Recipes

Cooking recipes have a long and varied history that reflects the cultural, economic, and social changes of the societies that created them. The earliest known written recipes date back to ancient civilizations in Mesopotamia, Egypt, and Greece, but it is likely that recipes were transmitted orally for many centuries before that.

As civilizations developed and trade routes opened up, new ingredients and cooking techniques were introduced, and recipes were adapted to incorporate these new influences. During the Middle Ages, cookbooks began to be written in Europe, often by professional cooks or monks. These early cookbooks were often quite elaborate, with recipes for dishes that were intended for banquets and feasts.

In the modern era, cookbooks and recipes have been influenced by a wide variety of factors, including advances in technology (such as the invention of the microwave oven), the availability of new ingredients, and the rise of various culinary movements (such as the Slow Food movement). Today, there are countless cookbooks and online resources available, featuring recipes from every corner of the globe and for every level of culinary expertise. Browse all the recipes by Food & Nutrition here, select a category from the menu on the right or search for an ingredient.