The American Plate

George Washington loved ice cream so much that in the summer of 1790 he spent $200 on it alone.

This is a wonderful book on the history of food in North America.  It gives origins of many foods we still enjoy today.  For example, in 1857, Gail Borden created Eagle Brand Condensed Milk to feed babies who were getting sick on cows’ milk. It was then carried into battle by Union soldiers during the Civil War. After the war, in 1886, Dr. John Pemberton combined flavorings to create a syrup to use as a soft drink and an antidote for his morphine and opium addiction. It was called coca-cola. Along with many interesting facts the author also includes original recipes and their modern adaptations.