Food Stamps

I had a conversation with a Group of Elderly that we catered a meal for today for a small Birthday.


Only 10 People who were all over 90 Years Old and in Great shape mentally. 


We made Fried chicken and seasoned the Hell out of it. Plus made all sides and used more then average seasoning and less salt. 


I asked them SIMPLE questions about the 1940's and 1950's because they would have good memories so memories from that time period.

Most had said as simple peasants farmers and homesteader that had limited money or had to survive on Food Stamps in that time period. 

They had ONLY salt, pepper, flour, baking powder, pickling spice, Vanilla, and some said one of the more common was Cake and Pastry spices Tin. 

They said they made BLAND food as they only cooked with LITTLE to NO Powdered spices. Fresh Onion, Garlic, Parsley, Dill, Green Onion, Carrot, Celery. Potatoes, Cabbage, Lettuce, Sweet peppers, pickles, Beets 

Most said they were LUCKY to have 4 spices with Salt and Pepper and THEY were typically the Blended spices, Chili, Poultry, BBQ Spice, Ketchup/Cathup Powder spice, they usually had the BLENDS as they wee much cheaper. 

ONLY 2 Family's had More then 6 items of spices and they had 10 or 12 spice kits on a Wall. 

They ALL said yes there were spices BUT they could not afford them until into the 1960's 

There were some who cooked commercially or helped kitchens staff in the 1940's they said the larger Kitchens commercial had more spices then the Homes 

They all said a similar answer they used the FRESH onions, garlic celery cabbage and BOX Grated it for seasoning effect on ROASTED Beef or Chicken and Pork. or a layered of Veggies in the same pot. 

 Many said the Stoves were almost 99% wood heated in the early days. Electric and gas were much later. so a stove was typically heated ALL day for home heating and cooking in winter and many summer it took 20 minutes to get the stove Lit and Hot with a fire.

they said SALT AND PEPPER were not spices in there mind it was LIFE essentials 

the most critical items were Flour, Salt, Pepper, Vanilla, Vinegar, Pickling Spice, Salt Peter,  Baking Powder, Baking Soda, Cream of Tarter, Alum, Fresh Lemons 

I asked them to write down on a paper what the spices were they remember from as far back as essential SPICES.

and I would retrieve it next week