1930s Ladies Bookclub
 

I'm having the bookclub meeting at my house next week. Usually we get pretty creative in our decorations and food... tying them into the book we are reading. This book doesn't lend itself to yummy food (starving children in an orphanage in the 1930s)... so I thought I would make the theme of my food choices what would be served at a 1930s ladies bookclub. I've done some research... did you know Ritz crackers were first made in 1934?

I'd like to hear what ideas you have for refreshments that I might not have thought of.

I knew Ritz crackers have been around a long time. I was just watching something recently (set many years ago) and they were eating RitzCrackers. I think Deviled Eggs were just starting to be a thing then.

I am a big fan of molded salads/desserts. Jello as a brand and gelatin were already established and by the 30s there was more electricity/refrigerators.

But starving people food is starving people food :( In my family, my grandfather lost the family store in North Dakota during the depression and when my father was born, they headed out to the west (Tacoma) where is older sister was able to take them all in. He got work with Safeway and became a produce manager and had an award winning apple display. My other grandfather had a steady job for Carnation Dairy up by Everett. The Northwest was not hit as hard as some areas of the country, but it hit my maternal grandmother pretty hard in terms of economic stability. My paternal grandmother had more stories to tell of wartime rationing.

My first thoughts were ...
* Rice Pudding
* Bread Pudding ... many go eww ick, but you can spiff it up to be a real treat! Just don't tell people the name, til they say ... Delicious!

And of course, when in doubt, ask Google!Q
For me, Taste of Home recipes have been winners over and over. Maybe not all are book club possibles, but may trigger some happy food memories too!
https://www.tasteofhome.com/collecti...rom-the-1930s/

Here's some historical food information from the 30s ... and researched via University of Guelph. It just might fit well with your book topic for discussion .... and eating! Bon Appetit!
https://whatcanadaate.lib.uoguelph.ca/exhibits/show/rural-cookery/100-glorified-recipes/cooking-up-history
And there are oh so many rabbit holes to go down for foodies and history!

oooooooh Just remembered ..... Raisin Pie?
It was popular as it didn't need sugar.
As a kid I hated it. Different story as an adult ... it became a favourite.

For the book club, you could make pies or do them as individual tarts ... or even bars/squares that have a pastry top/bottom.

I'm getting the impression you may be thinking of making mock apple pie? I think I have the recipe somewhere, as someone served it and I asked for the recipe. Also lime Jello was introduced in the 30s.

The second link in QuiltE's post actually linked to her first link. https://whatcanadaate.lib.uoguelph.c...ing-up-history If you scroll to bottom of that page and click on 100 Glorified Recipes it will take to https://whatcanadaate.lib.uoguelph.c...rified-recipes which shows Carnation recipe book from 1932 that can then be downloaded by clicking on the "Here" link on that page.

@OurWorkbench I'm a bit stymied, as I don't see how my 1st and 2nd links are connected.

There's so many of the old recipe books that can be downloaded on that site.
Here's where they can be found ...
https://whatcanadaate.lib.uoguelph.ca/exhibits

From that link, here's the 1924 Jello recipe booklet ...
https://whatcanadaate.lib.uoguelph.c...exhibit/item/6

And yes, I have sent myself down the internet rabbit hole on this .... and to think the originals are just a few kms away from moi!

If you are looking for cookie recipes check out we-energies.com/ recipes. The Wisconsin energy company put out cookie books every year. You can scroll
down as far as 1934. I still have the 1956 copy. After taping pages so many times, I pulled apart and put pages in plastic page protectors. You can see which are my favorites that I still make every year

i am sure biscuits were always available. Maybe add some flavored butter and jams

Cucumber sandwiches. At least that's what I'm told ladies way back then ate at teas and events. Don't ask me how to make them. I have no idea.

If you want to keep with the 30's ladies tea type theme, I'd go with finger sandwiches, mold salads and tiny cookies. Worked for the DAR teas I used to attend.

My parents grew up during the Depression and their thriftiness was instilled in me. Money was scarce but we ate good food because we grew our own. Chicken salad and egg salad sandwiches served with a pickle. Homemade buns and bread. Coffee cake. Chocolate cake, spice cake with real whipped cream on top. Angel food topped with a lemon sauce. Dinner was almost always meat, potatoes, gravy and a vegetable.