Depression Era Recipes

The Great Depression era was a time of extreme economic hardship, and people had to make do with limited ingredients and resources. Here are some Depression-era recipes:

Potato Soup: Peel and dice 4-5 potatoes and boil them in 4 cups of water with salt and pepper until tender. Mash the potatoes, then add a cup of milk and a tablespoon of butter. Serve hot.

Depression-Era Spaghetti: Cook spaghetti and toss with a can of tomatoes and a can of corned beef. Season with salt, pepper, and grated cheese.

Cornbread: Mix 1 cup cornmeal, 1 cup flour, 1/4 cup sugar, 1 tablespoon baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1 beaten egg, 1 cup milk, and 1/4 cup vegetable oil. Pour into a greased baking dish and bake at 400°F for 20-25 minutes.

Depression-Era Stew: In a large pot, brown 1 pound of ground beef with a chopped onion. Add a can of tomatoes, a can of green beans, a can of corn, and a can of peas. Season with salt, pepper, and a dash of Worcestershire sauce.

Depression-Era Cake: Mix 1 1/2 cups flour, 1 cup sugar, 1/2 cup cocoa powder, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/3 cup vegetable oil, 1 tablespoon vinegar, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Add 1 cup water and mix until smooth. Bake in a greased pan at 350°F for 30-35 minutes.

These recipes are simple and use common ingredients that were available during the Great Depression. They may not be fancy, but they were filling and nourishing, and helped families survive during difficult times.