 Title Page of 1860 edition | |
| Author | Eliza Acton |
|---|---|
| Subject | English cooking |
| Genre | Cookery |
| Publisher | Longmans |
Publication date | 1847 |
| Publication place | England |
Modern Cookery for Private Families is an English cookery book by Eliza Acton. It was first published by Longmans in 1845, and was a best-seller, running through 13 editions by 1853, though its sales were later overtaken by Mrs Beeton. On the strength of the book, Delia Smith called Acton "the best writer of recipes in the English language",[1] while Elizabeth David wondered why "this peerless writer" had been eclipsed by such inferior and inexperienced imitators.[2]
It was one of the first cookery books to provide lists of ingredients, exact quantities, and cooking times, and to include Eastern recipes for chutneys.
The book was well received on its first appearance; critics thought it the best cookery book they had seen, combining as it did clarity of instructions with excellent organisation. Acton's recipes and writing style have been admired by cooks including Bee Wilson, Elizabeth David, Delia Smith and Jane Grigson; Clarissa Dickson Wright praises her writing but criticises her increasing conformity to Victorian dullness.