In 1796, Amelia Simmons published American Cookery, the first cookbook written by an American. Published in Hartford, Connecticut, the book blended English methods with new American ingredients. Simmons, an orphan and domestic servant, introduced dishes like Indian pudding, johnnycake, and pumpkin pie. Her recipes popularized pearlash as a leavening agent and brought terms like cookie and slaw into everyday use. The cookbook symbolized America’s culinary independence and remains a cornerstone of