Автор: Amelia Simmons

Amelia Simmons is celebrated as the author of “American Cookery, ” the first known cookbook written by an American, published in 1796. Despite her seminal contribution to American culinary literature, details about Simmons”s life remain sparse, and much of her biography is shrouded in mystery. “American Cookery” distinguishes itself by being the first to introduce recipes that incorporate indigenous American ingredients, marking a departure from British culinary traditions that were prevalent in the United States during that era. She is credited with the introduction of distinctly American dishes, such as cornmeal-based recipes and the use of cranberries and turkey, which have become staples of American cuisine. Simmons”s work reflects the nation”s regional variations and lays the foundation for the unique blending of cultural influences that characterize American cooking. Her book was not merely a recipe collection but also a guide for homemakers with instructions on cooking techniques and household management, reflecting post-Revolutionary War patriotic fervor and a sense of national identity. Although Simmons”s personal history is largely undocumented, her book lives on as an invaluable artifact of American heritage, embodying a nascent culinary autonomy in a newly independent nation.