Jeanne Jardine


Jeanne Jardine was a British domestic writer and columnist who specialised in food and household management. She contributed regular columns to The Ladies' Field and Woman, and wrote chapters for books on home life and gardening. Jardine is best known for her 1910 vegetarian cookbook, The Best Vegetarian Dishes I Know, noted for its clear instructions and practical approach.

Career

In 1898, Jardine contributed a chapter to The Lady at Home and Abroad on "The Responsibilities of a Mother". She was a regular contributor to The Ladies' Field, from 1898 to 1914. She also authored its weekly column "Menage and Means". Additionally, she authored a regular column for Woman, titled "Chats with Young Housewives". In 1909, Jardine contributed a chapter on cooking vegetables to the book The English Vegetable Garden: Written by Experts.

''The Best Vegetarian Dishes I Know''

In 1910, Jardine published The Best Vegetarian Dishes I Know, containing 107 vegetarian recipes. In the foreword, she stated:
It is frequently asserted that a vegetarian diet is more costly than a meat diet, but those who adopt it will find that the extra cost of butter, milk, and eggs in a month will compare favourably with the butcher's bill for the same period.

A review in The Guardian praised the book for its clear instructions and practicality. It noted that readers could quickly become self-sufficient cooks and noted the book's attention to detail, such as an omelette technique often omitted in other guides. The Independent called it "helpful to the perplexed cook or housewife who must arrange hot-weather menus." The Guardian Journal described it as a practical cookbook for vegetarians who exclude fish. It noted the book's focus on creative dishes using ingredients like beans and peas, which, according to the review, deserved more attention in British cuisine.

Publications

Books

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Chapters

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Columns

  • "Menage and Means". The Ladies' Field. 1898–1914.
  • "Chats with Young Housewives", Woman.