Not bad for a book published in 1948 by a gentleman who besides being a gastronome was also a scientist at Institut Pasteur, facts I learned from the Guardian.
The Guardian has been giving sneak previews of the 50 best cookbooks of all times as chosen by the Observer Food Monthly (OFM) panel and to be published on Sunday, August 15, 2010.
On August 10 they showcased Cooking in Ten Minutes by Edouard de Pomiane listed at Number 41 in the Top 50.
I went too fast in my first sentence stating that the book was published in 1948, it was the year of the first English language edition. OFM actually notes that it was "first published in Paris as "La Cuisine en Dix Minutes ou l'Adaptation au Rythme Moderne" by Editions Paul Martial in 1939, current English language edition published by Serif".
The American Edition titled French Cooking in 10 Minutes is published by North Point Press (Macmillan).
Muddying the facts, US publisher's notes describe Mr. De Pomiane as a dietician and date the original edition as from 1930.
The book notes by Serif (UK edition) are a bit more detailed.
The book they note include 300 recipes that "can all be prepared in ten minutes – and in a saucepan or frying pan rather than a microwave. Ultra-rapid soups, instantaneous sauces, split-second egg dishes and quick-fire desserts all feature here, together with vegetable, fish and meat recipes susceptible to Pomiane's unique approach to cooking. As fast – and as witty – as classic Hollywood comedy."
Amongst the Recipes they Share, let me mention Tomatoes à la Polonaise and Oysters and Sausages, fast homemade food.