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

ADVICE FROM 1949

This is not a recipe but it does mention doing the dishes! I love this and just had to share. My, how times have changed!

1928 BAKER'S COCONUT AD

Just for fun - I love seeing these old ads!

A GOOD BREAD

I love this vintage ad from Gold Medal Flour. I thought you might enjoy it, too.

QUOTES FROM THE ORIGINAL 1894 WHITE HOUSE COOKBOOK

Don't, when you drink, elevate your glass as if you were going to stand it inverted on your nose. Bring the glass perpendicularly to the lips, and then lift it to a slight angle. Do this easily.

Drink sparingly while eating. It is far better for the digestion not to drink tea or coffee until the meal is finished. Drink gently, and not pour it down your throat like water turned out of a pitcher.

1958

This post is not a recipe but interesting anyway.

QUANTITIES TO SERVE 100

I found this list in an old church cookbook.  It lists quantities needed for serving 100 people.  I thought it interesting that it stated to serve 50 divide by 2 and to serve 25 divide by 4.  Evidently they didn't think women were very good in math!

• 3 lbs coffee
• 3 quarts cream
• 4 pints whipping cream
• 6 gallons milk
• 2 1/2 gallons fruit cocktail
• 5 gallons soup
• 25 lbs weiners
• 40 lbs ham
• 30-36 lbs hamburger
• 35 lbs potatoes
• 5 gallon baked beans
• 10 loaves bread
• 3 lbs butter
• 12 quarts potato salad
• 18 pies
• 8 cakes
• 4 gallons ice cream
• 3 lbs cheese
• 2 quarts pickles
• 3 lbs assorted nuts

COWBOY COFFEE

Just for fun  -  thought you might enjoy this fun recipe for Cowboy Coffee and this old picture of the Cartwrights singing Christmas carols.  I'm sure Hop Sing had prepared them a wonderful Christmas feast!