The Workhouse Cookbook

"Complete history of food and of cooking in the workhouse in England, Ireland and Scotland... Containing a complete facsimile of the 1901 Manual of Workhouse Cookery, the recipe book that every workhouse chef turned to when making gruel, this book will fascinate chefs and historians alike. Richly illustrated with more than 100 photographs, it covers all aspects of life and food in the workhouse, including infamous scandals, full details of the diets in the prison and medical wings, the special meals available for young children and life in the Scottish and Irish equivalents. With sections on how to brew the perfect workhouse cup of tea - suggested brewing time, thirty minutes - and the menu for a typical workhouse Christmas dinner, this is a unique, shocking, evocative exploration of food in a system that has now gone for good." -- Publisher description.