Patricia Wagner - Depression Era Recipes

Cover illustration by Gene Kadlac Illustrations, book and cover design by Patricia R. Wagner Except for short excerpts in reviews, no part of this book may be reproduced in any way without permission from the publisher. 40 39 38 37 36 35 34 33 32 Depression Era Recipes Copyright 1989 by Patricia R. Wagner Published by Adventure Publications An imprint of AdventureKEEN 330 Garfield Street South Cambridge, Minnesota 55008 (800) 678-7006 www.adventurepublications.net All rights reserved Printed in China ISBN 978-0-934860-55-0 (pbk.) Acknowledgements The recipes contained in this book were for the most part obtained from brittle, hand-written recipe books composed by relatives and friends relatives. When this project was started, old recipe books began coming out of the woodwork. The women who wrote these cookbooks, and their children, lived through the Depression: they learned to be savers, which accounts for the existence of the books.

The Depression wasnt all soup lines and poverty. The information related herein is intended to show how people coped with the Depression, their diversions and what life was all about, what they had and how they spent their leisure time. Not all of these recipes have been personally tested by the author. But if they were good enough for Gramma Signe, Aunt Minnie and Mom, theyre good enough for us. This wasnt just a matter of typing up old recipes. There was an incredible amount of research involved.

I learned so much from this effort that it was like taking a history class. Enjoy! Its a regular walk down memory lane. Forget the microwave. Lets get back to the way Grandma cooked. I would like to thank my mom, Ruth Wagner, and Maureen ONeill, Betty Hendrickson, Diane Wagner, Dorothy McGrath Hess, Ruby Beckman, Kitty Bakken, Sharon Rudquist and Elaine Nilsen for all they did to help. They trusted me with precious family cookbooks, which were upwards of sixty years old and quite fragile.

Their generosity made this book possible. Other thanks go to the folks at the East Central Regional Library in Cambridge, MN, who were so kind in helping me find resource materials and who answered so many of my obscure questions...always with a smile. TABLE OF CONTENTSHope Theres a new moon tonight, and so I wonder If you will see it - and if it will start Some vague regret for all the crashing thunder Of bitter phrases rooted from the heart; Is it not strange when pride has cooled down How one can miss a glance - a touch of hand And how the timid bow-boy that we ruled down Can raise his havoc with the peace we planned? How do you spend your time - are you pursuing The fevered lures that help you to forget, Or like a certain lad - are you renewing Your joust with grief thru nights so black? Theres a new moon tonight - perhaps youll sec Its radiance - and muse a bit on me! -Don Wahn, 1933 This poem was discovered in my fathers dresser drawer (the one with the treasures in it) shortly after his death on April 1, 1989. Dad apparently was impressed by the hope this poem inspired, as he kept it under lock and key all these years. How to Tell Who Lived During the Depression You can always tell Depression Survivors by what they save: First of all, money - whenever they can. Then, and not necessarily in this order, they save: paper bags, bottles and jars, string, rubber bands (in Minnesota we call them rubber binders), twist ties, newspapers and magazines, any paper thats blank on one side, coupons, bread bags (they wash them and hang them inside out on the clothesline to dry,) seeds from vegetables to grow in the garden next year, leftover food, Cool Whip bowls and prescription medication containers, all sorts of clothing, and anything else that they may have a purpose for later.

Another giveaway is the phrases they use. Perhaps the most common one is, Dont throw it away - its still good ! Others you may identify with: For that price you could have bought a new one! How much? Boy, they sure saw you coming! You can fix that. You can make it yourself lots cheaper! Keep it...you might need it someday. And of course, Clean your plate! If these phrases dont sneak into their vocabulary, you can tell Depression Survivors by observing their habits: They turn out the light when they leave a room, they shut off the water while brushing their teeth, they dont use the clothes dryer from April to October. They have always worn sensible shoes, they have a garden and do a lot of canning, they turn down the heat at night. They probably dont have an air conditioner, but they most likely have a microwave and use it for warming up the mornings coffee.

They write their grocery lists in pencil on the backs of old envelopes; they can forecast the weather using only their knees and they doubt the credibility of color radar. They buy things on sale if at all possible. Youve seen them - theyre the ones with the good old toasters and the window fans that work. Considering the tremendous changes that these folks have experienced over the past 50-60 years, it is no wonder that they cling to the ways of the past. We can learn a lot from these wonderful people. It might be a good idea to bring back some of the frugal habits of our senior citizens.

Just think of the money youll save!! Breakfasts Dinner may be pleasant, So may social tea; But yet, me thinks the breakfast Is good enough for me. Spanish Omelet 2 T. butter 2 large onions 2 buttons garlic 1/2-1 pt. tomatoes Dash red pepper 2-3 small chilies Salt 6 eggs Chop onions fine and brown in butter in a large skillet. Add garlic and fry for a minute or two. Add tomatoes, pepper, chilies and salt to taste.

Cook all till well done. Beat eggs thoroughly, pour over tomato mixture, let brown and then fold. Serve hot. Although even when its cold its hot! Muffins 3 c. flour 4 t. sugar 1/2 t. salt 1 egg 1 1/2 c. milk 4 T. melted lard Sift together flour, baking powder, sugar and salt. melted lard Sift together flour, baking powder, sugar and salt.

Beat egg well and stir in milk. Pour this gradually into dry ingredients and pour in melted lard. Bake in greased muffin tins in moderate oven until nicely browned. Serve with butter and preserves. Quick Breakfast Puffs 2 eggs 1 scant cup milk 1 T. flour 3 t. baking powder 1/2 t. salt Beat the eggs very thoroughly and add the milk and shortening. salt Beat the eggs very thoroughly and add the milk and shortening.

Sift flour, salt and baking powder twice. Add the liquid and beat for two minutes. Pour into hot, well greased muffin pans and bake for about 20 minutes in hot oven. Serve warm with butter. Graham Gems 2 c. salt 4 t. baking powder 1 egg 1 1/4 c. milk 2 T. melted shortening Sift together flour, salt and baking powder. melted shortening Sift together flour, salt and baking powder.

Beat eggs well and stir in milk. Add shortening and mix to form batter. Bake in hot, greased gem pans in a moderately hot oven for about 20 minutes. Graham flour is actually whole wheat flour that is so-called because it was developed by Sylvester W. Graham, an American Dietary Reformer, in 1834. W. W.

Graham cereal showing up on your grocers shelves? Thats him! But they dont tell you that. Breakfast Muffins 1 1/4 c. milk 1/4 t. salt 2 c. flour 2 T. sugar 1 egg 1 T. baking powder Sift all dry ingredients together. baking powder Sift all dry ingredients together.