Getting retro in the kitchen with Aunt Daisy

Chefnot · 05-04-2008, 06:47 AM

There's nothing like a good old-fashioned panic about the price of food. The spectre of having to pay more for basics such as bread and cheese can cause one to come over all retro and make like we are still in the middle of both world wars and the Depression. Saving the roast fat for lard to use on bread instead of butter, plugging holes in shoes with newspaper, or taking a leaf out of Muriel Newman's book of a few years ago which suggested making raincoats out of plastic bags.

Wendyl Nissen: Getting retro in the kitchen with Aunt Daisy - 04 May 2008 - Food news - NZ Herald

BerryBaby · 05-04-2008, 10:15 AM

Can't say I'd make the 'lamb/mutton' dishes...my least fav food! However, I still love the retro Betty Crocker cookbook from 1973. Some of the old classics are even better today.

Growing up the the 50's, I recall having great homemade soups quite often. They really stretched the dollar. Making your own bread was commonplace.

Mom didn't drive so she would walk or take the bus to town. She'd shop at the local small grocer and many times they would deliver the groceries to the house. It had a butcher counter in back and everything was freshly cut to her specifications. Customer service was amazing.

I can still recall the distinct smell when you'd walk into that store. From the fresh meat to produce, you can't find that anymore. Ah, the good ol' days!

bluejeanz · 05-04-2008, 05:25 PM

I have a 91-year-old mother who still can't shake some of her ways from back in the day. She used to constantly save and reuse plastic bags. After I read how, even after washing them, they harbor bacteria, I told her time after time to stop saving them and explained that they only cost pennies apiece and it wasn't worth her ending up in the hospital. After years of bringing it up, she finally took the hint.

She also has a hard time giving things away. It's as though she feels one has to be worthy of receiving such a gift. Her famous comment is, "I paid good money for that." The latest is we bought her a fancy Rollator for her birthday last month. She lives in an assisted living place and one of the residents there didn't need her walker anymore and gave it to mom. Mom's used it for about 2 years, ever since her surgery for colon cancer. I told her to ask around if anyone there needed a walker, she could give it to them. When I asked her last week, she said she was going to 'put it in her closet' till she found someone who needed it. Knowing her, she'd put it in there and forget about it. Plus, they'd have to meet all her requirements, LOL. So I told her that it was given to her for free and she should pass it along to another needy person. Then I called the nurse there and asked her if she knew of anyone who could use it. She said not at the moment but they'd love to keep it at the nurse's station as a loaner for when someone needed one and they could use it until they bought one of their own so I told mom and she didn't have anything to say about it.

Also, growing up at home I remember mom was very frugal. If she had an onion or some celery that was starting to go bad, she'd cut off the bad parts and use it. Me, I chuck the whole thing out cause you never know.

Food Network Fan · 05-04-2008, 05:38 PM

My grandmother had one of those little wheeled carts that looked like a dolly with a large wire basket attached. She would walk to the store ... she didn't drive either. The bus was only when she was going to cross the river to go downtown for things you can't get at the grocer.

BerryBaby · 05-04-2008, 09:18 PM

I had one of thoe wire carts when we were first married (1974).

The apartment complex where we lived gave us two parking spots, both about two blocks from the door! There was no place to park and unload the groceries, so I bought a cart. It worked out great!

bluejeanz · 05-05-2008, 08:10 AM

Ha-ha-ha! My sister used to use one when she was first married cause she lived in an apartment on the 8th floor. I remember making fun of her all the time calling her a studda-bubba (old gramma).

BerryBaby · 05-05-2008, 10:06 AM

That's what they are associated with, but they are a great invention. Sure helped us out.

bluejeanz · 05-06-2008, 10:07 AM

I meant no disrespect, LOL. They are a handy tool to use. (I was at BJ's discount warehouse yesterday and they actually still sell them.) But you have to realize I was talking about a young bride back in the 60's and these were only used by very old women wearing babushkas back then. At least in our neighborhood, which was a melting pot of old-world nationalities; Polish, Slovak and Italian.

BerryBaby · 05-06-2008, 10:11 AM

Yes, they had a certain image attached to them.

A couple of years ago, daughter asked for one. They are quite popular out here because people walk everywhere!

She'd walk to the store for groceries and use the cart. Maybe I should decorate them and jazz them up to be more stylish!

Food Network Fan · 05-06-2008, 10:17 AM

Designer shopping dollys.

You could have a new business idea here.