A menu of my youth 
interesting read and some great recipe's.
by KATHERINE PATERSON
December 21, 2023
32
Much like today, the Great Depression was a challenging time in America. The Great Depression was marked by economic hardship and resource scarcity.
In the face of adversity, families had to get creative with their meals, concocting affordable and filling recipes.
We can learn from the past and implement these time-tested ideas in our present lives to get through difficult times and move forward.
The following recipes are budget-friendly and show us that a little can go a long way with some creativity and determination.
Nothing is more satisfying on a cold night than a warm bowl of potato soup.
Ingredients:
Peel and dice the potatoes and onions. Bring them to a boil in a large pot until tender. To thicken the soup, mash some of the potatoes in it. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Average Cost: $3-$5 depending on location and pricing
Beans and rice are an affordable staple that should be a part of every American pantry.
Ingredients:
Cook the beans until tender. Cook rice separately. Mix the beans and rice with sautéed onions and canned tomatoes. Bake at 350 for 15 to 20 minutes or until flavors meld together.
Related: Canning Mormon Beans For Long Term Preservation
Average Cost: $3-$5 depending on location and pricing
Bread pudding is the perfect bedtime snack to fill hungry bellies.
Ingredients:
Tear the bread into small pieces. Mix with a blend of milk, beaten eggs, and sugar. Bake until set, and enjoy a comforting and filling dessert.
Average Cost: Depending on your location and current pricing, this treat can be created for less than $3 per serving
Ingredients:
Chop vegetables and simmer in a pot of broth until they are fully cooked. Season with salt and pepper. Store or freeze this soup for a hearty and nutritious meal anytime.
Average Cost: Around $3 depending on location and pricing, cheaper if you can grow your vegetables at home. You can learn here how to make a year-round self-sustaining garden.
Ingredients:
Mix ingredients into a batter. Cook on a grill for a simple and satisfying breakfast. These delicious morsels can be made ahead and kept warm in an oven for up to an hour or frozen for enjoyment later.
Average Cost: $2- $3 depending on location
Cabbage is affordable or can be easily grown at home. It is packed full of nutrients and provides many health benefits.
Ingredients:
Sauté cabbage in butter. Boil egg noodles and mix with cabbage. It is an affordable and comforting dish to use as a side, or you can add protein to make it a meal.
Average Cost: $3-$4
A popular staple throughout American history, the fried bologna sandwich is still beloved by many.
Ingredients:
Fry bologna slices until crispy. Make a sandwich and add mustard for a quick and tasty lunch.
Average Cost: $2-$5 depending on location and current grocery prices
Another affordable option for a filling dessert is rice pudding.
Ingredients:
Cook rice in milk and sugar until creamy. Sprinkle with cinnamon for a sweet treat.
Average Cost: $4
No apples? That’s okay. We’ve got you covered with this mock apple pie recipe.
Ingredients:
Crush crackers and mix with sugar, cinnamon, and a little water to create a paste. Bake for 15 minutes in a pie crust at 425 for a surprising substitute.
Average Cost: $4-$5 depending on location and pricing
This Asian-inspired delight can be easily made on a budget and stored easily.
Ingredients:
Bring chicken broth to a simmer. Beat eggs and slowly pour into the broth. Stir gently, add chopped green onions, and season with soy sauce.
Corn chowder is another perfect meal for a cold fall night and is easy to make.
Ingredients:
Boil potatoes and corn in a pot. Add milk and butter. Simmer until the potatoes are tender for a rich and satisfying chowder.
Average Cost: $3-$5 depending on your location and current sales
Cooking doesn’t get much easier than this Ritz Cracker Casserole.
Ingredients:
Brown ground meat. Layer with crushed Ritz crackers, tomato sauce, and cheese. Bake until bubbly and golden.
Average Cost: $3-$4 depending on choices location, and current pricing
One of my all-time favorites, potato patties are cheap, quick, and perfect for any meal.
Ingredients:
Mix mashed potatoes with flour and beaten egg. Form into patties and fry until golden.
Related: How to Can Potatoes for Long Term Preservation
Average Cost: Around $3 depending on location
Ingredients:
Soak the navy beans according to package instructions, rinsing them clean before and after soaking. Mix the beans with the can of tomatoes, onion, ham, broth, and water; season to taste.
For thicker soup, puree the cooked beans in a food processor and add them back into the soup, stirring well to combine.
Average Cost: $3-$4 per serving
Although we may not face the same economic hardships or lack of access today that citizens met in the past, these recipes remind us that delicious and nutritious meals can be crafted with simple, affordable ingredients if you are creative.
Try these dishes to experience a taste of history, bring a touch of nostalgia to your modern kitchen, or save some cash. A little creativity and some frugal shopping can make a big difference.
interesting read and some great recipe's.$5 Depression-Era Recipes
December 21, 2023
32
Much like today, the Great Depression was a challenging time in America. The Great Depression was marked by economic hardship and resource scarcity.
In the face of adversity, families had to get creative with their meals, concocting affordable and filling recipes.
We can learn from the past and implement these time-tested ideas in our present lives to get through difficult times and move forward.
The following recipes are budget-friendly and show us that a little can go a long way with some creativity and determination.
Potato Soup
Ingredients:
- Potatoes
- Onions
- Water
- Salt and pepper
Peel and dice the potatoes and onions. Bring them to a boil in a large pot until tender. To thicken the soup, mash some of the potatoes in it. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Average Cost: $3-$5 depending on location and pricing
Bean and Rice Casserole
Beans and rice are an affordable staple that should be a part of every American pantry.
Ingredients:
- Dried beans
- Rice
- Onions
- Canned tomatoes
Cook the beans until tender. Cook rice separately. Mix the beans and rice with sautéed onions and canned tomatoes. Bake at 350 for 15 to 20 minutes or until flavors meld together.
Related: Canning Mormon Beans For Long Term Preservation
Average Cost: $3-$5 depending on location and pricing
Bread Pudding
Ingredients:
- Stale bread
- Milk
- Eggs
- Sugar
Tear the bread into small pieces. Mix with a blend of milk, beaten eggs, and sugar. Bake until set, and enjoy a comforting and filling dessert.
Average Cost: Depending on your location and current pricing, this treat can be created for less than $3 per serving
Simple Vegetable Soup
A healthy option for any meal, this recipe can be adapted to fit any items you have on hand.
Ingredients:
- Carrots
- Potatoes
- Corn
- Green beans
- Broth and water
Chop vegetables and simmer in a pot of broth until they are fully cooked. Season with salt and pepper. Store or freeze this soup for a hearty and nutritious meal anytime.
Average Cost: Around $3 depending on location and pricing, cheaper if you can grow your vegetables at home. You can learn here how to make a year-round self-sustaining garden.
Cornmeal Pancakes
Cornmeal pancakes are super easy to make, cost next to nothing, and are so filling. Perfect for any meal.
Ingredients:
- Cornmeal (1+ cup)
- Flour (4 ½ oz)
- Milk (1 cup)
- Baking powder (1 tbsp)
- *optional: 2 eggs, 3 tbsp sugar
Mix ingredients into a batter. Cook on a grill for a simple and satisfying breakfast. These delicious morsels can be made ahead and kept warm in an oven for up to an hour or frozen for enjoyment later.
Average Cost: $2- $3 depending on location
Cabbage and Noodles
Ingredients:
- Cabbage
- Egg noodles
- Butter or margarine
Sauté cabbage in butter. Boil egg noodles and mix with cabbage. It is an affordable and comforting dish to use as a side, or you can add protein to make it a meal.
Average Cost: $3-$4
Fried Bologna Sandwich
Ingredients:
- Bologna slices
- Bread
- Mustard
Fry bologna slices until crispy. Make a sandwich and add mustard for a quick and tasty lunch.
Average Cost: $2-$5 depending on location and current grocery prices
Rice Pudding
Ingredients:
- Rice
- Milk
- Sugar
- Cinnamon
Cook rice in milk and sugar until creamy. Sprinkle with cinnamon for a sweet treat.
Average Cost: $4
Mock Apple Pie
Ingredients:
- Crackers
- Sugar
- Cinnamon
- Water
Crush crackers and mix with sugar, cinnamon, and a little water to create a paste. Bake for 15 minutes in a pie crust at 425 for a surprising substitute.
Average Cost: $4-$5 depending on location and pricing
Egg Drop Soup
Ingredients:
- Chicken broth
- Eggs
- Green onions
- Soy sauce
Bring chicken broth to a simmer. Beat eggs and slowly pour into the broth. Stir gently, add chopped green onions, and season with soy sauce.
⇒ Learn How to Keep Eggs Fresh for at Least a Decade
Average Cost: $5, depending on your locationCorn Chowder
Ingredients:
- Corn kernels
- Potatoes
- Milk
- Butter
Boil potatoes and corn in a pot. Add milk and butter. Simmer until the potatoes are tender for a rich and satisfying chowder.
Average Cost: $3-$5 depending on your location and current sales
Ritz Cracker Casserole
Ingredients:
- Ground meat (any type)
- Ritz crackers
- Tomato sauce
- Cheese
Brown ground meat. Layer with crushed Ritz crackers, tomato sauce, and cheese. Bake until bubbly and golden.
Average Cost: $3-$4 depending on choices location, and current pricing
Potato Patties
Ingredients:
- Mashed potatoes
- Flour
- Egg
- Salt and pepper
Mix mashed potatoes with flour and beaten egg. Form into patties and fry until golden.
Related: How to Can Potatoes for Long Term Preservation
Average Cost: Around $3 depending on location
Navy Bean Soup
Beans were an essential staple during The Great Depression and often worked into every meal. Navy bean soup was one popular bean recipe that is still popular today.
- 2-3 cups dried navy beans
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- chopped onion
- Diced ham or ham hock
- 2 cups broth
- 2 cups water
Soak the navy beans according to package instructions, rinsing them clean before and after soaking. Mix the beans with the can of tomatoes, onion, ham, broth, and water; season to taste.
For thicker soup, puree the cooked beans in a food processor and add them back into the soup, stirring well to combine.
Average Cost: $3-$4 per serving
Creativity Counts
While they may require you to be a little creative, these Depression-era recipes are not only budget-friendly but also provide a glimpse into the resourcefulness of families during challenging times.Although we may not face the same economic hardships or lack of access today that citizens met in the past, these recipes remind us that delicious and nutritious meals can be crafted with simple, affordable ingredients if you are creative.
Try these dishes to experience a taste of history, bring a touch of nostalgia to your modern kitchen, or save some cash. A little creativity and some frugal shopping can make a big difference.
