As one of the original instructors at the Boston Cooking School, Maria Parloa inspired a generation of chefs with her scientific method of cooking. Her recipes reflect an interest in the chemistry of food. Instruction in the sciences was a key part of her curriculum. Originally published in 1880, The Appledore Cook Book aimed to provide a practical cookbook for "young housekeepers" with author-tested recipes that use easier methods and less expensive ingredients than those in other books.