says
We absolutely have to fight for our libraries – they were my sanctuary as a kid. Where else might we find gems like the ones in your post?
Karen says
Thanks Emma, yes, I agree, we must all fight for our libraries and not let the politicians take away our right to the written word…….
Tracy Nixon says
I ordered this for my mum yesterday – for Mother’s Day – she will love it! Thanks for sharing!
Karen says
So pleased you managed to find the book Tracy, I saw a few on Amazon, is that where you got yours?
Alison says
I love these old cookbooks, it’s fascinating seeing the differences in times gone by
Karen says
Me too Alison – they are a fascinating window on times past!
Bintu @ Recipes From A Pantry says
I have been very lucky that the libraries near me were kept open by the council. It was touch and go for a while. Fab looking book Karen
Karen says
You are vey lucky Bintu!
Sarah, Maison Cupcake says
A jigger? A what? Wonder where that comes from? Love the cover on at the top.
Karen says
I have heard if a jigger when I have been in American food sites Sarah, it is always used in cocktail recipes!
Louisa Foti says
Lovely post! It amazes me more people don’t use the free wonderous resource that is a public library. I go at least once a week with the kids and we’ve found some total gems of new to us books. I’ve also been borrowing quite a few cookbooks which I probably wouldn’t buy otherwise. Very touch and go whether they’d survive around here in Herefordshire but so far they thankfully have.
Karen says
Thanks Lousia, I remember taking my daughter to the library every week to choose her new books for the week, and there was always great events the for the little ones too! I hope they do survive, I rally hope so!
Rachel McGrath says
I love this post!!! I’m a proper history geek. Your Bero collection is too cute x
Karen says
Thanks Rachel, I am a real history geek too!
Jacqueline Meldrum says
It’s a great day to celebrate Karen. Where would the world be without libraries?
Karen says
I would be lost without a local and travelling library Jac!
Ren Behan says
A fantastic day to highlight and the conversion chart is a very handy resource!
Karen says
Thanks Ren, I was fascinated with the chart as soon as I saw it!
Janie says
I love, love love vintage cookbooks! I have, a lot 🙂
I tend to go for ones from the early 70’s which are all very frugal and full of great food, household & kitchey tips.
Janie x
Karen says
Me too Janie, all vintage cookbooks are wonderful, from all ages, but I do find my mum’s old books from the 60’s and 70’s are just fascinating!
Heidi Roberts says
Those old cookbooks could teach some of the modern ones a thing or two. I love the illustrations!
Karen says
Thanks Heidi, the illustrations are just wonderful aren’t they?
Sylvia says
I love vintage stuff! I always find something at my Mum house as she’s a real vintage freak 😉
Tina @ The Spicy Pear says
What a gorgeous looking book Karen. As a child I was often found leafing through books in my local library and even briefly helped out as an assistant in my school library as an extra curricular activity. It would be really sad if libraries closed down, they provide a fountain of useful information for everyone.