Practical Cooking and Dinner Giving A Treatise Containing Practical Instructions in Cooking; in the Combination and Serving of Dishes; and in the Fashionable Modes of Entertaining at Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

"Practical Cooking and Dinner Giving" by Mary F. Henderson is a comprehensive treatise on culinary practices and etiquette written in the late 19th century. The book serves as a guide for home cooks, providing practical instructions on cooking, combining and serving dishes, and entertaining guests at meals such as breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Readers can expect not only a variety of recipes but also detailed advice on how to host dinners elegantly and efficiently. The opening of the work establishes the author’s intent to offer a practical resource for those seeking to improve their cooking and hosting skills. Henderson discusses the debate between the English and Russian methods of serving dinner, ultimately suggesting a compromise that combines elements of both styles. She emphasizes the importance of meal presentation, including table setting and serving efficiency, thus setting the tone for a manual that seeks to elevate the art of home cooking and hospitality. Through her structured approach and detailed content, the beginning segments of the book promise a wealth of knowledge for anyone interested in enhancing their culinary repertoire and entertaining skills. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Mary Foote Henderson was an American author, real estate developer, and social activist from the U.S. state of New York who was known as "The Empress of Sixteenth Street". Henderson was a notable supporter of women's suffrage, temperance and vegetarianism.