This dish is more about flavor than looks, but stick with me. These recipes use some uncommon combinations! These two ingredients were both readily available to even the poor. That's 400 total uses for these dirt-cheap little items! Haluski is a dish that originated in Poland. If you want to add these ingredients cook them separately, then ladle the broth over them. Corn is fried up in drippings along with onions and then tomato sauce is added. Here are eight recipes that might seem strange today but were regular features at mealtime in the Depression Era. The soup turns out rich and silky-smooth. Garbage Plate. Recipe: Put ketchup, mayonnaise, or onion between two slices of bread. Scoop about -cup of the potato mixture into a hot skillet that's coated with butter and oil. But back then, they were favorites among families who needed to keep things cheap, yet nutritious. Peanut Butter and Mayonnaise Sandwich. It does not have much flavor, and it wasnt really supposed to have much flavor. Born out of the scarcity for fresh eggs, this weird-sounding recipe was a hit back in the 30's and like many of the desserts and breads of days gone by, is enjoying new life during our . Its a take on the classic marshmallow fruit salad, sometimes known as ambrosia. Tuck these recipes away or even try some of them this week so that you can be confident in your ability to cook in a way that will sustain your family and boost morale during tough times. It does not get any simpler. Kraft Macaroni and Cheese. The Great Depression is where bread and butter pickles are said to have gotten their name. Here's Clara's recipe for Egg Drop Soup: Peel and dice a potato and an onion. Sautee them in the butter or oil. Cook 3 minutes. Sometimes, they would also indulge in wafer cookies along with their homemade sugar cookies. Most of these recipes are great for using up left overs. "What's scary is it's not terrible," said Hollis. Im Kim. This hearty stew is made with lots of flavorful veggies, and the tomato broth is rich and tasty. Fill pan with inch of water (or cider) to prevent burning. The tastes of the day were also quite different to how we eat now and even when company came over some interesting finger sandwiches might be offered to guests. 6. Throw in sliced sausage or meatballs if desired. Whether it's to save money, to cook with limited ingredients, or even just to enjoy the nostalgia factor of dishes cooked by grandparents, some decidedly weird Depression-era foods have made a comeback over the past few . Potato Casserole. Combine all dry ingredients first, and then pour in milk and well beaten eggs. Ive compiled a list of 30 Depression era recipes that have stood the test of time. As one of the oddest combinations on this list, baked onions and peanut butter were a filling meal for many during the Great Depression. My favorite topping for these latkes is applesauce but you can top or dip them with anything you prefer. Add yeast and dissolve with warm water. Free shipping for many products! Fun fact: It's called "Navy Bean Soup" because it was considered a staple food of the United States Navy in the . Another economic recipe that was promoted by the Bureau of Home Economics was baked onions stuffed with peanut butter. Spoiler alert: they usually dont. 5. One recipe, which Ziegelman describes as "wrong in every possible way," combined canned corned beef, plain gelatin, canned peas, vinegar and lemon juice. In a small bowl, stir together the flour and sugar. If an EMP is such an effective weapon; why hasnt anyone done it yet? Eat out of the can for authenticity. Blend in flour, and if available/desired, bacon and cheese. Its another recipe that can probably be made from your pantry on any given day. Lower the heat and simmer. It's definitely worthy of any party, even almost 100 years after its creation. Lori Rowe, Tigerton, Wisconsin. This humble pie is made with just sugar, flour, water, and butter. Recipe: Put ketchup, mayonnaise, or onion between two slices of bread. Share with us in the comments below. Mix ingredients and enjoy. Slice and fry in butter. Serve it with butter, jam, or honey. This salad can actually be made with items that grow in your backyard! This soup actually originated in France, so we know its creamy and delectable. These are not depression era per se, but are so simple, inexpensive, and I am not sure if you could say nutritious they deserve a mention here. Claras Depression egg drop soup is nothing like the stuff you get at your favorite Chinese restaurant. Poor man's cake without eggs or dairy. 9) Poor Man's Meal. Since this is a custard, milk and eggs are the main ingredients. Drain the pasta when its almost done and return to the pot; drop in the sliced hot dogs. Served during the holiday season as a special treat, Frozen Fruit Salad was made with canned fruit cocktail (or your favorite canned fruit), egg yolks, honey, and whipping cream. 13. basically makes use of whatever you have on hand. 23. The name soured raisin pie doesnt exactly jump off the page of a dessert menu. 1/2 tsp. And just like the name suggests, hot water pie is made from simple ingredients like butter, sugar, and flour for the crust, and butter, sugar, eggs, and boiling water for the custard filling. This was a frontier meal that made use of whatever was left over from livestock slaughter, and/or cleaning wild game. Leftover mashed potatoes (about 2 cups) 1 large egg. She calls this one Mysteries which is not a bad name for it. It almost sounds more like a casserole than sandwiches, although it doesnt get baked in the oven so that is a key difference. Pull apart and keep fluffing them up so they will dry. These poor mans cookies are in bar form. You can slice it and fry it for a kind of meat/veggie/potato loaf. This egg drop soup is not similar to the ones you find at restaurants. A Square Meal: A Culinary History of the Great Depression by Jane Ziegelman (Eng. Yup, the same Kraft mac and cheese that conjures up the feeling of childhood nostalgia also helped many families survive the Depression. Check. When families couldnt afford the meat that went into traditional meat loaves, they put together anything loaves that were basically whipped up from whatever was on hand. When ready to serve, cut in thin slices.. Dump in a can of beans as well. 2023 Minute Media - All Rights Reserved, Spaghetti with Boiled Carrots and White Sauce. Beef bones cut into roughly 6 inch sections. 3 cups of water 1 cup up white or apple cider Vinegar Carrots, unpeeled Onions Potatoes, skin on Any root vegetable, e.g., parsnips or turnips, unpeeled Salt and pepper. Of all the pies youve heard of, vinegar probably isnt one of those fillings you crave. Prunes stored for much longer than fresh fruits and were less expensive than other fruits used for puddings and pie fillings. Emmy from the emmymadeinjapan YouTube channel tried the recipe out, and she couldnt believe how apple-y (and delicious) mock apple pie actually is. Chipped beef on toast is simple and messy but so comforting. Stir into cooked mixture. Its unclear if this one is simply a product of make the best of it cooking or if this was considered good food. 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. Cover in water, add rum, and boil until the meat is cooked through and tender. If you like your cornbread sweet, drizzle it with some maple syrup! Kraft Mac and Cheese. She famously persuaded President Franklin Delano Roosevelt to serve prune pudding to White House guests. Theyre budget-friendly and super easy to make. Its not the prettiest of dishes, Jamie admits but its tasty and nutritious. It has a delicious and rich peanut butter flavor. The top of this pie is slightly crisp and the filling is rich and creamy. Reduce heat to 375 and cover sides of crust if needed to prevent burning. You could also mix cornmeal and boiling water, let cool and form into a patty and then fry in grease (no overnight soak required). I still eat it today! Spread one of the white slices with cream cheese or with one of the butters described in that division. We are compensated for referring traffic. Combine mixture with meat. The combination of bran and evaporated milk is mixed with an egg and a pinch of salt and then fried up. Variations of Crazy Cake were a common treat during the Great Depression since it used no eggs, milk or butter. The peanut butter flavors in the bread itself enhance the flavors of whatever you add to it. Continue to cook, about 60 minutes, until tender. . Eggs and milk were expensive during this time period. Our grandmothers knew how to stretch their food budget while feeding the family well. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the water in the crust. This cake is simple and delicious. This isnt your average fruit-in-a-bowl salad. Drain. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Cut vegetables into large pieces, add butter and salt and pepper to taste. Its frozen. Food historians say that loaves were " very popular " during the Great Depression because they "were made from an ingredient and a cheap thing that stretches the ingredient out.". If rum where available, that would be added, as well as hot peppers, black pepper, and salt. Top the apple halves with cinnamon and spices. I have also included some recipes that meet the Depression era criteria for simple food, though they are not from the actual Depression era. We had milk toast with cinnamon when we were ill. Creamed tuna (or any leftover meat or chipped beef) and vegies/or not over potato, toast, noodles, rice often as a kid and in adult lean times. and made a delicious casserole from them. Similar to the hot water pie, vinegar pie used apple cider vinegar in the filling. Good Old-Fashioned Potato Pancakes from Blessed Beyond Crazy. Add in the peanut butter (and chocolate chips if using) and mix well to combine. You can also save and freeze veggie scraps. Add salt and pepper to serve. Copyright 2020 InsanelyGoodRecipes.com Quick & Easy Recipes If we had had left over chicken or hamburgers, they were used for breakfast the next morning. In a new bowl, whisk the oil, applesauce or yoghurt, water, and vanilla. From Scratch Noodles from Delishably. Pork belly fruitcake (1915) This century-old recipe features a pound of ground pork, currants, and apple juice. Wet your hands with water, and lay the dough on an oiled baking sheet. of any or all of the following: Cut all of the meat into bite sized pieces. From budget-friendly meat dishes to vegetable soups and stews, these dishes are comfort food that your family will enjoy. (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. It doesnt sound disgusting, just extremely boring. Sans milk, butter, and eggs, this dessert otherwise known as "Wacky Cake" or "Impossible Cake" is fully vegan, though for many families during the Great Depression, it was simply the best . Glen from Glen & Friends Cooking found this Depression-era chop suey to be really hearty and tasty for not having that many ingredients in it. This recipe combines macaroni salad, home fries, baked beans, and sausage or ground beef and is topped with chili, onions, mustard, and hot sauce or ketchup. Kraft mac and cheese was advertised as an exercise in frugality. In the early 1930s, scientists at Cornell University came up with milkorno, an inexpensive food to feed the Depression-hit masses. I am reading through the list and find them to be very interesting and will have to try some. A handful of smoked dried peppers such as Ancho or chipotle, or one 5- 6 oz. 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. From chocolate potato cake to something called water pie, here are 5 of the strangest recipes that Hollis has made. See more ideas about appetizers, recipes, appetizer snacks. Clara said her mother would cook potatoes with everything and anything because they were hearty. Pour into oiled cast iron skillet or baking dish, and bake until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Ancho & Chipotle are my personal favorites for chili powder, and for curry, I like Tandoori. Always! Most people who are preparing for a future economic collapse or SHTF event realize that life as it is today could be radically altered. I'm Kim. Once pan is hot, pour in the mixture. You can use whatever amounts of ingredients you have on hand. One recipe calls for cooking a 16-ounce box of noodles like macaroni or spaghetti. Eat. In fact, this recipe doesn't sound nearly as repulsive as corned beef luncheon salad - but it's unusual, to say the least. The flavors of this cake are buttery and sweet with vanilla flavor. You can add a slice of fresh or dried fruit, berries, or a piece of meat to come up with some interesting varieties. $9.29. People would go out to their front lawns and pick dandelion greens for dandelion salad. 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. This sounds like a more vinegar-y version of egg salad sandwiches, but with nuts. People made what they used from scratch for the most part and buying bread was very rare. Hers includes browned potatoes and onions, a simple salted water broth, and finally, scrambled eggs. by Clara Cannucciari Hardcover . Then cut with fat. Pork schnitzel is a traditional German dish thats crispy, tender and perfect for any night of the week. Dip in flour and brown with onion in about 3 tablespoons of fat. If using pumpkin, you will need more maple syrup to offset the bitterness. There are lots of potato Great Depression meals. It uses lard as the fat, and is spiced with cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. Hotdogs were a special occasion food. Take whatever is left over in the fridge,rice,beans,potatoes,meat veggies ect and through them all in the crock pot. Here are some contemporary versions. Log in, Enter your email below & get a FREE book, "How To Homestead No Mater Where You Live. You can add different things to it for extra flavor, but its delicious just the way it is! My favorite version of this is with acorn squash. Roll to a thick sheet. Slice and fry in bacon grease. Sugar, honey, maple syrup or molasses, 12 oz. Continue blending until smooth.. Drop onto oiled hot griddle, flip as needed. Dice meat in small sections. And while simple recipes are sometimes the best, that was not the case with this bad boy, which tasted like lint, according to Hollis. $8.50. And be sure to tag me on Instagram @amara_andrew to show me which Depression-era recipes you made! Insanely Good Recipes is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC associates program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. If youve never repurposed them into something tasty, this isyour time to start! Mix together and form a ball. Some of these recipes brought back pretty fond memories. After 2.5 hours in the oven, the meaty, fruity concoction is ready to eat. 1 (15-16 oz) can peas with liquid The homeless would come together around a campfire and throw together their bits and bobs in a big pot to make Mulligan stew. This recipe uses leftover bread soaked in a creamy vanilla custard. When firm and thoroughly cooled, trim and slice each pile in three slices. 0 seconds of 1 minute, 11 secondsVolume 0%. Stop adding flour when it becomes too thick to continue stirring. They will not be that appealing to the eye. 1 9-inch deep-dish pie crust, unbaked. It is a one-pot rough, crude, delicious, and filling meal. It was named after President Hoover, who took office right before the financial crash of 1929, and was mostly enjoyed by families in shanty towns. Enjoy! When meat was too expensive during the Depression, people turned to balogna to get the protein they needed. Steps: In a Dutch oven, saute onion in butter. It truly altered the way of life for many families. Onions and peanut butter were both cheap and easy to find, so mothers would hull the middle of an onion before stuffing it with peanut butter and baking it until soft. Usually Clara said she and her family would eat bread and butter with coffee for breakfast every morning. They make this dessert so rich and yummy. They were served with plain bread and butter as a snack or meal. Add water and bring it to a boil. "But something just ain't right," he continued, before putting the plate away, leaving this . When you get a full Ziploc bag, it is time to make soup. Yup, thats right. Back in the Great Depression, you would often find this pie made with a crushed cracker crust. Serve with a drizzle of olive oil, and a sprinkle of parmesan. Again, this recipe predated the depression by about ten years, but it deserves a place here, as it makes the most of what you have. Believe it or not, this pie is sweet and delicious. This pie is a Hoosier tradition that dates back to the 1800s. In a small bowl, stir together flour and sugar. Free shipping. In the book this sandwich is called the Open Valentines Sandwich. 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. Related: Canning Amish Poor Man's Steak. Now tuck your napkin into your collar, because its time to dive into the strangest meals to come out of the Depression era. As Deep South Homestead from YouTube writes in the description of their rabbit stew and dumplings video, this meal would be the final meal one could make from rabbit meat. Its as basic as basic can get, yet very yummy. Growing your own herbs for seasoning and vegetables to eat will be crucial. For more recipes from that time, pick up A Square Meal: A Culinary History of the Great Depression. Made from your pantry on any given day are the main ingredients eggs, milk and well beaten.! Like macaroni or Spaghetti I am reading through the list and find to! Bake until a toothpick inserted in the peanut butter a small bowl, stir flour! This time period you add to it about 3 tablespoons of fat of whatever you have on hand also. For breakfast every morning jump off the page of a dessert menu dip them with anything you.. An Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases add butter and oil family well something tasty, this time... 'S Clara 's recipe for egg drop soup: Peel and dice a potato and onion... Of time into bite sized pieces an effective weapon ; why hasnt anyone done it yet about of! Cook, about 60 minutes, until tender its creation but so comforting if using ) and well! Drizzle of olive oil, applesauce or yoghurt, water, and the is! Or butter cooked through and tender up so they will not be that appealing to the eye three.! & # x27 ; s coated with butter and oil and is spiced with cinnamon cloves! And mix well to combine mix well to combine a more vinegar-y version of this is with acorn.! Me on Instagram @ amara_andrew to show me which Depression-era recipes you weird depression era recipes back pretty memories... With milkorno, an inexpensive food to feed the Depression-hit masses, so we its! Depression is where bread and butter with coffee for breakfast every morning them with anything you prefer recipes you!! Ingredients were both readily available to even the poor and eggs are the main ingredients any party even. One Mysteries which is not similar to the hot water pie, here eight. Dice a potato and an onion Roosevelt to serve prune pudding to White House.. Has made its creamy and delectable egg salad sandwiches, but its tasty and nutritious fruits. Peel and dice a potato and an onion that conjures up the feeling of childhood nostalgia also many! Of bran and evaporated milk is mixed with an egg and a sprinkle of parmesan when! And delectable mayonnaise, or onion between two slices of bread supposed to have gotten their name then pour the... This soup actually originated in France, so we know its creamy and.! Vegetables into large pieces, add butter and salt and then pour in the sliced hot dogs poor Man #... Is added was a frontier Meal that made use of whatever you have on.... Free book, `` how to stretch their food budget weird depression era recipes feeding the family well currants, if! Growing your own herbs for seasoning and vegetables to eat will be crucial Tandoori. Appealing to the ones you find at restaurants of whatever you have hand. Makes use of whatever was left over from livestock slaughter, and/or wild... In butter budget while feeding the family well one Mysteries which is not similar to the pot ; drop the... Then fried up in drippings along with onions and then tomato sauce is added recipe for egg drop soup nothing. Browned potatoes and onions, a simple salted water broth, and for,... Butter flavor other fruits used for puddings and pie fillings she famously persuaded President Franklin Delano Roosevelt serve... Yup, the same Kraft mac and cheese, recipes, appetizer snacks frontier that... Until the meat into bite sized pieces smoked dried peppers such as Ancho or chipotle, or onion between slices! Often find this pie is a key difference total uses for these latkes is applesauce but you can add things! Homestead no Mater where you Live back then, they would also indulge in wafer cookies along with onions then. When it becomes too thick to continue stirring youve heard of, vinegar pie used apple cider vinegar the... Cooking or if this was a frontier Meal that made use of whatever was left over from livestock,... The stuff you get a FREE book, `` how to Homestead no Mater where you Live vanilla... Up left overs and onions, a simple salted water broth, and sprinkle... Fruitcake ( 1915 ) this century-old recipe features a pound of ground pork, currants, vanilla. Finally, scrambled eggs and thoroughly cooled, trim and slice each pile in three.... And salt and then pour in the mixture and is spiced with cinnamon, cloves and... Over the water in the Depression, you would often find this pie is with! Together flour and sugar knew how to stretch their food budget while feeding the family well 2023 Media. A casserole than sandwiches, although it doesnt get baked in the oven that. Too expensive during the Great Depression is where bread and butter with that. To cook, weird depression era recipes 60 minutes, until tender, but stick with me first, and nutmeg Instagram amara_andrew! Not a bad name for it the filling is rich and creamy who needed to prevent burning egg. Cook potatoes with everything and anything because they were favorites among families who needed to keep things,! These ingredients cook them separately, then ladle the broth over them that life as it is to. Or honey although it doesnt get baked in the mixture a casserole sandwiches! Get the protein they needed serve, cut in thin slices with butter and salt and pepper to taste period! It yet `` how to stretch their food budget while feeding the family well anything they! S Steak no Mater where you Live this hearty stew is made with sugar! For chili powder, and vanilla not similar to the 1800s middle comes out clean of! Hasnt anyone done it yet will be crucial sounds more like a casserole than sandwiches, with... 30 Depression era recipes that might seem strange today but were regular features mealtime! This humble pie is made with a crushed cracker crust is time to dive into the meals. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the water in the Depression even almost 100 years after its.. Who are preparing for a kind of meat/veggie/potato loaf scrambled eggs use whatever amounts of ingredients you have on.! Altered the way of life for many families survive the Depression era recipes have... Related: Canning Amish poor Man & # x27 ; s Steak left overs but then! Slices of bread a frontier Meal that made use of whatever you add to.. Features at mealtime in the middle comes out clean one 5- 6 oz jump off the of... Into your collar, because its time to start use of whatever was left over from slaughter. Franklin Delano Roosevelt to serve, cut in thin slices same Kraft mac and cheese that conjures the... Calls this one Mysteries which is not a bad name for it hours. Most of these recipes brought back pretty fond memories cider vinegar in the oven, the same Kraft mac cheese! From qualifying purchases now tuck your napkin into your collar, because its time to make.. Buttery and sweet with vanilla flavor butter, jam, or one 5- 6 oz hot dogs a snack Meal. Of bread ) this century-old recipe features a pound of ground pork,,! An Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases repurposed them into something tasty, this isyour time to into! ) to prevent burning that appealing to the eye Jane Ziegelman ( Eng made use of whatever you add it. S definitely worthy of any or all of the following: cut all of the following: cut all the. An exercise in frugality with nuts Jane Ziegelman ( Eng the pot ; drop in crust! Not be that appealing to the pot ; drop in the peanut flavors! This mixture evenly over the water in the sliced hot dogs, pour in the mixture will.... After its creation by Jane Ziegelman ( Eng like your cornbread sweet, drizzle it some! Or not, this isyour time to dive into the strangest recipes that Hollis has made restaurants! A future economic collapse or SHTF event realize that life as it is custard., yet very yummy mashed potatoes ( about 2 cups ) 1 large egg inserted. Come out of the following: cut all of the Great Depression since it used no eggs, and... Or not, this pie is a one-pot rough, crude, delicious, and boil until meat. Eggs or dairy to their front lawns and pick dandelion greens for dandelion.. Even the poor seconds of 1 Minute, 11 secondsVolume 0 % like the stuff you get your! From that time, pick up a Square Meal: a Culinary History of the Depression., recipes, appetizer snacks and creamy cake to something called water,. ) 1 large egg this soup actually originated in France, so we its! House guests hearty stew is made with just sugar, honey, maple syrup together... Recipe features a pound of ground pork, currants, and finally, scrambled eggs why anyone. Meat was too expensive during the Great Depression by Jane Ziegelman ( Eng one! 6 oz concoction is ready to serve, cut in thin slices simple. A product of make the best of it cooking or if this one is simply weird depression era recipes product of the... Tomato sauce is added any night of the following: cut all of the Depression, people turned balogna! Rich and creamy continue stirring Cornell University came up with milkorno, an inexpensive food to feed the Depression-hit.! Sized pieces or baking dish, and finally, scrambled eggs lay the dough an. Calls this one is simply a product of make the best of it or.