WWII cookery books

soba

Hello all, I recently went on a visit to the imperial war museum in Manchester, and I'd like to take a look at some recipes from the WWII era. Can anyone recommend a book (or books) that would get me started. At the moment all I can come up with is Margueritte Pattens' 'We'll eat again' and 'The Ration book diet' which I believe is a modern take on recipes from that time.
Thanks,soba

catznine

Marguerite Pattens books are probably the best that are still in print but for a truly authentic experience you could try on ebay for the original book e.g. Stork produced one during the war and there is another by the writer Ambrose Heath, these are popular though and can end up quite pricey.

I have just been given a little book that was my Nanas with some of her recipes from that era, only a few and I guess she liked ginger a lot!:D

Pink.

Hi soba,

I know you would prefer a book, but if you google world war+recipes you should find some. I found this link interesting.

Pink

Queen.Bess

Englsih Heritage sell Marguerite Patten books and I have always been tempted. But just looked on my local library website and there are lots available, so might be worth having a look in the library to see if you like the recipes. Then you could do what I do and photocopy the recipes!

Just searched again and Gill Corbishley does a ration cook book by looks of things!

FunkyFairy

I have 3 of her books she is fab.

I have made loads of her stuff it comes out well each time.

They also have facts about food during the war too very interesting.

pounds_and_pensive

One of my favourite books is 'The Reckitt and Colman Book of the Home', which I picked up in a jumble sale about twenty years ago. If you see this one anywhere online, then grab it - I think it's fantastic.

It's not dated, but is obviously from the thirties or forties. As well as all the recipes, hints, unrealistic routines for 'taking care of baby' (to my eyes, anyway) and wonderful Old Style wisdom, there are some really fascinating adverts for the products of the era, some in full colour.

Much as I love it for it's common sense, my very battered copy has also provided me with a lot of mirth too. Even now I laugh every time I see the advert in which a husband comes home and the first thing he says is something like 'Darling! Our fireplace is GLEAMING!' I can't even imagine mine noticing, much less commenting so enthusiastically

I'm now inspired to tackle more of the non-essential unpacking from our move nearly a month ago ('blush' at the procrastination). I just KNOW that book's in that mountain of boxes somewhere

thriftlady_2

I'd have to agree that the Marguerite Patten books are the best. There are 3,mine came in a box set called The Wartime Kitchen. They are;We'll Eat Again, The Victory Cookbook and The Postwar Kitchenwhich deals with the time up until 1954 when rationing was finally over.

I've seen these 3 books published as one paperback called Feeding The Nation and another single volume called something else that I can't remember:o they are often on sale at places like The Works. I think the 3 separate books are better as the compendiums have some recipes missing and one of them has no index.

A couple of others I have are; Wartime Recipes published by Jarrold Publishing and Ration Book Cookeryby Gill Corbishley (pub by English Heritage). These are both tiny little books but have plenty of recipes.

Another good book is The Wartime Kitchen and Garden by Jennifer Davies.This was a TV series like the Victorian Kitchen and Garden, it had the same people in.The book isn't a cookbook but does have a smattering of recipes and is a jolly good read. Unfortunately the series is unavailable on DVD, how I would love it;)

The Ration Book Diet has some authentic recipes, but is, like you say a modern take on rationing. I don't recommend it for your purposes. It is quite informative but nowhere does it state what the rations actually were or how to go about implementing them today.

It is always worth checking out Past Times as they often have wartime stuff. In 2003 they did a wartime calendar with a recipe for each month and wonderful posters and adverts. I was looking at it just before I came on here and saw this thread;)

Finally the internet does have a lot of authentic recipes as peole have already mentioned.

This might be of interest

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/3847041.stm

HTH:) And remember 'Don't take more than you need. A clear plate means a clear conscience.'

thriftlady_2

For other wartime obsessed folks don't forget that Foyle's War is on tonight (ITV2 I think at 10pm);)

Pink.

Hi soba,

I had a look around and found these older threads that might interest you:

Book on World War Rationing ?

go back to days of yore

The Victory Cookbook by Marguerite Patten

Pink

thriftlady_2

Just been browsing on Amazon and they've got this one due out soon (my birthday actually:D )

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Good-Eating-Suggestions-Wartime-Dishes/dp/0230014348/ref=pd_nr_b_49/202-4560088-2422211?ie=UTF8&s=books

stellagypsy

I have the Marguerite Patten Victory Cookbook from the book club man who comes in to our office which is really good. I got it because I recalled my mother having a book she got from the Daily Mirror inthe 1940's and it was all cartoons, it featured a young wife called Patsy and how she learned to cook. I can't remember what happened to it, I recall really enjoying reading it when I was a little girl (in the early 60's) and thinking of them using wierd stuff like dried egg!! Has anyone else seen this book?

Srella xx