Recipes From Hard Times

One of my recent acquisitions is a thin little book entitled Hard Times Cook Book. Published in 1970, the book's recipes have catchy little titles like "Inflation Omelette", "Poorhouse Souffle," "Mixed Market Minestrone," "Go Broke Gumbo," and "Bank Holiday Bake."

The authors dedicate their recipes to their former stockbroker and their chapter titles are as equally entertaining: "Brother Can You Spare a Dime," "Why Wait In Line...Start Your Own Soup Kitchen," "Tax The Rich..Feed The Poor Beans, Etc.," "The New Deal And Meat," "A Chicken In Every Pot," "The Brain Trust...Add Fish," and finally, "Grow Your Own...Vegetables."

Here's a couple of their recipes for your consideration.

NO PROFIT NOODLES

1 package egg noodles, cooked and drained
3 tablespoons honey
1 egg, beaten
1 cup raisins or chopped dried apricots or a mixture of both
1 cup small curd cottage cheese
1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Mix all the ingredients together. Lightly grease a baking dish and bake uncovered at 325 degrees for 30 minutes.

WOLF AT THE DOOR STORE

1 pound dried garbanzo beans
1/4 cup olive oil
1 clove garlic, chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
1/2 cup green pepper, chopped
2 cups potatoes, diced
2 cans tomato sauce (8 oz. size)
1 tablespoon chili powder
dash of cayenne
salt and pepper
1 cup cubed ham (optional)

Soak beans overnight. Drain and place in a large pot, adding just enough water to cover the beans and add a dash of salt. Simmer until tender - about 2-1/2 hours
Brown onion, garlic and green pepper. Add tomato sauce, cayenne and chili powder to onion blend. Salt and pepper to taste. Mix sauce into drained cooked beans, adding potatoes. Simmer about 25 minutes or until potatoes are tender. Serve with homemade bread. This would be an excellent meal to cook on a wood stove!

Later, Treesong