Foodsploitation: Rest of the Story

It's been a fun two weeks for me posting these vintage cookbook covers, recipes and ads from my family's collection - and I hope regular readers have been enjoying this change-of-pace from the usual celebrity death reports, comic book nostalgia, movie reviews and other pop culture stuff I usually blog about. I thought I'd go out with a bang today with a smorgasbord of items from the 1950s through the 1980s - in no particular order.

 First up, we have this awesome cover from Crisco's Easy-As-Pie Recipes. Gotta love that illustration.

 As well as this great graphic accompanying these helpful Pastry Hints.

Let's flash-forward to the 1970s when everything burger-centric had to have MAC in it's name. Presenting the DoubleMAC hamburger cooking device. All I remember about this is that every burger that we cooked on it tasted like some chemical shit and we stopped using it about about a month and went back to cooking burghers in a pan.

Here's the Crisco lady's friend from the early 60s - she's got a head full of meal ideas, but seems frustrated on how to plan the whole she-bang. Too bad she can't time travel to the 1980s to learn the secrets of successful microwaving!

Yes - an entire series of cookbooks dedicated to microwave cooking? What's to know? Just press the damn ON button. I currently do not own a microwave oven, because not only do I not like rubbery food,  I'm convinced that they are harmful to us and one day will be looked at the way we look at saccharin. Remember Sweet 'N Low?

 The Farm Journal Family Test Group (whatever happened to them?) apparently thought you needed to sprinkle chemicals on your fresh fruit to make it sweeter. It looks, acts and tastes like sugar. Bull shit.

But wow - you can save 8040 Calories if you buy it in the bulk Kitchen Economy Package. Given the seal of approval by Good Housekeeping, this is a fitting end to my Foodsploitation series. Thanks for reading!

Foodsploitation: Another Awesome Cookbook Cover

pudding.

Foodsploitation Extra: Awesome Cookbook Covers

This pair of "cook booklets" have always been "suitable for framing" and maybe one day I will do just that - in the meantime I'd just like to share them with you.

Not sure what that floral-type shape is supposed to be - and I don't care. It just makes the design all the more special.

Obviously inspired by BEWITCHED, this witch isn't afraid to use her witchcraft in the kitchen, even if "sour cream" is her secret ingredient. Enjoy!

Foodsploitation: The TV GUIDE Cook Booklet

Remember how those Kraft-sponsored TV specials of the 1970s used to tell us to check the "recipe section in this week's TV GUIDE magazine"? Well, who know there was an actual TV GUIDE Cook Booklet?

Now you know.

Foodsploitation: Cold Cherry Soup

In these times, we often have to tighten our belts when it comes to culinary fare. Luckily the good folks at Farberware have gifted us with this elegantly printed "cookbook" called BUDGET SAVER RECIPES.

And here's a simple and CHEAP recipe that will probably not warm you up on a cold Spring evening. Cold Cherry Soup features a can of cherries, some corn starch, some sugar, cinnamon, lemon juice, s splash of booze and whipped cream. Soup! What the Farberware? I'm not sure what their definition of "soup" is - but this is clearly not soup by any stretch of the chef's imagination. It's goop at best. Wonder if a brave reader out there is willing to give this a try and tell us just how "good" it is.

Foodsploitation: Be Creative With Chili

I don't know about you but I always serve my Chili Sans Carne on a wrought iron display complete with a colorful faux flower arrangement! Now that's creative. Wondering what's on the back of this Chili recipe booklet from Ehler's Spices?

Why it's an ad for a "Special Offer" featuring three snazzy Early American Spice Racks (jars not included). These authentic racks were made by a fine old firm of of New England craftsmen! Wonder if they still make 'em? I feel sad for the family that only has the need for 8 jars of spices. Hey look, apparently Ehler's also made Coffee and Tea!

Celebrating My 550th Post

Anniversaries, birthdays, season premieres - it's like we're always celebrating something these days. Well, I've been busy celebrating all sorts of good things all weekend long, so I've fallen behind on my blogging. Enjoy this vintage cookbook spread while I regroup and figure out what the hell I'm gonna blog about tomorrow.

Entertaining - Dougsploitation Style

I've been thinking about entertaining lately. I'm not sure if it's because of recent acquisition of my mother's old cookbooks and entertaining guides, or seeing JULIE & JULIA, or my little obsession with The Food Network, but something about the quickly approaching season of Autumn makes me want to entertain more than usual. I wonder if those old books can help me out...
Hmmm...I wonder what "The Surprising Difference" was? Let's see, Susie's a California blond in a yellow kitchen, talking on a yellow phone. Her yellow and orange apron matches the wallpaper behind her. She just finished frosting some yellow cupcakes and it looks like a gelatinous "St. Joseph's Aspirin for children" flavored bundt cake is on the counter in front of her. I would guess the "The Surprising Difference" is that the pot of coffee is the only non-citrus item allowed in her kitchen?

I know, not really funny.
Meanwhile, in the rec room downstairs, the triplets (Midge, Kitty and Bitsy) have invited a few cleancut young lads over to a) listen to records b) play the guitar c) dance d) stuff their faces at the buffet. Check out that sexy surfer poster on the wall!
Later that night, with the triplets already in bed. Susie dons her avocado evening gown (you know, the one that came with the matching candles) for a romantic dinner with - hey who's that dude? That's not Bill! Bill's away on a business trip with Uncle Stan.
Well, whoever that guy was - he stayed for dinner AND breakfast the next morning. Susie has baked some fresh muffins and poured some of that coffee from yesterday.

She had time to put her hair up and to give her gentleman friend a gift - a yellow sweater to match her outfit and the "muffin cozy" to a t!
Meanwhile, in a different time zone, Bill is making friends with a lady in red. Uncle Stan has found him a new friend too. These guys really know how to "enjoy the Lively Life!" while they are away on business. Wonder if they can put hookers on their expense reports? So what have I learned so far? Wear lots of yellow, always have a handy buffet nearby and if you can't be with the one you love, love the one you're with.

Thanks, Susie (and Stephen Stills).