Release date is 2026-01-19

Richard Tonsing and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive)

The progress meatless cook book by Carlotta M. Lake is a household cookbook and domestic guide written in the early 20th century. It promotes practical, economical, meatless cookery alongside efficient housekeeping, offering straightforward recipes, time-saving routines, and commonsense advice to minimize drudgery. Aimed at young or overworked housekeepers, it favors simple methods, minimal waste, and well-organized kitchens over elaborate fare.

The opening of this manual sets a philosophy of “the simple life,” urging good management, regular routines, and no waste, then moves straight into practical housekeeping: morning schedules, fast cleaning methods, and how to organize sinks, floors, tables, and stove areas for efficiency. It details essential tools and utensils, standardized weights and measures, and baseline rules (sift flour, keep measurements level, soften—not melt—butter), followed by yeast guidance (including “everlasting” and dry yeast) and clear bread-making helps. From there it provides core meatless staples: whole-wheat, white, rye, graham, and brown breads; biscuits, rolls, gems, muffins, and griddle cakes; cereals and toasts; varied egg and cheese dishes; sandwich ideas; and vegetable-based soups (with nut stock). It then surveys vegetables one by one with plain cooking methods, introduces nut-based proteins (nut roasts, scrapple, peanut butter), simple gravies, relishes and sauces, and an array of salad combinations and dressings—presented as reliable, no-fuss instructions to start a meatless kitchen. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Originally published: Los Angeles: The New Literature Publishing Co., 1911