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.

THE LATE PORTER WAGNER'S FUDGE RECIPE

According to the late country music great, his mother taught him this recipe when he was a youngster.

2 cups sugar
2 heaping tbsps cocoa
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 cup Log Cabin syrup
milk as needed
2 tbsp butter
1 tsp vanilla
2 tbsps peanut butter
1/2 cup chopped English walnuts

Mix sugar, cocoa, salt and syrup in a saucepan. Add enough milk to make it soupy, but very thick. Bring to a boil and boil until the sugar is dissolved (4 to 5 minutes). Test for doneness by dropping a spoonful into a cup of cold water until it forms a soft ball. Remove from the heat and add butter and vanilla. Stir until it begins to cool. Add the peanut butter and walnuts. Pour into a large platter until it cools then cut into squares.

Note: File Folder

1950s Palmer Candy Factory

I love this.

 

MRS. CLEVELAND'S WEDDING LUNCH

 The menu for the White House wedding lunch for Mrs. Cleveland June 4TH, 1886!

BEE CHASERS ICE CREAM

This is an old recipe from my late mother, however, I have never tasted it. I cannot stand homemade ice cream, in fact I don't really care for ice cream at all.

6 eggs
1 1/2 cups honey
2 2/3 tbsp vanilla
1/4 tsp salt
2 cans (14-oz each) sweetened condensed milk
Whole Milk

In a large bowl, mix together the eggs, honey, vanilla, salt, and sweetened condensed milk; mix well. Pour mixture into a 1 gallon ice cream freezer container. Add enough whole milk to fill the container. Freeze according to the manufacturer's instructions.

File photo

2022

 May you have many pleasant memories in this new year as you make many more.

HONEYBEAR BROWNIES

A good old fashion brownie recipe I got from a hand written recipe blog I belong to.

1970S CRANBERRY COOKIES

1/2 cup butter, softened

1 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup milk
2 tbsp orange juice
1 egg
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp baking soda
1 cup chopped pecans
2 1/2 cups coarsely chopped frozen cranberries

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Lightly grease cookie sheets; set aside.

Cream the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together. Stir in the milk, orange juice, and egg.

Combine the flour, baking powder, salt, and baking soda together. Add the flour mixture to the creamed mixture. Stir in the chopped pecans and the chopped cranberries.

Drop the dough by teaspoonfuls about 2 minutes apart on the prepared baking sheets. Bake 10 to 15 minutes until lightly browned. Allow to cool about 1 minute on baking sheets. Remove to wire racks to cool completely.

Yield: 11 dozen cookies

file photo for reference