Woman's Own Cook Book (1964 edition) Anyone rec any good recipes from it?

sb44

I picked up an old copy of the Woman's Own Cook Book from the charity shop for 10p the other day.

I don't think it has been used much, it's in very good condition except for the yellow pages, it is nearly 50 years old though so you have to expect that.

It was worth it just to look at the pictures in there.

Has anyone got this old book and if so are there any recipes in there that you can recommend please?

Ta!

sb44

This blog that I stumbled across gives an idea of some of the recipes in the book.

http://muffinmums.blogspot.com/2011/05/womens-own-cook-book-1964.html

adelight

Do any of the meals actually look any good?
OH has some cook books that are 50-150 years old and most of the recipes sound unhealthy, weird or just plain disgusting :eek: And a few corkers like recipes for "cheese sandwich" "beans on toast" :rotfl:
A lot of the recipes can't have been very nice if noone makes them anymore.

[Deleted User]

I have a WI cook book from before the war from the Isle of Wight, my late OHs granny started the local branch where they lived in Northwood and its a hoot to see what folk thought to cook.The adds are great as well :)

Bronnie

I'm in shock and disbelief at the realisation that a book from 1964 is actually nearly 50 years old :eek:

If you're of a certain age, you'll know what I mean!

(BTW, they're on Amazon for between £8.75 and £20, so could be a nice little profit for you if you decide you don't fancy any of the recipes!)

sb44

adelight wrote: »

Do any of the meals actually look any good?
OH has some cook books that are 50-150 years old and most of the recipes sound unhealthy, weird or just plain disgusting :eek: And a few corkers like recipes for "cheese sandwich" "beans on toast" :rotfl:
A lot of the recipes can't have been very nice if noone makes them anymore.

I only got it the other day so not had much of a look at it yet.

I don't think it's a matter of recipes not being very nice so not made anymore, we eat a lot more 'foreign' food now than we did in the 60's.

My first experience of anything classed as foreign was a tin of Heinz spaghetti bolognaise and a Vesta Chow Mein! (not at the same time).

sb44

Bronnie wrote: »

I'm in shock and disbelief at the realisation that a book from 1964 is actually nearly 50 years old :eek:

If you're of a certain age, you'll know what I mean!

(BTW, they're on Amazon for between £8.75 and £20, so could be a nice little profit for you if you decide you don't fancy any of the recipes!)

I know what you mean, I was 50 last month, feel about 35 and luckily look younger than my age.

Wonder when that will change!

I wouldn't sell it as books that old seem to have a slightly musty smell to them.

monnagran

I still have my Jimmy Young cook books. For those too young to know what I mean, Jimmy Young used to have a morning radio show in which listeners used to send in recipes which he read out on the show. Quite a lot of them were collected into 4 little paperback booklets, I used them a lot in the 60s and 70s, and even taught my Dad to cook some of the recipes when he had to take over household duties and look after my Mum (dementia).

They were very easy, practical and didn't use too many ingredients, quite cheap too. Most things were what you would have had in the store cupboard anyway. I still make one or two things from his recipes.
I wrote out one recipe for Dad, a sort of mince thing cooked in oxtail soup, and when I came to the end,I said 'Well there you are, 'Bob's yer Uncle'. From that day on it was always called 'Bob's yer uncle

yorkiegal

I've just been going through my late dads things and came across my mum's old Woman's Own 1964 edition today and brought it home with me. I love this book as it reminds me of my childhood so much. I've always used the Christmas Cake recipe each year. Am just having a chuckle at some of the recipes. Roast Swan anyone?

FrugalFriend

On the topic of retro food recipes, there's some "lovely" pictures and recipes in Weight Watchers Recipe cards from 1974.
I'm not sure what the idea was. Maybe it was clever reverse psychology, that images of revolting food would put you off eating altogether, and thereby lose weight!

Islandmaid

JACKIEO - my MIL is a member of the Northwood WI - I will try to remember to ask her if they keep copies of things like that - I love old cook books even if its for the social history.