Favorite Recipes For Country Kitchens 1945:

The Perfect 1940s Dream

I've been collecting vintage recipe booklets since I was a child, and my collection of cookbooks is ridiculously mind blowing. I don't really know why I have so many, but it pains me to think of loosing any of them. Yes, there are some that I love above all the rest, like the one here , Favorite Recipes For Country Kitchens, (1945 General Foods Corp.), which depicts a farm wife calling up
the men to eat. I just love the artwork and the bright colors. It makes me wish I were standing on that front porch waving to my husband and sons, then serving up a chicken dinner with a side dish of stuffing.
My daughter gave me this little booklet, and I love it more than any gift she has ever given me. To me, this image symbolizes Nettle Rose Cottage. I adore the picket fence with the tall spires of red Hollyhock. Likewise, I would love to have trim work similar to that in the image surrounding my own suburban stoop.This little booklet is filled with practical, easy recipes and if you can find a copy, I highly recommend that you snatch it up.
Today I thought I would try something a little different. I found the handiest little food trays on eBay, and I thought I would try my hand at freezer meals. I decided to try something simple and old fashioned, Hamburgers in Onion Sauce, found on page 33 of this recipe booklet. I  doubled the recipe and served half for dinner with green peas and mashed potatoes, and the other half was divided up and frozen in my trays. Everyone seemed to enjoy the dinner, even though it was just simple food. Maybe that is what is missing, just something simple.

Hamburger in Onion Sauce

Hamburgers in Onion Sauce

Season 1 1/2 pounds of ground beef with two teaspoons of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper. Shape into 8 patties. Cook in small amount of fat. Lift onto platter.

Brown 1/2 cup of finely chopped onions in drippings. Add 2 Tablespoons flour and stir until smooth. Add 1 1/2 cups milk gradually and cook until mixture is thickened, stirring constantly. Add 3/4 teaspoon salt and a dash of pepper. Pour over meat patties and serve. makes 8 servings, 1 patty each.