KITCHEN TRIVIA FROM THE SECOND DECADE OF THE TWENTIETH CENTURY

1910 through 1919 was the second decade of the twentieth century. A terrible thing for all Americans was WWI from 1914 to 1918 resulting in the following:

• The war brought serious food shortages which caused soaring prices making life hard in the American kitchens. 
• More Americans planted gardens for their food.
• Eggless and butterless cakes became popular from necessity.
• Meals without meat often became necessary.
• Rationing of sugar in 1918.
• Vegetable shortening often replaced hard-to-get lard.
• America saw a rise in processed foods such as Oreos, hamburger buns, and Hellmann's mayonnaise.
• Self-service grocery stores were introduced in California in 1912.
• Piggly Wiggly was the first supermarket chain after it opened in Memphis, Tennessee in 1916.

CAN YOU BELIEVE IT? 2

More fun facts from the early 1900s. I love trivia and tidbits of history. I hope you enjoy these, too.

Ever wonder where the brand Le Sueur peas,etc came from?  In the early 1900s the Minnesota Valley Canning Company began packing corn and peas in cans.

America's 1st pizzeria opened in New York City. I wonder how many pizzeria's are in NYC today. When I worked in NYC in the 1980s it seemed there was a pizzeria on almost every block.

Housewives and cooks were excited with new kitchen items that came on the market: Drip coffeemakers and Electric toasters.

Chocolate lovers rejoice. The first recipe for Devil's Food Cake was printed.

file photo

CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?

Thinking of our supermarkets today it is amazing to think of the following facts from the early 1900s:

• Tuna was first put in cans to be sold on store shelves.
• Sugar was 4 cents a pound.
• Butter was 25 cents a pound.
• Eggs were 14 cents a dozen.

I can remember as a young girl going with my grandma to a neighbors farm and buying eggs for some change. This was in the 1950s.

BIRDIE CAKE

Another old recipe from my home state of Indiana.

2 cups sugar
2 large eggs
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp baking soda
2-lb can crushed pineapple with juice (don't drain)
1/2 cup water
1 tsp vanilla extract

Cream the eggs and sugar together.  Add the rest of the ingredients and mix until well blended.  Pour into a greased 9 x 13-inch baking pan at 350 degrees for 45 to 50 minutes.

TOPPING:
1/4 cup butter (1/2 stick)
1 tsp vanilla extract
3-oz pkg cream cheese
1/2 lb powdered sugar

Soften the butter and cream cheese to room temperature.  Add the vanilla and powdered sugar.  Spread on the cake while the cake is still warm.

This makes a very moist cake yet uses very little fat.

file photo for reference only