I think, no I know, I was born in another era, 1930’s or 40’s. I love that era, probably because of all the old movies I watched with my mom. It doesn’t take much to set me off dreaming I was there, anywhere, back then.
The Rumford Complete Cook Book just sold, you know the 1932 edition that was in my MissEileen vintage shop, so I started looking through it one last time before I wrapped it. The cookbook recipes are fun but more interesting are the recipes and notes added by the first owner of the book. Inside the book are newspaper recipes carefully clipped then glued to the “notes” pages of the book. The recipes are mostly for baking but there are a few for pickles and salads. One recipe, Peanut Butter Cookies, is pretty much the same now as then but there are others that have disappeared over time. Here’s a few to try. Put some old swing music on the radio (or your pod) and imagine you have a date at the movies tonight….to see that movie everyone’s talking about, “It Happened One Night” with Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert.
Gum Drop Fruit Cake
2 cups shortening (butter preferred)
1 cup white sugar
1 cup brown sugar
4 eggs, beaten
2 cups unsweetened applesauce
2 teaspoons soda
4 cups flour
1 cup dates
1 cup Brazil nuts
1 cup small mixed gumdrops
1 cup seeded raisins
3 teaspoons each cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice
Cream shortening and sugar, add eggs and applesauce in which flour has been dissolved. Then add flour, measured after sifting, and mix well. Add raisins, which have been floured with chopped nuts, dates—cut in long pieces- gumdrops and spices, and mix well. Bake in a loaf pan from 45 to 60 minutes in a moderate oven (350 degrees).
Never-Fail Caramel Icing
2 cups brown sugar
6 tablespoons sweet or sour cream or condensed milk
2 tablespoons butter
2 teaspoons vanilla
Mix well. Put over very slow fire and bring to a boil. Take off after one minute and beat until cool.
I wasn’t able to date most of the news clippings but Honey Drop Cookies, is from 1932. Check out the nutrition information. Love it.
Snow Salad
2 cups chopped cabbage
1 cup green grapes, seeded and halved
1 cup shredded cocoanut
1/2 cup blanched and chopped almonds
1-3 cup mayonnaise dressing (this might not be enough mayo. I copied the recipe exact. Add more if it is too dry)
2 tablespoons heavy cream
Combine all ingredients and serve on lettuce leaves. Top with additional mayonnaise.
Honey Drop Cookies
Shortening, ½ cup Eggs 2
Sugar, 1 cup Flour, 1 ½ cups
Honey, 2 tablespoons Baking powder, 2 teaspoons
Salt, ¼ teaspoon Vanilla, ½ teaspoon
Makes about 100 cookies
Blend together butter or other shortening, sugar, honey and salt. Stir in eggs one at a time. Sift flour with baking powder and add this. Add vanilla. Drop ½ teaspoon batter for each cookie on a greased baking sheet, far enough apart as they spread. A half walnut or pecan could be placed on each cookie if desired. Bake in a hot oven for about 8 minutes. Be careful not to burn.
Diet note:
Recipe furnishes protein, starch, sugar, and a little fat. Lime and iron present but the vitamins have been damaged by the action of the baking powder. Can be given to children over 10. Can be eaten by normal adults of average or under weight.
Hope you enjoyed this little trip into the 1930’s.
Post by Miss Eileen aka GoofingOff
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