Good morning folks!
Well, just about, it's firmly heading towards midday and my to-do list is rather long, but I need a quick break between vacuuming and sorting out the washing.
As you may know, I sell vintage sewing patterns over on Etsy. In the whole process of getting the patterns online, they're checked, photographed, popped into little bags and labelled, before finally being listed in the shop.
I, as many stitchers do, have found little bits of joy inside the envelope alongside the actually pattern; a wartime pencil, pieces of fabric, an aerogramme even. But my favourites finds are newspaper, with juicy stories of runaway teens heading for Gretna being the best.
However, if the paper can be dated, it just adds to the joy of the pattern. My latest listing is one such joyous pattern. There are three pieces cut in newspaper, seemingly nothing to do with the pattern inside (which is complete).
I did a quick search online, to discover the stories are from 1943
These include the death of Mr John De Havilland, Colonel Graham West awaiting his "Bader legs" and my personal favourite; A mention of oranges!
There is also a crossword, completely unanswered! How anyone could pass a crossword by without having a go is beyond me.
I actually feel a little sad to let the pattern go, but alas, it's a size too big and I already have plenty of patterns I keep saying I'm going to adjust... It just doesn't happen :)
The pattern, should you be interested, is available here.
Well, that's all for now. I'm not sure I'll be posting before Friday. But I will be back on Friday for Jennie On The Kitchen Front. This week I'm trying to decide between biscuits and cake, ooh, the decisions!
Until then
Jennie
Hello all, I am indeed back with another recipe. I am intending some posts for other things beside baking, but as yet, I haven't gotten around to it.
This little recipe is from 1943. The cakes in question are not the light and airy ones you may be expecting, but are quite tasty, and not very sweet at all, indeed, I'm intending on splitting them and having them spread with butter and jam. I say that, but with half of them gone, I'm not sure it will happen :)
I've just realized what they remind me of, blueberry muffins... without the blueberries! Though you could use some more exotic dried fruits if you wish
Here's to it then readers:
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Little Fruit Cakes (1943)
Makes one dozen cakes.
6 ozs flour (plain)
Pinch of salt
3/4 teaspoonful baking powder
2 ozs margarine or half and half margarine and lard (or baking fat) - I used all margarine
2 tablespoonfuls sugar
2 tablespoonfuls sultanas or small raisins - I used sultanas
1 reconstituted dried egg - I used 1 fresh egg
About 1 gill of milk (about 1/4 pint)
Halve sultanas or raisins.
Mix flour, salt and baking powder..
Rub in fat.
Add and mix in sugar and fruit.
Stir in beaten egg and enough milk to make a mixture of stiff drop-from-the-spoon consistency.
Fill into 12 greased queen cake tins or patty pans.
Brush with milk.
Bake in a moderate oven, gas mark 6 (200 C/400 F) for about 20 minutes.
I hope you've enjoyed this recipe, now I'm off to polish off another cake with some tea
Until next time
Jennie
Hullo!
Welcome to the first installment of my new cookery feature, here on the old bloglette.
I'll be rummaging through my wartime magazines and testing the recipes, before writing them up here.
I won't be changing the sugar/fat quantities, but I will be providing suitable alternatives where it's needed - Such as using baking fat instead of lard for us veggies, and using fresh eggs when the original recipe calls for reconstituted dried egg, though I will say if dried egg is mentioned.
So let's get started. Here is the first recipe,
Chocolate Rocks from 1943
Makes 16
1/2 lb Flour (plain)
Pinch of Salt
1 Heaped teaspoonful Baking Powder
3 ozs fat - half and half margarine and lard/baking fat
3 ozs Sugar
1 Tablespoonful Cocoa
1 egg (or one reconstituted dried egg)
A little milk
Vanilla Essence (optional)
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Sift together the flour, salt, baking powder and cocoa.
Rub in fat.
Add sugar.
Mix to a stiff dough with the egg and a little milk, about 3 Tablespoonfuls. Add vanilla (if using).
Place mixture in 16 small heaps on the greased baking sheet (I use baking paper on a tray).
Bake in a quick oven, gas mark 7 (220 C / 425 F) for 15-20 minutes.
Personally I think these are a nice mid-morning treat with a cup of tea, and not too greedy on the fat and sugar ration. I hope you'd enjoyed the first recipe, do tell me if you try them out and also if there's anything in particular you'd like to see a recipe for.
Until next time,
Jennie
P.S. Apologies for the photos, the big bad black cloud was coming over fast when I was making these!
