View Full Version : Recipe plagiarism?


Saff
17-11-2008, 18:19
I've just been looking at a really old recipe book for a potato dauphinois recipe.

It said the following quotes (selected):
"ANd itf it seem to the thrifty minded extravagant to use half a pint of cream to one pound of potatoes, I can only say that to me it seems a more satisfactory way of enjoying cream than pouring it over tinned peaches or chocolate mousse."

"Peel 1lb of yellow potatoes, and slice them in even rounds no thicker than a penny; this operation is very easy with the aid of the mandoline. Rinse them thoroughly in cold water- this is most important- then shake them dry in a cloth."

From French Provincial Cooking, Elizabeth David 1960

I then looked for another online and found a Delia one which contains these quotes:
"I know it does seem extravagant to use 5 fl oz (150 ml) cream for 1 lb (450 g) potatoes, but I would forego a pudding with cream once in a while in order to justify it."

"First, peel the potatoes and slice them very, very thinly (a wooden mandolin is excellent for this operation, if you have one), then plunge the potato slices into a bowl of cold water and swill them round and round to get rid of some of the starch. Now dry them very thoroughly in a clean tea cloth."

Is it just a coincidence? I was a bit:o

In case you a wondering, yes I am very pedantic!
OK I'm going to go and have a try anyway.

beansforyou
18-11-2008, 07:45
Well they say there is no such thing as a new idea anymore, just peoples 'takes' on old ones.

If you think, day to day, the things you say, alot of those you will have picked up along with way, without even realising it.

Saff
18-11-2008, 11:08
Well they say there is no such thing as a new idea anymore, just peoples 'takes' on old ones.

If you think, day to day, the things you say, alot of those you will have picked up along with way, without even realising it.


yes I think you're right. It was just a surprise because it looked like any old cookery book to me and then found the match with Delia. But when I showed my husband he said the old one was actually a classic so yes probably just one of thosewritten in a way that sticks and then comes back, as you say without realising it.

joeyredeye
29-11-2008, 22:03
clearly a rip off by Delia. Elizabeth David is the biz. Delia has to get her stuff from somewhere doesn't she.....?