The Marvellous Mrs Beeton

We often find ourselves inspired by an image of a delicious meal we see in a magazine or on a website and then are instantly disappointed when we see the complexity of the recipe, the time-consuming process, and the many ingredients needed. Making a meal from scratch is not always possible and the original domestic pioneer, Mrs Beeton’s success lay in her simple, common-sense approach to life – regular meals, less waste, and the importance of a good night’s sleep!

Isabella Beeton and her Book Of Household Management made her an icon of the Victorian age. The cookbook, first published in 1861, was also a how-to manual, described by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle as having “more wisdom per square inch than any book ever written by a man”. She was a lively, progressive spirit and in her time, she was bold, strong-willed, and a tireless advocate for women everywhere.

What made Mrs Beeton so popular was her unashamed claims that not only did she have no time to cook, she really didn’t enjoy it when she did. Homemade doesn’t have to mean ‘made at home by you’ and at Parsley Box, we like to think that Mrs Beeton would approve of our delicious, homestyle, convenient meals!