Hob Nail Milk Glass

One of the things I have from my grandmother's kitchen is a milk glass hob nail juice pitcher and glasses.  They were displayed in a set of built in shelves that separated her kitchen and
breakfast nook.  Not only were they displayed but used.  When I would spend the night
she would fix orange juice for breakfast and serve it in this set.  It made me feel special.
And it left me with great memories.

Banana Pudding 50s Style

 

 

 

 

Hello and I hope your week is going well.  This picture reminds me of standing and
watching my grandmother cook.  She didn't have tile and her "range" as they called
it then, was much bigger but she did have white cabinets and a little "helper".

I wanted to share her banana pudding recipe today.  It takes a little time, but it
is oh so worth it. 


1 box of vanilla wafers--the real thing--no substitutes
4 egg yolks
1 cup of sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract--the real thing--no substitutes
3 tablespoons of flour
3 cups milk--whole milk adds more flavor but more calories, too
3 bananas

Break and put egg yolks into a medium to large sauce pan.  Using a whisk, add sugar
and stir until blended.  Add vanilla and flour.  Whisk and blend very well.  Now whisk
(stir) in milk until very smooth and blended.  Begin cooking on medium heat.  You
need to stir slowly but almost constantly so it doesn't stick.  Here's where we build
character :).  This takes a little time but again, it's worth it.  When your mixture begins
to thicken, take off heat and stir really well.  Let it cool and as it does, pour 1/2 of box
of wafers into a pretty bowl (we want all your hard work to show and be pretty).  Slice
bananas and place on top of wafers.  Pour pudding over all.  Use 1/4 of the box of
wafers to place on top of pudding.  Let it fully cool and become your family's hero!

Let's visit again soon!

Tea Anyone?

 

Don't you just love tea parties?  So much fun!  Another good memory from
my grandmother's kitchen was the days we would have a tea party.  I still
have many of her teacups from a large collection she had.  Sometimes we
would go downtown to a gift shop.  Part of the store was a pharmacy and
part was a lovely gift store.  All the town's brides had their bridal registries
there.  They also sold a fancy, delicious tea.  My grandmother would buy
a box and home we would go to have a cup of tea.  It has a wonderful flavor
and to this day whenever I fix myself a cup, I am transported in my mind back
to that wonderful kitchen and the fun I had being "grown up" enough to have
a cup of tea in those fancy cups and saucers.  This delicious tea is still around
and you should be able to find it--if not, try the internet.  I heartily recommend
it--and so would Mrs. Barrett.  Enjoy your Thursday!

This sweet little tea cup and saucer were from her demitasse collection.

This Weather Calls for Chili

  A red stool just like this one sat in my grandmother's kitchen and often I sat on it.  She
thought I was just talking to her but I was watching and learning as we talked.

My grandparents owned a grocery store which had a meat market in it.  Often they used
a huge cooker--probably an early version of a crock pot; just much, much larger.  In the
meat market my grandfather would cook stews and chilis.  I don't remember them using
any mixes, just separate ingredients.  In my attempts at healthy living and cooking, I have
dropped the mixes and used ingredients from my kitchen.  Since it's cold right now, I am
putting my grandmother's chili recipe on here.


2 lbs ground beef  (or turkey)
3/4 tsp salt
3/4 tsp pepper
3/4 tsp garlic powder
3/4 tsp minced onions
1 tsp ground cumin
5tsp chili powder
26 oz ranch style beans, or pintos, kidney beans. etc
15 oz can of tomato sauce

Place meat, salt, and pepper, garlic powder, and onions in a large pot and brown meat.
After meat is browned, drain and add cumin, chili powder, beans, and tomato sauce.  Turn
heat down and continue cooking and stirring so it won't stick.  Turn down to simmer to finish
cooking.  This should be enough for two meals for four people.  Endless possibilities:  chili dogs,
frito pie, chili over baked potatoes, cheese added to chili to make chili cheese dip--just about
anything!  Stay warm.

Debbie

Hello and Welcome

Hello and welcome to Mrs. Barrett's Kitchen.  This will be a fun blog about homemaking and recipes from the 1950s and 60s.  It is primarily about my grandmother, Lora Louise Barrett who was born in
1909.  Some of my best childhood memories took place beside her in her kitchen as she went about
her day, not realizing she was shaping and forming a future homemaker.  I hope you'll enjoy these
thoughts and recipes and weave them into your own way of homemaking.  I'll be back soon to visit
with you. 


Debbie