I always thought we were just kind of weird. You will need to raise your own chickens, dairy cow, pigs, and beef cows or trade something valuable that you have plenty of to get what you want from someone who does have it. And Im mad about it., Sometimes the impossible becomes possible #baking #vintage #cooking #1950s. Lori Rowe, Tigerton, Wisconsin. This sandwich, like the others noted here, just begs the question: why? They usually added whatever they had on hand: olive oil, hard-boiled eggs, cooked white beans, bacon bits, bacon grease, lemon juice, vinegar, salt, and pepper. Its another recipe that can probably be made from your pantry on any given day. Leftovers go to work for lunch or are eaten for lunch at home. Usually Clara said she and her family would eat bread and butter with coffee for breakfast every morning. If you have hard water, a shower head filter can remove the extra minerals and make your hair and skin feel softer. I also like to add Louisiana hot sauce. These arent the most appetizing of meals, but even so, many of them have been handed down through generations and are still made by those who know of the hardships their parents and grandparents faced throughout the 30s. Lets not forget leftover stew. I personally like my glop thick. A typical school lunch in New York public schools consisted of pea soup without milk; Italian spaghetti with onion and tomato sauce; white rolls, buttered, according to Ziegelnan. For more recipes from that time, pick up A Square Meal: A Culinary History of the Great Depression. Aside from the crust, all you need is water, butter, sugar, flour, and vanilla. Depression Era Recipes. Slice and fry in bacon grease. Instructions. Mashups were a common way to use up whatever you had on hand during the Depression, and the Garbage Plate is another example. If we had left over rice, she added hot milk, a little sugar and raisins to make a rice pudding. People in Tibet drink a strong, smoky tea with pink Himalayan salt and yak cream. Mix dry ingredients in a mixing bowl, and stir in wet ingredients. Cream of Potato Soup is a recipe from the Great Depression era that we all still enjoy very much today. Drizzle with maple syrup. Free shipping. Apples were in short supply during the Depression, so the rich flavor of the crackers helped to supplement the limited apple flavor. On the Fresh Bread, dont forget to add 2TBSP of salt to help bring out flavor. But why should that have stopped anybody from having delicious cake? My parents were also kids during the dust bowl era which pretty much ran during the depression era, Dad said the ate saltine crackers soaked in milk, made with powered milk fir dinner ore beef both soaked bread. . Still found at diners located in Rochester, New York, the Garbage Plate is a mashup of macaroni salad, home fries and/or baked beans, and sausage or cheeseburger, topped with a beef chili, white onions, mustard, and ketchup or hot sauce. Then both the aspic and the bread are cut into heart shapes. Baked Onions and Peanut Butter. These were foods I prepared when there was no $ for anything else but the kids did not know they were on rations. Haluski is a dish that originated in Poland. Simmer, and add broken up crackers, butter, and seasonings before serving. Black pepper, preferably fresh ground, multi-color peppercorns, Rice, either white, brown, wild, whatever you prefer, Sugar, or honey, molasses, or maple syrup, to bowl of cooked white or brown rice, to one cup of warm Milk, or half and half, or heavy cream, 1 tsp. Its full of simple ingredients that all really shine. Mashed potatoes were either made into cakes and fried for breakfast or mixed with some fish to make fish cakes. Drop directly into stew or soup, cover, and cook 30 minutes. It seems like an all-in-one-breakfast sandwich, but it doesnt sound all that great. Boil water, stir in butter and milk and mashed potatoes. Preheat oven to 325 F (160 C) and grease a loaf tin. Others though, dont sound appetizing in the least. You do not need to spend a lot of money or prepare elaborate and pretentious dishes to eat well. Hamburger SOS is a cheaper version of chipped beef that is a classic depression era recipe. Thes pickles will stay good in your modern refrigerator for quite some time, if you dont eat them first! Hoover Stew from Time Traveler's Kitchen. Shutterstock. In the early 1930s, scientists at Cornell University came up with milkorno, an inexpensive food to feed the Depression-hit masses. Today we are lucky enough to have some modern conveniences available to us that make securing food and cooking meals much easier than they were in the Depression Era. Milk, cream, or half and half. She was born in 1911 and her mother died when she was 9 from the flu epidemic. Slowly brown them in a pot with oil until soft, then add bay leaves and salt and pepper. Three important notes to make this a good soup: This is not a precise recipe. Bake in a pre-heated oven at about 300 degrees until golden. Re-boil every 48 to 72 hrs. You can also add sliced apples. According to Homestead Survival Site, peanut butter-stuffed onions were recommended to students by home economics teachers during the Great Depression. Once completed, serve the Egg Drop Soup over toast. 2-3 Tablespoons of bacon grease or other oil for frying. can be a challenge. Then you're gonna love my free PDF, 20 common survival items, 20 uncommon survival uses for each. The Great Depression caused many hardships, but the cuisine that came from it proves how resilient people can truly be. It was not uncommon in the Depression Era for families to make a meal out of whatever types of vegetables were in season or available that day. I think its a good idea to have plenty of dried herbs on hand to enliven whatever vegetables and meat one does manage to have on hand. While some people raised livestock and grew their own fruits and vegetables, others had to stretch every dollar and pinch every penny to get the most food for their buck during hard economic times. Sometimes this included sawdust and lint, which supposedly made the stew more filling. This cake is simple and delicious. 5 of the Most Unusual Depression Era Recipes Weve Seen Yet. The middle class children were also arriving to school with growling bellies. 4 cups of water 2 cups of Split peas, either green or yellow, and/or lentils Diced bacon, ham hocks, pigs feet, or diced ham steak One large onion, diced, and seared in oil cup diced carrots 1 tbsp. Potato soup - water base, not milk - yes - dehydrated potato flakes and vegetables of any sort. Transfer the batter to the greased tin and bake for one hour. In a large, non-stick skillet, combine the eggs and the cooked, drained macaroni over medium heat. Egg Drop Soup. But her mother used to make sugar cookies for breakfast on Sundays. Id be more worried of a solar EMP https://www.extremetech.com/extreme/186805-the-solar-storm-of-2012-that-almost-sent-us-back-to-a-post-apocalyptic-stone-age. Despite the loaf moniker this recipe doesnt sound like the worst, but it does seem a little confusing. It does not get any simpler. Great reference / historical information for depression era recipes; enjoyed the humor and facts through the book. Continue to cook, about 60 minutes, until tender. Pour water into a mixing bowl and gradually add the flour. Plus, you can add some salt for flavor. Water or a handful of clean, fresh snow if you really want an authentic version. canned pumpkin, or canned acorn squash). Pull apart and keep fluffing them up so they will dry. Sure, some of these Great Depression recipes havent stood the test of time. In fact, this recipe doesn't sound nearly as repulsive as corned beef luncheon salad - but it's unusual, to say the least. Yup, the same Kraft mac and cheese that conjures up the feeling of childhood nostalgia also helped many families survive the Depression. Although it cant compare to todays ice cream varieties, he admits that during the Depression, it would have been a real treat for those who were used to the bare minimum. While some of these formulations have become standard today, like the ham and cheese or the club sandwich, other recipes from the book leave a lot to be desired. Then take the yolks and mix with vinegar, mustard, butter, and salt, and pepper. $22.55. (Sh*t on a Shingle" or Save Our Stomachs), Creamed Chipped Beef on Toast was also a staple of the U.S. military during World War I and especially World War II. I love to eat these baked apples with some creamy vanilla ice cream. Related: Canning Amish Poor Man's Steak. Creamed chip beef looks about as appetizing at it sounds. Plus, its egg-free. Fry each pancake for 3-4 minutes per side, or until golden brown. 34 Recipes That Got Us Through the Great Depression. It was thought to be a superfood of sorts, and was definitely more filling than water. Steps: In a Dutch oven, saute onion in butter. Theyre really tasty, and I find the bell peppers to be quite fun. This is one of the dishes brought to the US by immigrants, who knew how to make the most of what vegetables were readily available, and often grown in home gardens. Although he had a taste for fancy meals, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt was served a humble seven-and-a-half-cent lunch, which included deviled eggs in tomato sauce, mashed potatoes, coffee, and, for dessert, prune pudding. That makes each load about 36 cents using ingredients you already have. As Garden & Gun reports, the peanut butter and mayonnaise sandwich took hold of America in the 1930s, during the peak of the Depression. Then make a batter of the flour, milk, salt, butter and baking powder. Preheat oven to 400 and set empty pie crust on a baking sheet. Cover in water, add rum, and boil until the meat is cooked through and tender. Recipe: Put ketchup, mayonnaise, or onion between two slices of bread. She swears it tastes just like apples. They remember the good times of making do. Served on a piece of toast, creamed chip beef is also lovingly called Shit on a Shingle or Save Our Stomachs SOS for short. Of course, if everything did go South, we would most likely suffer a great deal, just like everyone else, but from lack of AC, having to scrounge water, etc. Combine all dry ingredients first, and then pour in milk and well beaten eggs. Youll notice that milk comes up again and again in these menus, because of the tremendous importance that nutritionists placed on milk.. The cookies were simply made with eggs, sugar, and flour, and the kids usually got more condensed milk than they did coffee. I love that its so easy to make and is genuine comfort food. With the economy the way it is, maybe this is good information to know. 1930's Potato Soup and Biscuits from Everyday Foodie. Cover with water and bring to a boil. Popular 1930s Dishes We Still Eat Today. Its a dish that starts on the stove and gets finished in the oven. 1 cup water. Mix together and form a ball. If you are using meat and onions, sear them in oil in a heavy bottomed stockpot. Sear the meat in a skillet. No votes so far! I love the subtle sweetness of the apple cider vinegar. The batter is loaded with cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Lower the heat, pour in milk, and let the bread absorb it. One recipe, which Ziegelman describes as "wrong in every possible way," combined canned corned beef, plain gelatin, canned peas, vinegar and lemon juice. Practice now so youre ready later. Cold Milk Soup is simply milk, bananas, and sugar, served cold on a summer day. Each box contained four servings, making it a cheap meal that was easy to make (and delicious). Today, it looks more like a traditional vegetable stew with carrots, potatoes, tomatoes, and beef. While the pasta is cooking, crack the eggs into a large bowl and add the milk, salt and pepper. Its truly incredible to turn mundane bread into such a decadent dessert. You can use crappies or perch for best results, though trout or walleye are also very good this way. Poor Mans Stew (Hamburger Stew) Slow Cooker or Instant Pot. This one sounds like the type of sandwich you might eat with a fork which is at least the 3rd strike against this abomination. I still eat it today! Its all about stretching what ingredients you have. What do you usually do with the ends of your bread loaf? Slice and enjoy with black coffee or cold milk to offset the sweetness. My great grandmother (1873-1951) had this in her recipe box and used it regularly so do we. This hearty stew is made with lots of flavorful veggies, and the tomato broth is rich and tasty. 5. The spring salad is a seasonal salad filled, Once you start making your own salad dressings,, Vitamin D has several important functions, but it's, check out this recipe for a Lucky Charms milkshake, Get Exclusive Deals on the Products You Love, Flavored sugar cubes add a festive twist to any party, This pork schnitzel recipe gives you a taste of the quintessential German dish, Its always iced coffee season when you have a HyperChiller, the device that chills drinks in 60 seconds or less, People swear this showerhead filter makes their hair, skin and nails feel so much softer, and its on sale for less than $40. Slowly brown them in a pot with oil until soft, then add bay leaves and salt and pepper. The crispy toast is a great base for all of the other flavors and textures going on. There were very few convenience foods in the depression-era. Dump the contents including drippings for the skillet into a quart of water. Progressives wanted to help children from poor families by providing them with at least one nutritious meal per day. Craving even more delicious recipes? Turn as needed until flesh is firm. The second and third nights dinners would be a rabbit meat stir-fry. This is another ground beef recipe that, thanks to the Instant Pot, can be whipped up in no time and on a dime! Im Kim. Clara said that when her mother used to make bread, shed save a piece of the bread dough to make pizza for dinner that night. Around my mountain top, fast food is rabbit and squirrel. Every household had the two staple items mayo and peanut butter and the sour, nutty, concoction was filled with enough protein and provided enough sustenance to keep families going. Bake 30 minutes at 350 degrees or until tender. Add yeast and dissolve with warm water. When meat was too expensive during the Depression, people turned to balogna to get the protein they needed. Mash the bread up and eat. Here is a little more nutritious but still simple version. I still have this at times. "What's scary is it's not terrible," said Hollis. Potatoes were easy to grow and affordable to buy. Ritz cracker crust. Photo courtesy of A Modern Homestead. Kraft Macaroni and Cheese. Not only are they super cute, but they taste delicious, too. This cabbage and noodle dish is made with buttery noodles and crispy pan-fried cabbage. 0 seconds of 1 minute, 11 secondsVolume 0%. Its a mixture of milk, flour, salt and either butter or margarine, with maybe a little bit of pepperYou mix all these ingredients into a tray and bake it, and you have a kind of like thick, mushy, bland casserole., Bland is really the operative word here, Coe continued. The Great Depression is where bread and butter pickles are said to have gotten their name. It is a one-pot rough, crude, delicious, and filling meal. When fruit was hard to get, people got creative. Need I say more? This sandwich is called the Four-Decker Sandwich and sounds rather a lot like ambrosia salad (minus the coconut and marshmallows) shoved between slices of bread. Keep in refrigerator. But, it gets worse. This will provide nourishment, allow you to develop and practice basic cooking and baking skills, and keep you from wasting money on microwavable prepared foods, which are often expensive and heavily laden with salt, high fructose corn syrup, or saturated fat. Sometimes, they would also indulge in wafer cookies along with their homemade sugar cookies. Free shipping. Its as basic as basic can get, yet very yummy. During the 1930s the way people ate and cooked changed dramatically. This simple sandwich is made from walnuts, mayo, and some lettuce on bread. ", Plus daily homesteading tips (unsubscribe anytime), 20 Strange Meals People Ate During The Great Depression. Serve as is, or over rice or potatoes, and with buttered biscuits, hardtack, or bread. While the chocolate potato cake and tomato soup cakes were pleasant surprises, this raisin pie, which calls for something called sour milk, tasted like a shower drain, according to Hollis. We may once again have to shop like our ancestors did during the Depression Era. . They make this dessert so rich and yummy. My favorite way to enjoy this is with a smear of creamy Nutella. In 1937, when the United States was in the throes of the Great Depression, Kraft Foods launched the iconic Mac and Cheese. Let cool for 10 minutes in the tin, then turn the . Florence Cowles, author of the 1936 book, 1001 Sandwiches, was no stranger to how to make a little bit of food stretch to feed a crowd. Sift flour, cornmeal, salt, and baking powder, twice. Add fruit. Clara said that they used to eat their pizza plain, which meant the dough would be rolled out, cooked, and then topped with a bit of butter. You can also add raisins, or diced dried or fresh apples. Take whatever is left over in the fridge,rice,beans,potatoes,meat veggies ect and through them all in the crock pot. The top of this pie is slightly crisp and the filling is rich and creamy. Previous page . Beat well with a fork or whisk. Making Mealtime Meaningful: See How Were Giving Back with the New 12 Tomatoes Cares Program , 10 Awful Sandwiches from the Great Depression. For an entire decade, spending and investment was at an all-time low, which meant unemployment was high and the majority of American families were surviving on next to nothing. Classic cornbread is the perfect side with almost any meal. According to a WWII vet, this was all they were served some days when food was scarce. Once pan is hot, pour in the mixture. Add water as needed. Mix in ground beef. This can be made sweet with honey, sugar, maple syrup, or molasses, or savory with salt and pepper or beef broth. Step aside peanut butter and jelly. Back in the Great Depression, you would often find this pie made with a crushed cracker crust. Depression-Era Hot Milk Cake. Surprise! When it is baked, it should be dry and hard. This dish was promoted by various government agencies (like the Bureau of Home Economics) and even touted by First Lady, Eleanor Roosevelt, as an economic dish. Sugar Milk Pie from Jade's Homemade Recipes is another recipe that contains only a couple of ingredients and is from the late 1920s - early 1930s. lemon juice 5 Tbsps. All you need for this simple soup is potatoes, milk, butter, salt, and pepper. Sprinkle with spirits. Cut the hard bread into slices, and then pour olive oil and salt onto the slices. Now, get out there and forage for some dandelions! Begin by searing meat in an oiled skillet. In large bowl, pour milk over bread (let stand until milk is absorbed). The bland white sauce, made with milk, did little to flavor the pasta or carrots. Her cookbook offered an endless stream of ways to make sandwiches, both sweet and savory varieties. Place water, raisins, cinnamon, cloves, brown sugar, lard (shortening), nutmeg and salt in a saucepan and mix. The warm and inviting spices make them super addicting. Add the hot peppers, onions and garlic if available and salt and pepper. Chop nuts fine and mix with half the remaining cheese. People cooked what they already had or what was inexpensive. I dont think this one would end up being the show-stopping luncheon item that many housewives might have hoped it could be. This egg drop soup is not similar to the ones you find at restaurants. Sugar sandwiches - no, but sugar/cinnamon on toast is good. Put whole, unpeeled potatoes into a skillet and add sliced onions. Good Old-Fashioned Potato Pancakes from Blessed Beyond Crazy.