MCCALL'S COOKING SCHOOL COOKBOOK SERIES

The McCall's Cooking School Step-by-Step Directions for Mistake-Proof Recipes is a 3-Volume Binder set that was originally a subscription series back in the late 1970s and early 1980s.

Each month subscription recipients would receive two or three shrink wrapped recipe card pages that would then be inserted into their appropriate place in the binder.  At the end of the subscription, you would have a complete set.

Although this series is now out of print, it is still a highly sought after set for those who originally cooked with the recipes or who might remember their mother cooking with them.  This is because the recipes are very good and easy to implement using their directions.

What Does the 3-Volume McCall's Cooking School Series Consist of?

There are several editions of the three volume McCall's Cooking School set.   Copyright years will generally range from 1983 to 1986.  A later edition was published with a different cover.  There are approximately 576 Recipages in the set.

The series includes 18 sections, two of which are the Table of Contents and the Index.  The other 16 sections consist of basic recipe categories.  Each vinyl covered binder contains 1/3 of the series.  There are tabbed category dividers that precede each section of recipes.

Each page contains a recipe which is printed, in color, on a pre-punched heavy glossy page whose weight is slightly less than that of cardstock.  The front of the page contains a full color photo of the finished recipe along with a brief description.  The rear side of the page contains a series of step-by-step photographs along with instructions underneath each photo.  The ingredient list is located at the bottom of this page.

In the top right corner of each page is the name of the recipe category along with a sequential number (Appetizers 2, Appetizers 3, etc. ).  These function as the page numbers.

Each monthly recipe set also included an issue of McCall's Cookery.  Each issue was sent as a supplement to the monthly Recipages.  It was not a particularly necessary part of the set so it's not a big deal if it's missing.  To find out more about McCall's Cookery, go here.

Here are the contents of the McCall's Cooking School 3-Volume series:

1 - Contents - 1 page
2 - Appetizers - 17 recipe pages
3 - Breads - 49 recipe pages
4 - Cakes, Cookies - 51 recipe pages
5 - Chicken, Poultry - 49 recipe pages
6 - Desserts - 52 recipe pages
7 - Eggs, Cheese - 22 Recipe Pages
8 - Fish, Seafood - 48 recipe pages
9 - Holiday Delights - 21 recipe pages
10 - Main Dishes - 36 recipe pages
11 - Meat - 57 recipe pages
12 - Pasta, Rice - 19 recipe pages
13 - Pies, Pastry - 48 recipe pages
14 - Salads - 25 recipe pages
15 - Sauces - 10 recipe pages
16 - Soups - 24 recipe pages
17 - Vegetables - 48 recipe pages
18 - Index - 6 pages (12 if you count front and backs)

A Recipe Index for each volume can be found at the following links:

McCall's Cooking School - Volume 1

McCall's Cooking School - Volume 2

McCall's Cooking School - Volume 3

Where to Buy the McCall's Cooking School 3-Volume Set

Because the set is out of print, one will most likely have to buy it used if they are searching for a new copy, or for replacement pages for their existing copies.

The widest selection of used copies can be found here.  Please be aware that the sets offered may range from complete sets to incomplete sets, and in a wide range of conditions.  Please make sure to read the descriptions carefully and to ask questions of the seller if one is unsure about exactly what is included.  A good seller is happy to answer any questions. 

Use the Contents list and the links for the recipe index above to make sure you are getting what you're looking for.

REPLACEMENT PAGES

Missing one individual page from your set or just want to replace a few pages?  It is also possible to find and purchase McCall's Cooking School replacement Recipages.

Go to the Cookbook Lists Main Page