I have recently got on this vintage cookbook kick, I simply can’t get enough of them! I have always thought life seemed so much more simple in the past and that’s how I feel about vintage cookbooks too. The recipes use products you would have on hand, not products that you rarely hear of. My grandma recently gave me several of her old cookbooks including this one from Better Homes and Gardens the 1965 Edition. I also love the old pictures mostly all in black and white and that even as the years pass the foundation of recipes always stay the same.
When I opened up the page at the top she has a note in it that says…
“To Bonnie from your Unit, ‘The Poly Dolls.'” – Jun 17th, 1966
This was given to my grandma when she had to quit selling Tupperware because she was moving to Michigan from Oklahoma back in the 60’s. She was an amazing Tupperware sales woman. She even got a car because she sold so much. I am fairly certain she still has a lot of that Tupperware too.
I guess I just find this funny because shortly after they moved to Michigan, my dad was hired on at Ford along with my grandpa. Then, he met my mom and some 40 plus years later my parents and the rest of the family are now in Oklahoma thanks to a job transfer back in the 70’s. My dad just recently left Ford within the last few months due to the plant shutting down here in Oklahoma after 42 years of service. It is just incredible how much things have changed, staying in the same job that long is virtually unheard of nowadays.
It’s funny how little notes like this can bring a life time of stories and memories.
What’s your favorite vintage cookbook?
Comments & Reviews
I have a set of BH&G cookbooks called The Encyclopedia of Cooking. They r from the late 60’s I think. Love them !!!
Wow!! I bet those are great, I love this one!
GREAT POST! I so enjoyed reading this. I also like “old time” recipes because you are right, they usually only require ingredients you would easily have in your pantry and fridge. I love that! I would love it if you shared some of your favorites on your website for those of us “lacking” in the old cookbook area. Also, I completely agree with you about job stability. It is very very seldom that anyone stays at a job for 40 some years now. Our kids will never know what they means, it’s sad.
You call the cookbook vintage. When I got mine in 1967, it was called a wedding gift! It is still a favorite after all these years! It’s a little difficult to use because it’s falling apart from so much use!
Haha!! Too funny, that must mean you got a lot of use out of it though. I really love it, can’t wait to try the recipes.
Hi,
I desperately need the Spaghetti meat sauce recipe out of that book! Can you send it to me? PLease??? My Mum had this book and I used to make the spaghetti from it and while I try to do the same thing today it never quite works out! You have my email. I’d be forever grateful! It tastes sooo good.
Karen
Are you looking for the one from the plaid or the gold cookbook?
I lost my mom’s BH&G cookbook when my house burned down. I’m also looking for the spaghetti sauce recipe. If you could spare the time would you please send a copy to me, too?
[email protected]
TIA
Here is a link to one I believe it’s the one in the cookbook – https://www.questia.com/newspaper/1P2-32880108/long-simmered-spaghetti-sauce-a-classic
Karen- Email me at [email protected] and I’ll see if it’s in there. If you are looking for the one out of the plaid book. Thanks!
I think I found the recipe under a different book title . I used to use better homes and the sauce is not the same on the internet . This is the web page where I found the recipe I used to cook. https://www.questia.com/newspaper/1P2-32880108/long-simmered-spaghetti-sauce-a-classic
I owned the 1965 plaid Better Homes & Garden cookbook for over 30 years, but somehow during a move it disappeared. I am going to order a used copy from amazon, but in the meantime I wanted to bake the Orange Drop cookies for my grandchildren for Christmas. Any chance you could send me the recipe? You have no idea how much I would appreciate it! Thanks
I wish I could! We are in the middle of moving, so it’s packed in a storage unit, but if I get out before you get yours, I’ll post it here.
I need a Tamale Pie receipe from the Better Home & Garden cookbook published in 1953, 1963 ,1965 edition on page 66. my house burned several years ago & the new cookbook for tamale pie is not the same. Hope yoy can help me. Thank you
Here is the one in this book:
Tamale Pie
1 Cup Chopped Onion
1 Cup Chopped Green Pepper
3/4 Lb Ground Beef
2 8oz Cans Seasoned Tomato Sauce
1 12oz Can Whole Kernel Corn, Drained
1 Cup Chopped Ripe Olives
1 Clove Garlic, Minced
1 Tbsp Sugar
1 Tsp Salt
2-3 Tsp Chili Powder
Dash of Pepper
1 2/ Cups Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese
Corn Meal Topper:
3/4 Cup Yellow Corn Meal
1/2 Tsp Salt
2 Cups Cold Water
1 Tbsp Butter
Instructions –
Cook onion and green pepper in a little hot fat till just tender. Add in the meat and brown lightly. Add in the next 8 ingredients and simmer 20-25 minutes until thick. Add in the cheese and stir until melted. Pour into a 10x6x1.5 inch pan.
Topper – Stir corn meal and salt into cold water. Cook and stir until thick. Add in the butter and mix well. Spoon over hot meat mixture in 3 lengthwise strips.
Bake in the oven at 375* for 40 minutes.
I have areal old BHG cookbook and my favorite recipe in it I for the Peanut Butter Cookies. My book is old and very used and the entire page including this recipe is gone. Anyone HELP.
I don’t know if its too late but I have a BH&G i got at my wedding shower in 1969 and it has a pp cookie recipe. i can send it to you if you want. or put it in here, but don’t want to if you have already gotten it. Let me know here.
Barb Baker
I still have my 1955 BH&G Junior Cookbook! My favorite recipe was the Chocolate Chipper Macaroons!! So much fun to make and so easy. Best of all they are super yummy. My granddaughters are coming this weekend and I think it is time to introduce them to this recipe!! I tried to find this recipe on the BH&G website but its not there. Boo hoo
BArb
Am trying to find a Polish Christmas gingerbread cake with plum sauce and hard sauce recipe from the 1960s vintage BHG Dessert Cookbook.
Does anyone out there still have a copy of this recipe. Would love to have it
for my family for this Christmas season.
Thank you all so much.
HI I am looking for two vintage recipes from BH&G circa 1963/1964
One is the Spaghetti and Meat Sauce made with mushrooms, herbs and a whole onion cut into rings. It was more of a Boglognese.
The other recipe is for stuffed baked pork chops, with a bread stuffing base with canned corn added and maybe a little stock. I would be so happy and grafeful if anyone has these recipes. Thanks, Alex
[email protected]
I am looking for a recipe for Spaghetti with green sauce from I guess, late 60s early 70s cookbook? It called for cream cheese, butter, parmesan cheese, dried basil. it was so good, and I have tried to recreate it- (maybe not as good as I remember, but I would sure love to know!)
8 oz cream cheese
1/4 cup olive oil
3 T basil
2/3 cup boiling water
2 T parsley
1/4 cup butter
1/3 cup parmasan
1 clove garlic
1/2 t pepper
melt basil, parsley, in butter blend in cream cheese, parm, garlic, pepper, boiling water mix in cooked pasta
I hope you love it as much as I have all my life…..
Thank you!
thanks so much for publishing this recipe. I’ve been looking for it for a while!
I have the 1953 Better Homes and Gardens New Cook Book and am looking the spaghetti and meatball recipe, think it is on Page 165 that I am missing! Thank you. Dee
I have it and will send it to your email address.
I have the plaid cookbook and it has the 10 minute Spaghetti Sauce recipe. Is this the one your looking for? My email is [email protected], let me know. Janet
I have this cookbook and I can’t believe you remembered the correct page number! N If you didn’t get the recipe let me know.
I just found your blog. Do you have a recipe from the Plaid BHG cookbook for “Spaghetti Platter Dinner”?. My Mom used to make it all the time and my sis and i really want to recreate it.
Thank you from Canada!
Unfortunately, I misplaced it!! I’ve been looking though, if I find it again I will let you know the recipe.
I’m looking for a recipe for oven BBQ spare ribs. I don’t know which edition it’s in but I’d give the world for that recipe. I think it was on page 263. left hand page in a ring binder. Recipe is at the tope left corner of the page.
AND
recipe for Scalloped Potatoes Supreme. I have no idea what happened to my cook when I moved. I hope someone has the edition with these two recipes in it. Two of the easiest and BEST recipes I’ve ever had…
Please help me find these recipes.
Marge Mayo
Thank you for looking for the recipes.
I’m going to email you pictures of the ones I have in the book.
Hey, I use my Mom’s red plaid cookbook all the time. Like other people mine too is falling apart. Tonight I went to look up Moms Bread and butter pickles and ketchup recipes. Mom canned both alot. Guessing she pulled out pages 148/149 for easier access, or I lost them. Sad! If I could get those 2 recipes I’d be forever grateful. Thank you.
I’m going to email them to you.
I have this same BH&G cookbook that was passed to me by my mom.
I made the peanut butter cookies from this book in 1970 when I was 12.
The only recipe I use for Italian Meat Sauce is from this book.
Thanks.