Book on World War Rationing ?

Eliza252

Hi, this sounds a bit mad - but does anyone know of a book on rationing during the world war? Ie. A bit about the history (just cus im interested!) but also maybe recipes etc, little tips for stretching food a bit further - There are a multitude of excellent tips on this site (endless in fact!) but I'm sure there could be some good tips in a book and pictures too!
I am wheeling out the rationing again for my own war on credit card bills!

elona

I think www.thebookpeople.co.uk have some books on this subject.:rotfl:

HOLsale

i'm not certain if this is exactly what you're after but Marguerite Patten worked for the ministry of food during the war years and she wrote several books on the history which include loads of war time adverts and recipes as they were during that time period. rations are listed in some of the books (i have the set so i can't remember which one exactly) the books in the set are:

The War-Time Kitchen: Nostalgic Food and Facts
We'll Eat Again: A Collection of Recipes from the War Years
The Victory Cookbook: Celebratory Food on Rations!

i recommend them all as she is an excellent writer and the recipes are not bad!

Galtizz

Who needs a book when you can find it on MSE
This is a really old thread but there are rationing amounts, receipes and more. As with all old style threads, it goes a little off topic at times but there is lots of info on there.

There is a link to THIS website which also gives lots of recipes and info.

Found some more websites;

Information
Making Do and rationing
Wartime menu
Recipes
Helpful memories

THIRZAH

There's also "Bombers and Mash" by Raynes Minns- I got my copy from Past Times

Another excellent book which may not be in print is Nella Last's War - a true diary of a housewife in Barrow in Furness during the war. She describes the meals she makes, her work on a hospital committee, in a Red Cross shop and in a canteen.My copy was published by Falling Wall Press in 1981.

Eliza252

wow! Thanks for the great tips - i will try and find books via library and thread looks great :T

raeble

Did that WWII rationing challenge thing ever happen last year? I don't remember seeing anything about it. Must have died a death.

Eliza252

I love it when my posts get resurrected after I think they've died!
Have got books on rationing out of the library this weekend have to say would hate to actually have to do it, cant believe I complain about queues in tesco, after so many people had to wait all night to get their bit of food. It has already been useful reading though- am seriously thinking about replacing some of the sugary things I use in puddings with veg - SO much healthier and you get your five a day a bit more uniquely.
Potatoes were back on my shopping list after all the research this week - have been underrating them I think!
Had a look at MSE thread re: world war rationing challenge - v. interesting! I think the one thing I couldnt do without would be large quantities of coffee (nb. day job and evening job, I exist in permanent state of sleep deprivation)- must of been v. tough work in said days of yore before many of the modern conveniances we have, esp. with all the extra work that rationing created and half the family away from home - wonder how everyone managed to without caffeine to prop eyelids open. Then again much more work was done outside, nothing like a bit of fresh air to keep you conscious and thats not going to happen in my air conditioned, artifically lit office (boo!) :rolleyes:

Queenie

Eliza252 wrote:

Potatoes were back on my shopping list after all the research this week - have been underrating them I think!

If you can avoid it, don't buy your spuds from a supermarket - locate a farm shop nearby and by them by the sack: 56lb of spuds less than a fiver

Austin_Allegro

Eliza252, they did have large quantities of caffeine during the war, except it was in tea rather than coffee. They also had plenty of nicotine (which is a far more effective stimulant) as smoking was still good for you in those days. :rolleyes:

filigree_2

I've got "The Wartime Kitchen and Garden" by Jennifer Davies which is great, it has lots of information on the whole subject of food during the War, for instance the Land Girls and the Women's Institute. It does have some recipes but mostly I enjoyed reading about the wider picture.

I think the book is out of print now but I found mine on abebooks, or you could try Amazon Marketplace.