Hard Times Cookery ?

[diamond lil]

I'd be very grateful if anybody had book recommendations or tips on Old Style cookery. Meals from the early 20th century when they made a little go a long way. How to pad meat out, what cuts were cheapest, etc. I think those days are back ! (I have a Victorian cookbook but meat was a hell of a lot cheaper back then so it's not a lot of use).

[Red Doe]

Lil, I`ve got a few, including The Pennypinchers Cookbook, if you like I can post some recipes on here over the next wee while?
Also, a lot of traditional Scots cookery is pretty frugal if you don`t go for the modern city restaurant chef`s books.

[diamond lil]

ok on the recipe section that would be good ta !

[Attack Warning Red]

I've got a great book published by the Daily Telegraph of wartime/rationing recipes. It's called 'Good Fare: A Book of Wartime Recipes'. I think it's a reprint of an original one from the time, so it's easily available.

[Poledragon]

Resurrecting an old thread here, because I've got a stack of old cookbooks, and some newer ones too, all based on frugal style food.

One easily available is More with Less, http://amzn.to/fhErxF and it's brilliant. It's from the Mennonites, and it's all about using less of the world's resources. A happy side effect of this is there's a lot of use of whole grains, legumes, dairy, etc, all of which are cheap and easily stored. There's parts on how to make good quality protein without a lot of meat, using up leftovers etc. I don't really agree with their missionary work, but the cookbook is fab.

Keep your eyes open for wartime books, as the rationing years put a whole new slant on food and cookery. We've tried a few recipes and some are a real an experience... Also have a rare 'how to cook on your woodstove' one, but that's in a box somewhere so will post details when I dig it out.

[diamond lil]

Nella Last's War is amazing for day to day detail on what they cooked and ate. She makes it all sound so easy and to me, cookery is NOT EASY!

[SW_pheonix]

Saw something interesting in that new 'skrimmpers' prog on Channel 4 the other day. A woman saying that you can bulk out mince for cooking by mixing it roughly 1:1 with rolled oats.
I'll give it a try in the spag bol and see if its a winner.

Even if it doesn't make it to the regular mealtime menu, its a handy trick to know.

[diamond lil]

Yes porridge is a great bulker-outer if you want to make meat go further, just don't add too much or it goes to sludge. Also, grate a couple of carrots in - you can't taste it at all & it gives extra vitamins etc.
Cheap and filling flapjacks, with porridge oats, syrup, sultanas and nuts.
Apple, plum or rhubarb crumble using flapjack mix instead of crumble mix, crunchier and healthier.
Oatcakes yumm great if you can't bake bread.
Porridge is great stuff - original survivor food for the clans

[preppingsu]

Saw something interesting in that new 'skrimmpers' prog on Channel 4 the other day. A woman saying that you can bulk out mince for cooking by mixing it roughly 1:1 with rolled oats.
I'll give it a try in the spag bol and see if its a winner.

Even if it doesn't make it to the regular mealtime menu, its a handy trick to know.

ha,ha I tried 'bulking' out with grated carrot, sweet potato etc and everyone moaned, they know something was different but didn't know what. When they found out there was uproar....

[diamond lil]

Try it gradually and one thing at a time Sue, I did the same and he whined but then - after I promised never to do it again - I did it one carrot at a time and less porridge, and he still doesn't know.