Koock-boeck oft Familieren kevken-boeck : leerende hoe datmen alderhande vleesch, vogelen, ...

home, if there is not something good ready, if the kitchen is not looked after as it should be, it is all lost labor, they become irritable, angry, they speak sharply. Why do you wish to prevent this, do you want to provide for this, read this little book through well, make use of it, you people will without doubt find something that will appeal to you: I do not wish that everyone shall use everything that is in here, only what seems good to them: one likes sweet and the other sour, one likes little sausages, the other little sauces, in sum, one says, what the wife likes, that the husband eats all day: take your convenience, one is served here for their money, and do not doubt whether you will find my little kitchen tricks good. It seems to me that I see standing here a disheveled and dirty kitchen-maid grumbling: "What is one to accomplish with this manner of cooking? There is nothing as it should be, here is too much, there too little, in place of oil this must be butter, the cheese makes all things slimy, our master does not eat pepper, he has too hot a temper: for this tart too much food is ordered, our pan is not that big, I have eaten better sausages these days at Sijnkens a local tavern or house reference than those that are in here," and many such things. In the first place, I say flatly, that I do not want to have anything to do with kitchen-maids, they smell too much to me of the frying pan, and also they are so blunt, that one can hardly put it into them, and do not ponder that this manner of writing only serves as a

ordinance or general rule to learn to cook, and that one may add to or take away from each one according to one's liking. If it is too sour for you, make it sweeter: if you do not like that cheese, take another, leave it out: do you prefer sweet spice to hot, I am also satisfied with that: is your little pan small, furnish it with small equipment. I must write according to full plenty, as I would gladly justify it, you people may add or subtract according to your own judgment. This I write according to my taste, you cook it according to yours: is your kettle not so big, that all this food can go in together, take only half as much: is it that the first tart does not rise well, make it again the next day, it will without doubt succeed better: one learns by doing. I have many times baked my little tarts or turnovers with cheese added, and all its requirements, and served them to some gentlewomen, and they have enjoyed them well, said that they were very good, and asked me that I would want to say how they were made: when they heard of cheese, it seemed that some wanted to spit: others said that it was very good, so that I wish to say, that it all lies in a strong grasp, sensibility or apprehension of the people. Also the proverb says, that one must not dispute about tastes.