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Nana's CookBooks

@nanascookbooks.bsky.social

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Recipes and menus from my Nana's Cookbooks and other older cookbooks, sometimes pictures are included. 🌎SW Michigan 📚The Modern Family Cookbook 1943 📚 Betty Crocker's Picture Cook Book, 1950 📚The Fannie Farmer Cookbook, 1965 📚Joy of Cooking, 1975

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Nana's CookBooks @nanascookbooks.bsky.social · Jan 1

Welcome to my little side dish of a project exploring past cookbooks. I aim to look at recipes, meal plans, & menus from the 1900s to the 1970s. You can see what books I’m using in my profile.  🧵

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Nana's CookBooks @nanascookbooks.bsky.social · 19h

On Sunday, the midday meal was the big meal of the day.

Nana's CookBooks @nanascookbooks.bsky.social · 22h

Good Morning, #Foodsky! I hope you're waking up with a good appetite. Nana's Sunday Meal plan is up & I'm ready to hear your thoughts. I'm ready to dig into that breakfast as soon as possible. Sadly, I have other plans for Supper. 😉 What about you? 🍽️ 🍜 #Cooking #Recipes #RecipeOfTheDay #Menuoftheday

From 1943, The Modern Family Cookbook by Meta Givens

A meal plan for: SUNDAY

Breakfast
Sliced bananas
Poached eggs with bacon curls
Toast with butter, jam
Coffee for adults. cocoa for children

Dinner
Tomato juice cocktail
Roast duck 692 with gravy
Mashed potatoes
Buttered rutabaga
Radishes
Whole wheat bread and butter..
Apple delight with custard sauce
Coffee for adults. . milk for children

Supper
Date, cream cheese, and shredded lettuce salad
Bread and butter
Pineapple buttermilk

TIP:
Use your own ingenuity, not your neighbor's, when making salads!

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Nana's CookBooks @nanascookbooks.bsky.social · 1d

I've made date-nut balls for my husband before, and they were pretty good. No way, would I ever think to add mayo though.

Nana's CookBooks @nanascookbooks.bsky.social · 1d

Here you go!

From 1943, The Modern Family Cookbook by Meta Given

DATE NUT SPREAD

Mix ½ cup finely chopped walnuts, pecans or almonds with ¾ cup
finely chopped pitted dates.
Add a little lemon juice, if desired, and
enough mayonnaise to give a spreading consistency. Add salt to suit taste.
Makes about 1½ cups.

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Nana's CookBooks @nanascookbooks.bsky.social · 1d

You can make as many as you want. The numbers in this case refer to the recipe in the book.

Nana's CookBooks @nanascookbooks.bsky.social · 1d

It's hard to believe that Halloween is just a few days away. That means we get a special treat of another 1943 Party menu. Let me know if you'd like a specific recipe from the Menu. Popcorn Balls were a fun treat for me growing up. What about you?🍽️ 🍜 #FoodSky #Cooking #Recipes #Menuoftheday

From 1943, The Modern Family Cookbook by Meta Givens

A menu for a: HALLOWE'EN PARTY

Devilled Eggs
Date Nut Sandwiches
Doughnuts
Spiced Apple Cider
Popped Corn or Popcorn Balls
Taffy
Corn Candy

Wrapped and tagged popcorn balls may be used for place cards

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Nana's CookBooks @nanascookbooks.bsky.social · 1d

Ohhhh, I love this. Thanks for sharing.

Nana's CookBooks @nanascookbooks.bsky.social · 2d

1 of the 1st items that was rationed in the US for WW2 was Sugar. Nana's cookbook has a small supplemental guide for this that includes this recipe for Apple Betty. Would you try this wartime version today? Let me know below. 🍽️ 🍜 #FoodSky #Cooking #Recipes #RecipeOfTheDay

From 1943, The Modern Family Cookbook by Meta Givens

APPLE BETTY

1 lb. tart cooking apples
¾ cup corn syrup, light or dark
3 slices bread, toasted and buttered
½ teaspoon cinnamon
1 tablespoon lemon juice

Peel, core and slice apples. Cut toasted and buttered bread in ½-inch cubes. Mix together corn syrup, cinnamon and lemon juice. Place alternate layers of sliced apples and bread cubes in a buttered 6-cup casserole, saving ⅓ of the cubes for the top. Pour corn syrup mixture over apples and bread, and top with remaining bread cubes. Bake covered, in a moderate oven (350° F.), for about 20 minutes; then uncover and bake about 25 minutes longer. Serve warm or cold with top milk or cream.
4 servings.

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Nana's CookBooks @nanascookbooks.bsky.social · 3d

Honestly, I'd probably serve the cheesy bread on the side for dipping into the mixture.

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Nana's CookBooks @nanascookbooks.bsky.social · 3d

Betty Crocker is back today to try & make up for yesterday. Something savory, maybe? This would make a nice starter for a fall meal, but I'm no expert. Tell me what you think of this recipe from the 1950s.🍽️ 🍜 #FoodSky #Cooking #Recipes #RecipeOfTheDay

From 1950s The Betty Crocker Picture Cookbook

PETITE MARMITE

French for "small porridge bowls," the little casserole-like dishes in which this flavorful soup is served.
"C'est quelque chose!
C'est trés bon!" says our friend, Ed Sylvestre, with gusto.

Caramelize . . •
1½ tbsp. sugar
Add . .•
1½ qt. Brown or White Stock (Bouillon or Consommé)
1½ tbsp. butter
¾ cup cooked diced carrots
½ cup cooked diced onions
¾ cup cooked cut-up string beans
Bring to boiling point and pour into a casserole or individual casseroles.
Toast or brown in butter . . •
3 cups bread cubes (4 slices ½" thick)
Float cubed bread on top of soup. Sprinkle over all ...
¾ cup grated cheese
Place in a hot oven for 10 min. to melt cheese. Serve at once.
AMOUNT: 6 servings.

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Nana's CookBooks @nanascookbooks.bsky.social · 4d

Yes. In Nana's 1943 cookbook, I have a chili sauce recipe. I remember my Mom making it, and it smelled very vinegar-y.

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Nana's CookBooks @nanascookbooks.bsky.social · 4d

Deli's, at least by me, still have American Cheese blocks available in the case.

Nana's CookBooks @nanascookbooks.bsky.social · 4d

1950s Betty Crocker brings us today's dish of Lumberjack Macaroni. Still cheesy but with a little kick. I'm not sure if I'll get the kids to eat it, but maybe they'll take a little bite. What do you think about this macaroni twist? 🍽️ 🍜 #FoodSky #Cooking #Recipes #RecipeOfTheDay

From 1950s, The Betty Crocker Picture Cookbook

LUMBERJACK MACAIONI

Mr. James Ford Bell, founder of General Mills, world traveler, and epicure, actually made this dish for us himself in our test kitchen. It's one of his favorites.

Spread out on hot large platter. •
Boiled Macaroni (8 oz. uncooked)
Sprinkle with
2 cups grated American cheese (½ lb.)
2 to 4 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce or more
("Do not be sparing!" says Mr. Bell.)
¼ cup chili sauce salt and pepper to taste
Pour over all . ..
¾ cup piping hot melted butter
Mix with 2 forks until sauce is creamy.
Serve at once on hot plates.
AMOUNT: 6 servings

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Nana's CookBooks @nanascookbooks.bsky.social · 5d

Here's a side dish for dinner tonight to help use up your tomatoes. I imagine you could add some fresh herbs to the mix as well. I hope you can come up with a better main dish, as Nana is planning to serve broiled bologna as the main dish. Let me know below. 🍽️ 🍜 #FoodSky #Cooking #RecipeOfTheDay

From 1943, The Modern Family Cookbook by Meta Givens

ESCALLOPED TOMATOES

1 No. 2 tin tomatoes or 4 large fresh tomatoes
¾ teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon sugar
2 cups fresh bread crumbs
2 tablespoons butter
1 medium onion, chopped

Combine tomatoes with half the bread crumbs and stir in onion, salt and sugar. Turn into buttered casserole. Brown rest of bread crumbs in the butter in a saucepan or skillet, and sprinkle over top of casserole. Place in a moderate oven (375° F.) for about 15 to 20 minutes, or until hot through.
5 servings.

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Nana's CookBooks @nanascookbooks.bsky.social · 5d

1 of the fun things about going through old cookbooks is the recipes of things you've never heard of. ☺️

Nana's CookBooks @nanascookbooks.bsky.social · 6d

That is my assumption as well.

Nana's CookBooks @nanascookbooks.bsky.social · 6d

Let's start the week out with a ncie easy Bread recipe. This Peanut Bread from 1943 is simple enough for a weeknight bake and then you have a nice treat to go with breakfast the rest of the week. Assuming you're not allergic, can Nana interest you in a slice? 🍽️ 🍜 #FoodSky #Cooking #RecipeOfTheDay

From 1943, The Modern Family Cookbook by Meta Givens

PEANUT BREAD

1¾ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon soda
½ teaspoon salt
⅓ cup peanut butter
1 egg, well beaten
1 cup buttermilk
1 cup brown sugar, firmly packed

Sift flour, measure, and resift with soda and salt. Combine sugar and peanut butter, mixing well; add well-beaten egg and beat until smooth.
Add four mixture and buttermilk alternately, beating until smooth after each addition. Turn into buttered loaf pan (4 by 8 by 2½ inches) and bake in a moderate oven (350° F.) for 1 hour, or until well browned.
1 Loaf

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Nana's CookBooks @nanascookbooks.bsky.social · 7d

My Goodness, Nana's Sunday menu has all types of good stuff for this Sunday. Will you be stopping by for Sunday Dinner or Sunday Supper? Let me know below. Interested in a specific recipe, let me know that below, too. 🍽️ 🍜 #FoodSky #Cooking #Recipes #RecipeOfTheDay #Menuoftheday

From 1943, The Modern Family Cookbook by Meta Givens

A Meal Plan for SUNDAY

Breakfast
Grapefruit.
Rolled oats with top milk
Toast with butter
Broiled bacon
Coffee for adults. . milk for children

Dinner
Braised shortribs of beef with gravy....
Mashed potatoes
Buttered spinach
Bread and butter, celery
Buttermilk raisin pie
Coffee for adults.. milk for children

Supper
Toasted cheese sandwiches
Stewed tomatoes
Raw apples
Milk for all.

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Nana's CookBooks @nanascookbooks.bsky.social · 8d

Prepared cereal would be cornflakes or the like.

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Nana's CookBooks @nanascookbooks.bsky.social · 8d

Nana's Saturday meal plan is available for your viewing. Nana better set a couple of extra plates for lunch, b/c who can resist a good Cherry Cobbler? What do you think of this meal plan from 1943? Let me know your thoughts below. 🍽️ 🍜 #FoodSky #Cooking #Recipes #RecipeOfTheDay #Menuoftheday

From 1943, The Modern Family Cookbook by Meta Givens

SATURDAY

Concord grapes
Prepared cereal with top milk
Soft-cooked eggs
Toast with butter
Coffee for adults...milk for children

Luncheon
Creamed carrots and celery on toast..
Head lettuce with 1000 Island dressing
Cherry cobbler
Tea for adults. . milk for children..

Dinner
Lentil stew with ham
Buttered beets
Whole wheat bread and butter.
Fruit salad
Floating island
Coffee for adults. milk for children

Heat the crackers. Stale cold ones do nothing for any soup.

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Nana's CookBooks @nanascookbooks.bsky.social · 9d

Let's go into the weekend with a good, solid dinner tonight. Nana suggests this concoction. Pasta, Ham, White Sauce. How good this goes wrong. Let me know if you want a plate at Nana's table tonight. There may be a piece of yesterday's pie too. 🍽️ 🍜 #FoodSky #Cooking #Recipes #RecipeOfTheDay

From 1943, The Modern Family Cookbook by Meta Givens

SPAGHETTI SOUFFLÉ WITH CREAMED HAM

¾ package spaghetti (5-6 oz.)
3 eggs, separated
2 tablespoons butter
3 cups unseasoned medium white sauce
3 tablespoons flour
1 teaspoon salt
2½ cups diced cooked ham
1½ cups milk
Salt and pepper to suit taste
Dash pepper

Drop broken spaghetti into 1½ quarts boiling salted water and boil uncovered until just tender (about 20 minutes). Drain, rinse well with hot water, and again drain.
Melt butter, blend in four and salt, add milk,
and stir over direct heat until sauce boils and thickens. Cool and stir in pepper and beaten egg yolks; fold in spaghetti. Beat egg whites until stiff and fold in thoroughly.
Turn into buttered casserole or ring mold and
bake in a moderately slow oven (325° F.) for 45 to 50 minutes, or until a sharp knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Combine unseasoned white sauce with the ham, and season to suit taste. Unmold spaghetti soufflé onto hot platter and serve with creamed ham. Macaroni may be used in place of spaghetti. 5 servings.

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Nana's CookBooks @nanascookbooks.bsky.social · 10d

If Fall were a pie, it would be Apple Crisp. Well, at least I think so. This recipe from 1965 Fannie Farm gives a corn flake version and a Peach version. Which version would you like to try? I'll grab some ice cream while you make up your mind. Let me know your decision below. 🍽️ 🍜 #FoodSky

From 1965, The Fannie Farm Cookbook

Apple Crisp (Apple Candy Pie)

Butter a deep baking dish. Put in it
4 cups peeled sliced tart apples
½ cup water (less for juicy apples)
Mix with a fork
¾ cup flour
1 cup white or brown sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
½ cup butter
¼ teaspoon salt
Spread over the apples.
Bake at 350° until the apples are tender and the crust brown (about 30 minutes).
Serve with
Cream or whipped cream
Serves 6 to 8.

Corn Flake Apple Crisp. Use 1 cup crushed corn flakes in place of flour. Melt the butter and stir it in.

Peach Crumble Pie. Slice peaches into a shallow baking dish. Sprinkle with the crumb mixture and bake as above.

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Nana's CookBooks @nanascookbooks.bsky.social · 11d

We've reached the middle of the week, & what would help get us to the weekend? A nice Soufflé. This 1943 Meat Soufflé is an easy recipe, & chef's choice for the meat. What meat would be your choice if you're making this tonight? Let me know below. 🍽️ 🍜 #FoodSky #Cooking #Recipes #RecipeOfTheDay

From 1943, The Modern Family Cookbook by Meta Givens

MEAT SOUFFLÊ

3 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons flour
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup milk
3 eggs, separated
1 cup chopped cooked meat (any kind)

Melt butter, blend in flour, add salt and milk, and stir constantly until sauce boils and thickens, over direct heat. Stir hot sauce slowly into the well-beaten egg yolks; add chopped meat and cool a few minutes. Beat egg whites until stiff and fold into meat mixture; turn into a well-buttered
6-cup casserole. Bake in a moderately slow oven (325° F.) for about 1 hour, or until nicely browned. Serve immediately. 5 servings.

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Nana's CookBooks @nanascookbooks.bsky.social · 12d

Sorry to let you down.

Nana's CookBooks @nanascookbooks.bsky.social · 12d

Here's a breakfast recipe for you to consider for the weekend or maybe a fancy Brinner. 1965 Fannie Farmer gives us 3 options for cooking eggs in liquids: Cream, Wine, or Tomato Sauce. Which would you choose? Let me know below. 🍽️ 🍜 #FoodSky #Cooking #Recipes #RecipeOfTheDay

From 1965, The Fannie Farmer Cookbook

Eggs à la Suisse

Melt in a small omelet pan
1 tablespoon butter
Add
1 cup cream
Slip in, one at a time
4 eggs
Sprinkle with
Salt, pepper and cayenne
Cook slowly until the whites are nearly firm. Sprinkle with
2 tablespoons grated cheese
Continue cooking until the whites are firm. Serve on
Buttered toast
Pour the cream from the pan over the eggs. If you like, season the cream with
Sherry to taste.
Serves 4.

Eggs in White Wine. Use dry white wine in place of cream.

Eggs in Tomato Sauce. Use Tomato Sauce in place of cream. Season to taste with minced thyme, basil or parsley, or a combination of herbs. Heat a piece of garlic in the sauce, if desired.

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