The Modern Family Cookbook

Front cover of The Modern Family CookbookModern Family Cookbook
The Modern Family Cook Book by Meta Given, 1942, 1953, 1958, 1961, 1968

“For daily use in the American Home include Menus for one week in every month of the year and a simple recipe for every cooked food listed in the menus. All menus are planned to measure up to the U.S. Government’s basic seven food groups.”

See A Year of Retro Menus. They are thrifty! Seasonal! Interesting.

5 Comments (+add yours?)

  1. Jan
    Jul 29, 2006 @ 17:43:59

    I have “The Modern family CookBook” By Meta Given under the 3rd printing from 1943. The first two printings January 1942, 11,000copies, 2nd printing October, 1942, 25,000copies, and the 3rd printing January 1943, 25,000 copies. Thanks!

  2. Johnetta Ashley
    Dec 06, 2006 @ 15:30:34

    I live in Houston, Texas. Where can I purchase a copy of the book? Thanks.

  3. retrofood
    Dec 08, 2006 @ 16:28:23

    You can sometimes find them on Alibris or eBay. It has been out of print for a long, long time.

  4. Carol Anne
    Jan 29, 2007 @ 14:22:59

    I grew up with my mom’s Meta Givens Encyclopedia of Cooking, I still use them !!
    I then bought my daughter a set when she got married, thru Kitchen Arts & Letters, in New York City.
    The recipes are timeless !

  5. retrofood
    Jan 30, 2007 @ 19:02:49

    I have the Encyclopedias too! They are a fabulous reference source for all nature of things. I find them really approachable, more than some versions of Joy of Cooking. (though I am a die-hard Joy of Cooking gift giver)