There is a cookbook giveaway going on over at Flamingo House Happenings. Yes, that is right! Give away! Free cookbooks! And, when I said down below that new cookbooks didn’t turn me on…obviously I am not talking about Elaine Magee’s cookbooks. Her cookbooks are like retro cookbooks…except healthier!

Go enter! Win…and if you don’t win…go buy Elaine’s cookbook.

I used to have some nice widget that had it on there in one shot at earning back my hosting costs but I don’t have it up there anymore. (Speaking of widgets, I am in love with the new one on the right…still not making any money but adding to my fertile daydreams of cool retro cookbook owndership.)

Ah well, you can click the link over on Flamingo House or just go buy them here, directly from Elaine Magee, if you don’t win.

You should buy a few copies anyway. They make great gifts to EVERYONE. (got graduations? weddings? Mother’s Day? gifts to buy?) (Totally unpaid endorsement of Elaine Magee and her great cookbooks.)

The Amy Vanderbilt Success Program for Young Women tells you how in How to Prepare Exciting Holiday Menus. You don’t want to miss this great bit of retro food. The pages include such gems as serving your cornucopia for dessert, brazil nut stuffing, creamed giblet gravy, green turtle soup, menus, as well as supper and leftover ideas. Be sure to look at the pages in full size.

See doesn’t it look yummy?

Don’t you want to look this happy on Thanksgiving?

  Not only with Green Balls…but a Burning Bush as well. These three recipe names sound more like things discussed in a house of ill repute than your fine and gracious home…and while the Green Balls and Burning Bush might not be too odd (ok, the burning bush definitely would scream vintage appetizer with that dried beef, and anything rolled in parsley does but…nevermind that) What is the deal with the Triple Treat? A cherry, pickle and onion together? Happy surprise indeed!

Betty Crocker’s Picture Cookbook

I am all for a nice Saturday cocktail. Particularly when it is retro and non-alcoholic as these are (yes, I have a secret fondness for a single glass of tomato juice from time to time, particularly fresh tomato juice). However, I am most interested in the vintage Kix cereal recipe down at the bottom; buttered or cheese Kix. I may have to make some.

Also includes recipes for tomato juice, tomato bouillon, tomato-sauerkraut juice, tomato-clam juice (Clamato!), Bouillon or Consommé, Jellied Bouillon (for those hot days!), vegetable cocktail,cranberry cocktail (festive!), spiced cider, minted citrus juice (sounds refreshing!), as well as simple accompaniments like potato chips topped with grated Parmesan cheese, then toasted and buttered crackers with celery seed or paprika. From Betty Crocker’s Picture Cookbook

The clever wife has a simple appetizing cocktail (cold in summer, hot in winter) ready for her weary husband when he comes home at night.

Betty Crocker’s Picture Cookbook, 1950, First Edition, Published by McGraw-Hill Book Company and General Mills, Inc

The map to the two appetizer pictures and a few recipes. Stuffed cucumber, Celery Trunks, Stuffed Celery, and a Green Cheese Ball. Betty Crocker’s Picture Cookbook

“To make liver pleasanter to eat…”

From The Modern Family Cookbook, 1942

Pretty for a valentine, an engagement, or a shower, with tinted coconut and candies.

Nothing says “Thanks for that big engagement ring.” like a cake with pink coconut. From the retro Learn to Bake: You’ll Love It cookbooklet, 1947.

It is all about control and this nice vintage 1947 General Mills cookbook says many stoves have oven heat controls! Woohoo! I am getting me one of those new-fangled gadgets soon!

No cupcake toppers but here are some retro birthday favorites. I love the caption!

Caption on facing page reads: Here’s to many happy birthdays! The daisy cake for Mother has orange-tint frosting and pecan strips for flowers. For double glamour, there’s a tier cake, silhouetted in chocolate. Sister likes angel food frosted pink; the little folks take cupcakes and a candle apiece. It’s straight chocolate for Bobby with a ring circus of iced animal crackers–then a spicy favorite for Dad. You can make them all easily with letters or messages on top, once you have read this chapter. So plan happy birthdays for all your house–and have many.