MIXED VEGETABLE SALAD

Another old recipe from my Southern Indiana roots.

1 can green beans
1 can kidney beans
1 can peas
1 can lima beans
1/2 cup diced onion
2 cups diced celery
1 cup diced green bell pepper
3 tbsp pimento

Drain the green beans, kidney beans, peas, and lima beans; mix lightly together. Add the onion, celery, bell pepper, and pimento; toss to blend and set aside.

1 cup sugar
2 tbsp cornstarch
1/2 tsp salt
dash of freshly ground pepper
1 cup vinegar
1/2 cup water
2 tbsp mustard

In a medium saucepan combine the sugar, cornstarch, salt, and pepper. Stir in the vinegar, water, and mustard. Cook over medium heat until the mixture boils, stirring frequently. Pour dressing over the vegetable mixture until well coated. Store any leftover dressing in the refrigerator in a covered container. It will keep indefinitely.

file photo for reference only - not this exact recipe

INTERESTING INFORMATION FROM EARLY 1900s

I know most of my regular readers enjoy old bits of information as much as I do.  Today I came across the following information from the early 1900s (1900-1909): Thought you might be interested to know that in 1900 sugar was 4 cents a pound!  

Eggs were selling for 14 cents per dozen and butter was 25 cents a pound.

The Minnesota Valley Canning Company in Le Sueur began packing peas and corn in cans.  (Have you ever wondered how Le Sueur peas got their name?)

Auguste Escoffier of London's Carlton Hotel stated that coffee should only be served at the end of the meal.  In his wisdom he also added that fruit is the only appropriate food to serve after pastries.

Honeydew melons were introduced in the United States.

The United States' first pizzeria opened.  It was in New York City.

James Beard was born in 1904.

Very important timesavers for cooks debuted including the electric toaster and drip coffeemakers!

The first recipe for the now popular Devil's Food Cake appeared in print.

The United States Government enacted the first law to protect America's food supply.  It was known as The Pure Food and Drug Act.

An early, possibly first, toaster.

NORMA'S OLD FASHION CREAM PIE

Norma and my mom were best friends in the high school days. Later Norma's husband was my daughter's school bus driver.

1 cup white sugar

1 cup brown sugar

1 egg, beaten

4 level T. flour

1 1/2 cup milk

Pinch of salt

1 tsp. melted butter

1/4 tsp. nutmeg or cinnamon

Mix together and put in unbaked pie shell. Bake at 350 degrees until firm.

file photo for reference only

FOR A SUMMER DRAUGHT

(From the White House Cookbook, 1894)

The juice of one lemon, a tumblerful of cold water, pounded sugar to taste, half a small teaspoonful of carbonate of soda. Squeeze the juice from the lemon; strain and add it to the water, with sufficient pounded sugar to sweeten the whole nicely. When well mixed, put in the soda, stir well and drink while the mixture is in an effervescing state.