The Mid-Century Menu

Whew, welcome back after my two week absence! I had to have some surgery done on my jaw, and let me tell you it wasn’t pleasant. But, thanks to our parents and lots of Carnation Instant Breakfast, I am back on track and ready to bring you another hilarious, and somewhat mushy, recipe. This is Zucchini Weenie! This recipe is from the Sunset Kitchen Cabinet Recipes Volume II, which covers the recipes published in Sunset Magazine from 1934 to 1938. These are unique books, not just because of the interesting recipes, but because many...

The other day I asked Alex what she wanted for lunch. She said, “Rice, carrots and cheese.” “Okay. Do you want them separately, or all together?” “All together. A casserole, please. A big casserole.” “I can do that.” I said. “I’m sure there is a mid-century recipe for that.” This is Golden Cheese And Rice! This recipe comes from my rather large collection of random newspaper clippings that I have kicking around. They kind of pop out of every drawer in our house, whenever you decide to look for something you come...

Our cup overfloweth with raspberries around here this week, so I decided to whip up a pie. This is Raspberry Custard Pie! This recipe comes from the Favorite Recipes of the Lutheran Brotherhood book, which was printed in 1972. This recipe had a couple of things that intrigued me. First off, it has a vague cooking time. Then, they don’t tell you what to do with the two cups of milk. Where does it go? No one knows.  For some reason, I always want to try a recipe with vague directions or cooking times. Also, three eggs is kind...

The Fourth of July is almost upon us, so I thought I would give you all the gift of cake. Rocket-ship cake. This is Cake Canaveral!   So, my friend Carolyn (of the Aspic Aquarium) and I decided to make something on the crazy side for the Fourth of July. We were originally planning on doing some sort of gelatin thing, but then I was paging through the Better Homes & Gardens cookbook Birthdays And Family Celebrations when I came across this beauty: It was entitled “Cake Canaveral”. I was immediately sold. How could I not with...

This week we have a real treat. This is potato salad molded into a log and spiked with canned corned beef. Because we know how to live over here. This is Potato Salad Roll! I have to admit, I was especially excited about decorating it. Now, it has come to my attention that not many people cook with canned corn beef anymore. So I thought I would give you guys a glimpse inside the can. Yep, it looks pretty much like cat food. Smells like it, too. And I’m not talking smack about the corned beef, either.  I actually like canned corned...

I’ve got lots and lots of rhubarb right now in my garden, so I am trying in vain to use it all up. And though I have lots of great recipes to choose from, I wanted to whip up something new. Well, new to me anyway. These are Rosy Rhubarb Swirls! They are from one of my favorite books, Farm Journal’s Country Cookbook from 1959. Now, if you think these look familiar, they do. A couple weeks ago I tried the from-scratch cousin to these, Quick Vinegar Rolls. I came across these recipes at about the same time while digging through my...

This week we have yet another deviled egg recipe. I can’t stop, and I don’t know if I want to. This is Deviled Egg Casserole! This also is another newspaper recipe this week. If anyone can find the paper and the year, I would appreciate it! (I’m looking at you, Camille!) The recipe has 1968 written on the back, which may or may not be accurate. I feel like I should have busted this out after Easter. This seems like a casserole that should be made either to be served with or with leftovers from Easter dinner. It is asparagus season...

This week we are making some cinnamon biscuits and topping them with apple cider vinegar syrup! These are Quick Vinegar Rolls! This recipe is from a recipe box I picked up a few years ago. It’s a newspaper clipping, and I’m not sure what newspaper it’s from, but it has 1969 helpfully written on the back. I have never made a batch of rolls where I pour straight liquid over them before I put them in the oven, so when I saw these I was excited to try them and see what happened! This was a good dough for making into...

This week I am bringing you something a bit different! On Mother’s Day weekend I was lucky enough to be able to go to the Mid-Century dinnerware exhibit in Ann Arbor, Michigan that was put on by The Dinnerware Museum. It was an adorable little exhibit that was in a great venue, and since most of you probably didn’t attend, I thought I would bring the exhibit to you. Some childrens’s Russel Wright, anyone? Here is Tom chatting it up with one of The Dinnerware Museum owners. They were lovely people and very knowledgeable. Apparently...