Frankfurter-Cheese Sandwich Filling (1957)

It's Wiener Wednesday! Look at all those happy foodstuffs—including that poor limbless frankfurter—just waiting to be Sandwich Fillings. From that thrift store staple 'Metropolitan Cook Book' (1957 edition). Click picture for full size image.

Slopply Joe's (or Sloppy Joe's)

Today's Recipe: "Slopply Joe's". Pulled this one from an old tin recipe box we picked up at a sale or auction years back.

1/4 pound ground beef
1 medium onion
1/4 can tomato soup

Dice and brown onion in a skillet. Add ground beef, break up with fork and brown. Add soup, cook until thick.

With a mere 1/4 lb. of ground beef, I'm not exactly sure how many people this was supposed to feed. (Click picture for full size image) – Dan Taylor

Dan Taylor is the editor of The Hungover Gourmet. He grew up on Sloppy Joe's, but not like this or that other bullshit North Jersey kind.

Sour Cream Pancakes from McCall's Home-Baked Breads (1974)

When Ryan was little, we always made pancakes on snow days. With Winter Storm Blair headed our way, I thought it would be a good time to pull out a pancake recipe in case school is closed tomorrow. Bonus points for the use of sour cream!

From 'McCall's Home-Baked Breads' (1974).

Roast Pork Shoulder from McCall's Book of Marvelous Meats (1974)

My Mom always made pork for New Year's Day. Sometimes we'd also go visit my aunt who lived in the Bridesburg section of Philly and she would ALSO have fresh ham (pork), kraut, and fresh kielbasa. As I remember it, her row home had a teeny tiny kitchen, and I always marveled at how she made such a feast in such a small space.

My Mom would never debone a pork shoulder like this recipe suggests, but I remember her prep was simple and the result was delicious. One time my brother-in-law walked in to find several of us hunched over the finished shoulder, breaking off pieces of the crisp skin with a glistening layer of fat underneath, and exclaimed "how are you all not 300 pounds?!"

Happy New Year! (Click image for full-size picture)

From "McCall's Book of Marvelous Meats" (1974).

TACO TUESDAY: Nutty Taco Salad (Date Unknown)

TACO TUESDAY: Microwave Week Continues! Are you one of the “many people” who bought a microwave oven just to have an “expensive toy”? For shame! The microwave is an “asset” to your kitchen! In fact, the fine folks at the Oklahoma Peanut Commission thought so highly of the marvelous microwave that they produced ‘Microwave Magic’ (date unknown), a 32-page recipe booklet of nothing but microwave recipes featuring—you guessed it—peanuts. From Chicken Peanut Casserole and Peanut Tea Ring to Peanut Surprise and Aunt Jean’s Poppycock, if it has peanuts in it and you can microwave it, well, it’s probably in here. But since today is Taco Tuesday, I figured I’d share Nutty Taco Salad, which features microwaved ground beef and taco seasoning mixed with peanut butter and topped with lettuce, tomatoes and cheddar cheese. Click picture for full-size image.

#tacotuesday #microwaveweek #microwaverecipes #recipes #peanutrecipes #tacosalad #vintagecookbooks #vintagerecipes #peanuts #peanutbutter

WIENER WEDNESDAY: Three Favorites from '80 Favorites' (1963)

WIENER WEDNESDAY – Listen, I know how you’re feeling. Sometimes the alarm goes off on Wiener Wednesday and you’re totally conflicted. You grew up thinking Wednesday was Prince Spaghetti Day, so you crave something that speaks to your inner Italian. But what if you missed Taco Tuesday and you really want to make up for it? Then again, you’re 100% red-blooded American, and you need to feed all that. Don’t fret. Our friends at Oscar Meyer have a trifecta of Italiano-Mexicali-‘Mercan wiener meals courtesy of ’80 Favorites’ (1963) to feed whatever cuisine wants to reign supreme. Choose from Pizza Wieners featuring something called “wiener wagon buns”, Mexicali Wiener Supper complete with the cornerstones of South of the Border cuisine like thyme and grated process American cheese, or a Chip ‘n Cheese Wieners recipe that has you stuffing slit wieners with a mixture of cheese, potato chips, catsup, minced onion and Worcestershire. Click picture for full-size image.

#wienerwednesday #hotdogs #hotdogrecipes #italianfood #mexicanfood #vintagecookbooks #oscarmayer #vintagerecipes #kitsch #vintage

Deviled Tuna Bake (1975)

FISH FRIDAY: Run under broiler? Looks more like something I ran over with my car. From McCall's 'Fish 'n' Fowl Cookbook' (1975). Click picture for full-size image,

#fishfriday #vintage #vintagerecipes #vintagecookbooks #tunarecipes

Irish Cocktail from Just Cocktails (1939) by WC Whitfield

Happy St. Patrick's Day! There’s plenty of Irish-themed drink recipes out there. But I did a little digging through the collection and found my copy of ‘Just Cocktails’ (Published by The Three Mountaineers, Inc., 1939, Compiled and Edited by W.C. Whitfield, Decorations by Tad Shell), a wood-bound, hand-stitched collection of drinks published in Asheville, NC. The “Irish” comes from the “Cocktails of the ‘Gay Nineties’” section, which the author proposes “will be of particular interest to the younger set, who are eternally being reminded of the ‘good old days’ before Prohibition.” Now that’s an old recipe book. But “remember, these cocktails were the vogue long before Prohibition, so when a recipe calls for a jigger it means two full ounces.” Enjoy the obligatory cliche Irish illustration of a guy in a bowler smoking a cigar while he impatiently taps his feet. Probably late for a brawl. Click picture for full size image.

#cocktails #cocktailrecipes #whiskey #whiskeyrecipes

Fish Friday: Clam (or Ham) Balls (1958)

FISH FRIDAY: The sun is out and temperatures are warming up nicely. Why not invite some friends over for an afternoon cocktail hour featuring Clam (or Ham) Balls. Concertina optional. From "Good Houskeeping's Appetizer Book" (1958), collection of The Hungover Gourmet. Click picture for full size image.

#fishfriday #clams #appetizers #appetizerrecipe #vintagerecipes

Thirsty Thursday: Victory Cocktail (Year Unknown)

THIRSTY THURSDAY: I’m not quite sure what the person who jotted this recipe down was celebrating, but after a few Victory Cock-tails, I’m thinking they had to be feeling pretty good. Click image for full size picture.

#thirstythursday #vintagecocktails #vintagerecipes #whiskey #whiskeycocktails

Wiener Wednesday: Bavarian Wiener Bake (1969)

WIENER WEDNESDAY: As soon as I saw the word "Bavarian" in the title I knew we were getting a) caraway seeds, and b) sauerkraut. Was not expecting the Cream of Mushroom Soup and mayo. From 'Shortcut Cooking' (Meredith Corporation, 1969), though I don't know what's so "shortcut" about this. Click image for full size picture. — Dan Taylor

#wiener #wienerwednesday #hotdogrecipes #hotdogs #vintage #vintagerecipes

Taco Tuesday - 250 Tasty Snacks: Ideas for Entertaining' (1971, Culinary Arts Institute)

TACO TUESDAY: When you really want to have some tacos made with (checks notes) "frozen or canned tortillas" with a plate of pears, avocado, orange sections and assorted olives. Don't use more than a few drops of Tabasco! From '250 Tasty Snacks: Ideas for Entertaining' (1971, Culinary Arts Institute). Click image for full size picture.

#tacos #tacotuesday #tacotuesdayvibes #recipes #vintagerecipes

Succotash 'n' Hot Dog Chowder (1966)

It's Wiener Wednesday, February 21, 2024. 

It's a chilly day and another round of wet weather is headed towards the East Coast. Why not warm your bones with a little Succotash 'n' Hot Dog Chowder from The Hot Dog Cookbook by William I. Kaufman (1966)? 

1 quart milk
1 can (1 lb.) cream-style corn
1 package (10 oz.) frozen lima beans
1 small onion, minced
1 tsp. salt
1 tbsp. pepper
 2 tbsp. cornstarch
1/4 cup cold water
1 lb. hot dogs, sliced
1/2 cup (2 oz.) shredded processed American cheese 

Combine milk, corn, lima beans, onion, and seasonings. Simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Blend cornstarch and cold water and stir into succotash mixture. Add hot dogs. Cook, stirring frequently, until mixture thickens. Serve hot, sprinkled with cheese. Makes 8 servings. 

#hotdogs #wienerwednesday #vintagerecipes #midcentury #chowder #chowderlove

Cheeza Corned Beef from A Treasury of Bake Off Favorites (1969)

Who doesn't love to unwind on a Friday night with a nice glass of wine and a pizza? Then you'll love this "delightful mixture of sweet and piquant" featuring pickle relish mayonnaise (?), corned beef, and (checks notes) sour cream. From 'A Treasury of Bake Off Favorites' (Pillsbury, 1969). Might I suggest a nice Beaujolais, or if you're in the mood for a white wine, a dry Riesling. Click image for full size picture. — Dan Taylor

#pizza #pizzarecipe #vintage #vintagerecipes #vintagecookbooks

Ham Cornucopias from Treasured Recipes of the Old South (1941)

Gosh darn-it, Mrs. Marie Kimball. I know you’re “an authority on early American documents, architecture, glass and Colonial furniture,” but why do you always have to take things too far? Your recipe for Ham Cornucopias starts off so well. We’ve got your thinly sliced deli ham (though it looks a tad thick), we’ve got your small pickles—representing the spike of the lily, of course—and then you have to ruin it by throwing in the gelatin mold featuring mayo and vegetable salad, not to mention the dang aspic jelly cubes as garnish. I’m nothing if not a gallant gentleman, but can’t we just have some deli ham slathered in cream cheese wrapped around a hunk of dill? To say ‘Treasured Recipes of the Old South’ (John Morrell & Co., 1941) is problematic is an understatement. And I'll leave it at that. Click picture for full size image. — Dan Taylor

#vintagecookbooks #southernrecipes #vintagerecipes #recipeoftheday

Frankfurters Go "High Hat" in Economy Salad from PET Milk Company (1939)

Mary Lee Taylor of the Pet Milk Experimental Kitchen makes a return appearance ... for a couple reasons. First, the holidays are coming up and we could all use a few extra pennies in our pockets. Second, I’m almost finished reading ‘Raw Dog’ by Jamie Loftus, so I’ve got frankfurters, wieners, and hot dogs dancing through my head. Granted, it was tough to pass up the “most unusual and delicious sauce” touted in the Salmon Casserole recipe, but when you introduce the Economy Salad recipe by saying “Frankfurters go ‘high hat’…”, I’m like putty in your hands. Click image for full size picture. (‘Delicious Wholesome Meals for 2 or 4 or 6’, Pet Milk Company, 1939). — Dan Taylor

#vintage #vintagerecipes #hotdogs #frankfurters #vintagecookbooks

Meat Loaf from Fun to Cook Book (1967)

Today’s vintage recipe comes to us from nepotism baby Margie Blake. You’re probably familiar with the work of her mother, Mary Blake, cookbook pamphlet face of Carnation Evaporated Milk and author of such classics as ‘Teen-Time Cooking’ and ‘Right Eating Keeps You Swingin’’. Well, little Margie told her mom that some cookbooks had “too many words” while others were “too babyish” and were filled with “play recipes”. So poor Mary—already worn down from trying to come up with a Carnation Evaporated Milk-based cream sauce for Sardine and Liver Sausage Aspic Surprise—had to ignore poor Mr. Blake (first name unknown) and write ‘Fun to Cook Book’ (1967) so little Margie could pass it off as her own. Here's Margie’s recipe (wink, wink) for Meat Loaf. Thought I’m not sure why the illustrator decided to make it look like Margie had dropped it on the floor where it got covered in hair. Click image for full size picture. (‘Fun to Cook Book’, Carnation Company, 1967) – Dan Taylor

#meatloafmonday #meatloaf #vintagerecipes #vintagecookbooks

Happy Veterans Day! Fried Liver Fingers (1966)

My uncles—Mike, Charlie, and Dan—are veterans of WWII and all made it home to live long lives. To them, and all who served, I say, “thank you for your service” and wish a Happy Veterans Day. (Insert awkward transition) That said, here’s some treats from ‘Dare to Excel in Cooking: Award Winning Group Recipes of USS Semmes (DDG-18)’. The Semmes, a Charles F. Adams-class destroyer which entered service in 1962, was the winner of the 1966 Ney Award for the “outstanding small mess afloat”. I’m not sure if the Fried Liver Fingers or Oysters Jambalaya helped secure the award, but here they are for the next time you have 20+ of your closest friends headed over. Oh, and the wonderful illustrations around the edges are courtesy of the Navy-Marine Corps Recipe Service and can be found throughout ‘Dare to Excel in Cooking’ (by Darrell Miles [LT, (SC), USN] and William Bigley [CS1, USN], 1966). Finally, a few words about the recipes contained in the cookbook from David F. Emerson, Commanding Officer of the USS SEMMES (whom I picture looks like Tom Atkins in LETHAL WEAPON): “Please note that the recipes are for food for strong young Americans who work in the open air; there are no dainty items here to divert a Continental palate”. (Click image for full size picture)— Dan Taylor

#vintage #recipes #cookbooks #neyaward #usssemmes #vintagerecipes #armedforces #vintagecookbooks

Spicy Wieners 'n Rice (1963)

Oscar Mayer might be “Specialists in sausage and smoked meats since 1883” but they’re also one of the titans of the recipe pamphlet. Our collection seemingly includes as many varieties of cookbooks and pamphlets from the “wurstmachers” at Oscar Mayer (now owned by Kraft Heinz) as the offerings from these sausage wizards. And this 1963 booklet celebrating their 80th anniversary is a fine example. Touting “80 recipes and suggestions, developed in the Oscar Meyer test kitchens”, this 48-pager features full-color photos and stylish illustrations highlighting everything from Wiener Spinach Casserole and Liver Sausage Peanut Buns to Liver Sausage Pickle Dip and Pumpkin-Hollow Dip (shhhh, the secret ingredient is liver sausage). Admittedly, it was hard to choose something to highlight but I know how you folks like to add a little spice to your life, so here’s something called Spicy Wieners ‘n Rice with a bonus recipe for Wiener Mashed Potato Pie. Click image for full size picture. (’80 Favorites’, Oscar Mayer, 1963) — Dan Taylor

#vintagerecipes #vintagecookbooks #oscarmayer #hotdogrecipes #retrorecipes

Man-Dazzlin Coconut Dream Cake (1948)

Alright, ladies! Got a man that needs “dazzlin”? Check out this lacy gold-and-white Ambrosia Cake featuring Swans Down Cake Flour and Baker’s Coconut. Complicated? Not a bit! You’ll have plenty of time to darn some socks, wash the kitchen floor, and get yourself all dolled up before your man comes home. Click image for full size picture. (General Foods, 1948) – Dan Taylor

#vintage #recipes #vintagerecipes #cakerecipes #coconutcakes