This recipe comes from a wartime leaflet that was to help home cooks better cook with their rations. This meal is a very familiar meal and one my family felt like we’ve enjoyed before — it’s a simple, hearty meal that’s easy to prepare and absolutely delicious! Since we are making this during 1940s Days,…
Category: Recipes From Our Kitchen
Mock Apple Pie
Mock Apple Pie dates back to the 1800s and was made with stale bread or soda crackers when apples were unavailable through the winter. This recipe made a comeback in the 1930s when apples were far too expensive so butter crackers were used instead. The recipe became so popular that Ritz crackers shared the recipe…
Minestrone Soup
Hearty soups are a simple way to feed a hungry family and an easy way to stretch some vegetables. Not only did this pot of minestrone soup serve my family, but we shared with a couple friends and we still had leftover! It’s a filling, nourishing soup paired with fresh bread makes a wonderful meal,…
Welsh Rarebit
Welsh rarebit is toast with a cheese sauce poured over top. It dates back to the late 1700s and is thought to have possibly been a peasant dish as meat was expensive and cheese was readily available and a common protein food source in those days. It is also a great way to use stale…
Spam Fritters
Spam Fritters is a piece of Spam, battered and fried. It is a simple, humble meal. It was popular during World War 2 because of its convenience and affordability and was often served in school lunches. During World War II, Spam was a common canned meat in rations and became a staple food for both…
1940s Bran Muffins
These bran muffins from the 1940s are surprisingly light and fluffy with a moist and tender crumb and a lightly crisp top. To be completely honest, I did not expect that! When I touched the muffin to see if it’d spring back, it felt hard and dried out. So I was delighted to see the…
Bread Pancakes from the 1940s
Nothing went to waste during rationing of the Second World War and resourceful cooks found ways to use scraps, especially bread, and repurpose it into new meals. There’s a plethora of recipes using stale bread but I was especially excited to see bread pancakes! I had never heard of bread pancakes until we started 1940s…
Potato Scones from the 1940s
Potato Scones (also called tatties scones) are an old fashioned, traditional Scottish flatbread made with leftover mashed potatoes. Potatoes were encouraged to be eaten in the UK because potatoes could be grown right there and did not need to be imported. The Ministry of Food published “Food Fact” leaflets that included information and recipes! I…
