Cookery in Colour (1960)

[samyurai76.livejournal.com]

 So, as promised, here are some (rather rotten) shots of a couple of my cookery books. First up Cookery in Colour: A picture encyclopedia for every occasion, by Marguerite Patten dating from 1960 (this is the seventh, 1966 impression). For those not in the know, Marguerite Patten was the doyenne of wartime cookery in Britain during the Second World War and she is, remarkably, still going strong!



Here's a taster of the more bizarre (at least to our eyes) recipes listed therein. 

First up, 'Giant Salad Sandwich'. 



This monstrosity is concocted from cottage cheese, whipped cream, mayonnaise, bread and 'various fillings' (suggestions include 'lamb's brains and chopped walnuts').

Should you be game enough to make it, here's the recipe:



Next up, 'Banana Surprise'. Yep, if this was served up you'd certainly be, err, surprised (it doesn't help that the colour photography is a bit off).



And finally for your delectation, Risotto. I particularly enjoy the comment at the end, 'For a real risotto add 4-8 chopped chicken livers'. Are you sure?



Enjoy!

Comments

[missdiane.livejournal.com]

Those look wonderfully AWFUL! I find the intricately decorated loaf especially intriguing - running cottage cheese through a sieve? Really? Who would have had time for that sort of nonsense? The fact that it looks like a fluffy dessert yet has the suggestion to add lambs brains reminds me of the episode of Friends where Rachel mixes up the recipe for shepherd's pie and makes a trifle with ground beef and peas.

[samyurai76.livejournal.com]

Indeed, *who* would have time?! I guess this post-War period was all about impressing and confounding your dinner guests! (And I suspect it was aspirational cooking too). To be fair, there are some good, staple recipes in this book. Her cheese fondue with cider is incredible and I've made a pretty awesome Prawn Cocktail from the recipe in this book too. And there's loads of information about bottling and preserving fruit and veg, and making jams, jellies and various types of bread. I definitely intend to try out a few more of the recipes, excepting the offal-based ones, of course. :S

[zaftig46.livejournal.com]

I gotta agree, that prawn cocktail was pretty awesome!

[samyurai76.livejournal.com]

Must have another retro night soon!

[weelisa.livejournal.com]

The banana surprise is that anyone would eat something that ~looked~ like that...

[acexkeikai.livejournal.com]

I have to admit I used to eat that sandwich cake when I was a child, it was the main event. They still sell the loaf of bread sliced on the wrong side at Christmas around here so there are still people making those.

[chatananas.livejournal.com]

Hahaha, the dreaded "pain sandwich". The staple of every Christmas meal! In my family anyway. I thought it was a cake with vanilla frosting. Oh, the surprise when I took my first bite...

[acexkeikai.livejournal.com]

Outch yeah when you think it's sweet and you get a mouthfull of ham sandwich mixed in with egg... yeah not fun and those yucky olive suffed with pimentoes..:shudder::... of course NOW I like them ^^

[misstiajournal.livejournal.com]

could you post the banana butter recipe please?

[samyurai76.livejournal.com]

No probs - will put it in a separate post.

[outsdr.livejournal.com]

Yeah, that banana surprise looks like it would be an unpleasant one, lol.

[helflaed.livejournal.com]

I have that book too, as does my mother. Actually I have two as my first copy has been used so much that it is disintegrating!

I love this book. I have yet to make a recipie from it which has not worked. The lemon meringue pie is awesome, and I last used it a couple of days ago when I needed to check quantities for strawberry jam.

Mind you, a lot of the recipies were pretty advanced for the time- don't forget that when this was published the only place you could get olive oil in the UK was at a pharmacy, for treating sore ears. She worked out the best substitutions she could, and made them work.

[glass-houses.livejournal.com]

The first one looks absolutely barfalicious!

Cookery In Colour

[james monroe (from livejournal.com)]

Can anyone who owns this book confirm whether recipe number "21" is "Calf Liver Pate"? My wife owned a book with a title something like "Cookery In Colour", but the dog ate it! Truthfully! She one it as a prize when young, so I'd like to replace it.

I bought a copy of the "International Coookery in Colour" but that isn't it.

Greatly appreciated any help!

James

Re: Cookery In Colour

[samyurai76.livejournal.com]

It is indeed!

Re: Cookery In Colour

[james monroe (from livejournal.com)]

Many many thanks! Now to track down a copy!

James