A practical guide aimed at young ladies and inexperienced cooks that stresses scrupulous cleanliness and the importance of a good stock as the foundation of successful cooking. It offers tested, economical, step-by-step recipes and techniques for soups (including purées, curry and mock-turtle styles), fish, entrées, sauces, joints and roasts, puddings, cakes, pastries, vegetables and icings, plus housekeeping tips such as pan care and rice preparation. Directions are written for ordinary household kitchens and seek to make more refined cookery accessible through clear procedures and economical substitutions.