The War Kitchen

  I started this blog to share ideas to help folks be a bit more self sufficient or explore bits of historic recipes or how our collective nations populations survived food shortages because of war. Sadly it is daily more relevant to real living now.  It is easy to think a conflict far away will not effect you, but they do and can. The current invasion of the Ukraine will have immediate and dreadful impacts on people’s lives in that region. A refugee crisis is unfolding as I write this. Innocent good people who never did a wrong thing in their lives will die. People who never dreamed of harming anyone Ukrainian or Russian will now have too. Trade, food supplies, the ability to produce food (farming disrupted), power needs for heat and cooking, clothing and shelter shortages, medical care shortage and transportation chain disruptions will all happen. The people of the Ukraine will need help. Other Governments will be forced to make decisions… and war unfolds. More than likely h...

  Corn Bread 1 3/4 cups corn meal                             1 tablespoon sugar 1/4 cup flour                                            1 teaspoon salt 4 teaspoons Royal Baking Powder     1 1/2 cups milk                                     2 tablespoons shortening Mix thoroughly dry ingredients, add milk and melted shortening; beat well and pour into well greased pan or muffin tins and bake in hot oven about 25 minutes. From  "Best War...

  Gelatin is a useful food ingredient and is in many products but if you have a food restriction it maybe problematic. Most food restrictions are either secular ethics based or religious law based. So a quick run down on navigating the great Gelatin Debate… to eat or not to eat that is the question?   All Gelatin comes from an animal source. If you object to eating animals this means in general you will need to avoid any product containing Gelatin. There are some substitute plant based possibilities but regular forms of Gelatin will not be acceptable.   For a very long time Gelatin was considered Kosher in the USA because of the manufacturing process but people became concerned that pork bones or skin might be used so now one must look for a certifying organization to know it is Kosher. Thus if you follow either a Kosher or Halah diet you will need to be careful about your Gelatin source or use one of the plant based substitutes. Some Gelatin brands use pork, so finding G...

 Now for something different… 1 Sprinkle 1 envelope unflavored gelatin in1/2 cup cold water (chicken or turkey stock) to soften. 2 Place over boiling water and stir until gelatin is thoroughly dissolved. 3 Blend 1 can Cream of Chicken or Cream of Mushroom Soup with 1/2 cup cold water (chicken or turkey stock), 1 tablespoon lemon juice and dash black pepper. 4 Add dissolved gelatin and mix thoroughly. Chill to unbeaten egg white consistency. 5 Fold in 1 can Seasoned Roasted Chicken or Turkey, diced, (or 1 1/2 cup boned cooked chicken), 1/2 cup chopped Celery, 1/4 cup chopped Green Pepper, 2 tablespoons chopped pimientos, and 2 teaspoons grated Onion. 6 Turn into 3 cup mold (1 quart mold) or individual molds, and chill until firm. 7 Unmold onto crisp salad greens and serve with salad dressing. 8 Makes 4 Servings. (Approximately 139 calories per serving without dressing.)  Add spices, herbs, curry has been suggested.

From Cookery In War Time 1939 State Poster, Pennsylvania 1917    

A nice WWII recipe Recipe from Cookery In War Time 1939  

 From Kansas Farmer February 7th 1914