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!