The Story of Crisco

 By Bruce Shawkey


Found this interesting book on the Internet archive. It's a 240-age book on the joys of Crisco shortening. Crisco is an American brand of shortening that is produced by B&G Foods. Introduced in June 1911 by Procter & Gamble, it was the first shortening to be made entirely of vegetable oil.

Here is part of the introduction: 

The Story of Crisco

 culinary world is revising its entire cookbook on account of the advent of Crisco, a new and altogether different cooking fat. Many wonder that any product could gain the favor of cooking experts so quickly. A few months after the first package was marketed, practically every grocer of the better class in the United States was supplying women with the new product.

This was largely because four classes of people: housewives chefs, doctors, and  dietitians were glad to be shown a product which at once would make for more digestible foods, more economical foods, and better tasting foods.

Cooking and History

Cooking methods have undergone amarked change during the past few years. The nation's food is becoming more and more wholesome as a result of different discoveries, new sources of supply, and the weighing of intelligent values. Domestic Science is better understood and more appreciated. People of the present century are fairer to their stomachs, realizing that their health largely depends upon this faithful and long-suffering servant. Digestion and disposition sound much the same, but a good disposition often is wrecked by a poor digestion. America has been termed a country of dyspeptics. It is being changed to a land of healthy eaters, consequently happier individuals. Every agent responsible for this national digestive improvement must be gratefully recognized.

The book goes on to supply 615 recipes for meals planned around Crisco. Here are a few examples:











































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