1931 Meatless Meals by Jean Prescott Adams—Vintage Cookbook by a Food Editor

1931 Meatless Meals by Jean Prescott Adams — Vintage Vegetarian Cookbook by a Trailblazing Food Editor

A Selection Exploring Food for Thought & the Plilosophy of  Defiant Women

I’ll admit it — I’ve been a strict vegetarian for 17 years and a half-hearted one for another 20. So when I found Meatless Meals by Jean Prescott Adams, I couldn’t help but smile. This 1931 gem predates all the modern trends — no “plant-based influencer” in sight — just a sharp, curious woman teaching America how to eat thoughtfully.

Jean Prescott Adams wasn’t just a home economist; she later became “Prudence Penny,” the legendary food editor for the Chicago Herald and Examiner. She gathered her advice from professors, doctors, and professional chefs — blending science, nutrition, and practicality in a way that still feels fresh today. Inside, you’ll find meatless menus, meal plans, and even “ice box” recipes that show how creative cooks could be long before anyone owned a food processor.

The book itself wears its history proudly. The dust jacket has tears and tape repairs, with one missing corner, but I’ve placed it in a clear archival wrapper so you can handle it without worry. The pictorial boards beneath have faded, though the crisp black line work still stands out. Inside, you’ll find black-and-white illustrations at the start of each chapter — charming reminders that cooking was once treated as both art and science.

I consider Meatless Meals as Food for Thought because it asks us to think about what nourishes us — body, mind, and conscience. Written by a Defiant Woman because Jean Prescott Adams carved out authority in a field dominated by men, proving that intellect and practicality could share a kitchen.

Whether you’re a collector, a cook, or just someone who loves stories of clever women ahead of their time, this book will feed your curiosity — and maybe even your next meal.