1926

So it's been a little bit since I've posted. A lot has gone on and I've been a little busy to post. I have done some cooking though- some successes and yes some failures too. I love both equally. I never thought I'd be the one who utilizes the science in food. I absolutely HATED my food science courses in college and thought that it took the feeling out of cooking, ultimately ruining whatever you are making. I still feel that if you cook without emotion, that you can taste the indifference. Its like eating an unsalted cracker. Sure it will give you physical sustenance but you will not find enjoyment in eating it.

Today I was reading through one of my Nana's old cookbooks that used to sit on her kitchen counter. It was a Better Homes Recipe Book by Marjorie Mills, published by Boston Herald- Traveler in 1926.

My Nana was 6 years old when this was published, making this more than likely her mother's book. Within the book were several clippings from newspapers and a couple magazines. It was pretty interesting to read the excerpts and clippings. Comparing the desires and needs of a housewife then and what is no longer expected of a woman today was pretty funny. The book at one point went into the dietary needs of children- and a staple of their diet back then was a laxative, because children don't poop enough as it is......

 

According to this book, for a child's diet, its neccessary to have a quart of milk or more- so 4 cups of milk or more a day (not horrible) but then add in whole grains, a laxative and "vitalizing" foods. Never really goes into what "vitalizing" foods are exactly but I can only imagine that with all that milk, whole grains and laxatives, kids in the 1920's were gassy little shits.

Naturally, this book was written essentially for the everyday housewife. So it goes into detail with specifics when entertaining. It also gives instructions on how to prepare the perfect cup of coffee for your deserving husband. This page is from the coffee instructions. The best "Don't" listed was "Don't blame the brand for acrid, tannin-like taste when it is the work of your own hands."  So basically, if you're failing at making coffee, don't be a douche and blame the brand of coffee for sucking, because it's your own damn fault for not being able to make a simple pot of coffee. If it were me, I'd just give my husband the 2 bucks and tell him to stop at Dunkie's on his way to work, or invest in a damn keurig because I'll be damned if Folgers is going to get a little sassy with me.

 Then I found these gems. Apparently a Hindu Salad is a basic lettuce salad with tomatoes and celery but just add some watercress- because apparently that's indian and therefore HINDU.

 

 Airy Nothings. I'm assuming these are like meringues but I couldn't tell by the recipe. Something about making a nest- not a well-, baking and then cutting in squares. Maybe something like dehydrated cookies, OH MAYBE ITS THE FIRST ASTRONAUT FOODS!

 

If this is the milkshake of the 1920's, those girls brought no boys to their yard. ITS MADE WITH EGG. Milk, egg, sugar, ice or very cold ingredients and some vanilla. Stick it all in a mason jar and shake like hell. Then top it off with cookie crumbs. Here ya go boys, some vanilla flavored salmonella. 

These were a couple of the clippings I found in the book. I didn't however, find them together in the book. So apparently my nana and mom planned to have some Gatsby ragers. These are several clippings asking for advice on how and what to serve 125 and 200 people. Apparently caned green beans, pineapple and cabbage salad and baked ham, raisin sauce, buttered carrots and peas were the trends. 

Its always a good idea to take a ride back in time. It was especially fun knowing that my Nana not only used this book, but referred to it with her mother. I can see notes left in her handwritting as well as others. Cooking with my Nana was always something I looked forward to and it is something I miss so very much. I wish she were alive to see what I've done with her influence on my culinary aspirations. I like to think she'd be proud with what I've accomplished. Not to mention, she would have been that person to give me my first dollar to hang in The Artisan Rooster. 

Party on Nana. Gastby's got nothing on you and your baked ham.