DepressionEra

Recession Proof (Depression and Wartime Coping)

This section also contains recipes from the passing of the Edwardian Era into the Roaring Twenties. This section ends as World War II ends.

New appliances of the ‘30s and ‘40s: refrigerators, gas stoves, mixers, dishwashers

• 1910 – Gas ranges begin to phase out coal, wood and petroleum stoves. Kitchen cabinets appear; pantries begin to disappear
• 1915 – Frigidaire markets a “self-contained” electric refrigerator
• 1919 – Kitchen Aid introduces a standing electric mixer (its design remains little changed today)
• 1920s – Prohibition begins
• 1930 – The electric range arrives.
• 1931 – Free standing sinks give way to built-ins. General electric introduces the “monitor top” electric refrigerator.
• 1933 – Prohibition ends

Old American equivalents :

• 1 dessert spoon = 2 teaspoons
• 2 coffee spoons = 1 teaspoon
• 1 cooking spoon = 1 Tablespoon
• 1 saltspoon =1/4 teaspoon
• 1 wineglass = 2 oz or 1/4 cup
• 1 teacup = 1/2 cup
• butter the size of an egg = 1/4 cup
• 1 gill = 1/2 cup/125ml

Meal Planning Rules :

p. 188 75 Years (1923)

• 1. Not over two starchy dishes
• 2. One meat or some such dish as omelet or macaroni and cheese or cheese loaf
• 3. One fresh or leafy green vegetable or fruit
• 4. A balance of dry and of creamed foods
• 5. One acid and one sweet dish
• 6. No two foods cooked the same way, as fried, creamed, etc.
• 7. Don’t over-clog the system with sugar and fat
• 8. Don’t serve meat and dishes containing such things as beans, cheese or eggs in the same meal.

Popular and Newly Introduced Ingredients

1911 – Proctor & Gamble develops hydrogenated vegetable shortening and calls it Crisco.

1930s - The Great Depression. Popular “frugal” foods: macaroni and cheese, creamed chipped beef on toast, salmon loaf, meat loaf, spaghetti with meat balls, roast beef hash, casseroles.

Wikipedia: Depression Cake: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Depression_cake

In my own mental picture, Depression Era on a positive note for those who would have not been decimated financially, is much akin to classic Southern Food. People who lived on farms didn't starve. Labor unrest. New Deal. WPA. Documented by Library of Congress - America Eats project - http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/treasures/tri098.html and http://www.chow.com/grinder/tag/america+eats and http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4176589

The "casual dining restaurant" food probably is still remembered in our classic Diner cuisine. Middle class transport was more streetcar than private automobile

Ethnicities that began to be enfolded into the American Cuisine in this era include:

• Italian
• Mexican
• Cantonese-Chinese

Those financially well off were enjoying the golden era of travel, on steamships and railways.

Those who slipped through the cracks: hobos and tramps

Movies: golden age of animation, golden age of hollywood, noir, beginning of cowboy movies

southern depression era chili parlor: http://www.hardtimes.com/ourstory/decor.asp

"they say the Mothers during the Depression era saved their families from starvation because they knew how to make biscuits and gravy. Just always make sure you have flour in the house and some shortening and your family will never go without. You can make gravy and biscuits with no milk or meat. You can just use water instead of milk. You could flavor the gravy with onions if you have no meat. Or use some cheese if ya have that. " http://www.happyhousewifery.com/wp/?p=677

Youtube: 91 year old cook and great grandmother, Clara, recounts her childhood during the Great Depression as she prepares meals from the era. Learn how to make simple yet delicious dishes while listening to stories from the Depression.

• Pasta with Peas - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DuMkW35BwK8
• Egg Drop Soup - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yREFkmrrYiw
• Poorman's Meal (Potatoes and Hot Dogs) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3OPQqH3YlHA

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