The other day a blogger whose posts are always entertaining, Ally Bean at The Speckled Bean, wrote about glimpsing into a cookbook from the 1980s. Her post reminded me of my mother-in-law’s cookbooks which were published by the Relief Society (Mormon’s ladies charity) and so contained recipes meant to serve large families on the cheap. I couldn’t find those gems. But I did find this one:
It’s hard to tell when it was “published” or by whom. There’s no information on the front or back cover and no title page. However, based on this sage bit of advice, I would say no later than the 1960s.
Good news, Ladies! if your spouse is one of the poorer varieties, don’t despair! A bit of patience is all you need.
These cookbooks may seem quaint by today’s standards, but I’m sure the women who contributed the recipes and helped type up and illustrate the book were proud of their accomplishment. Proud to sell those books and donate the proceeds to charity. However, reading through them I had the eerie feeling that many were the result of trial and error and that many children suffered.
Have any of you ever tasted Ginger Ale Salad? It sounded okay until the stuffed olives. Well, I don’t know about the celery and banana combo but then I’m a notoriously picky eater.
Ever wonder what to do with an old can of tomato soup? Well, make a cake of course. Ingenious? What do you think?
The following recipe was a bit of a surprise. Delores Cook must have been a woman ahead her time. I might even give this one a try.
Another surprise! Who would have guessed that liver, applesauce, and cinnamon can be tasty together? Sadly, I don’t eat liver but if any of y’all want to give this dish a try, let me know how it goes. I’m dying to hear!
Saying nothing in particular 
This made me mile, but I don’t want to taste test any of these recipes.
Sorry smile.
This is awesome. Liver, I hate that thing. Just the smell makes me sick.
It was thought to be the miracle cure for anemia back when I was a kid. But it was nasty, I agree.
I was told the same when I was growing up. My mom tried to cook it in different ways but it was just awful.
That’s a riot! And while I have no desire to try any of those weirdo recipes, tomato soup cake was actually popular up here back in the day…
I imagine tomato soup stopped the cake from drying out. That liver recipe brings back painful memories – I was always anemic and liver was supposed to be the miracle cure! That and Cod Liver Oil!
Oh my gosh, I’m laughing out loud about how to preserve a husband. That is worth the price of the entire book. I remember Ginger Ale Salad, ate it, but it didn’t have olives in it. 🤨 I remember Tomato Soup Cake, but never ate any to my knowledge. No liver for me.
Thanks for linking to my post. These old cookbooks are fun.
My mother always tried to force me to eat calves liver and onions when I was young. I always fed it to the dog under the table.
😉
poorer varieties, lol
That was fun… I didn’t see the “pickled” method though. (For preserving husbands)
It’s basically “be kind to your man and he’ll sweeten up.” Definitely pre-feminism.
Totally…
Hi Jan, the husband keeping recipe is sweet and quaint. The other recipes – hmmm – I don’t think my family would love them.
Good post! I have a lot of my Grandmother’s cookbooks from women’s clubs or whatever from the 1930 to 1960s. It’s always fun to find things like that in them. The title of your post brought this little book to mind though–you know opposites attract! How to Cook Your Husband https://hopewellslibraryoflife.wordpress.com/2020/09/02/review-how-to-cook-your-husband-the-african-way/
They are fun to read through, aren’t they?
Hahaha! These sound like recipes from the 60’s.
1 pound marshmallows
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 box graham crackers
6 olives
1/2 cup peanut butter
Clear path to the bathroom!
A fun post, Jan!
Reminds me of the time I made scrambled eggs with grated carrots!
Ohh.. uhhh .. whatever possessed you?
Sometimes we get a brain storm without the brain.
happy new month…..
And to you too!