Review: Far more than great recipes, it's a time-travel adventure!
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 07 17, 2012
The first thing that impressed me about this book is the opening.  It's the real deal, setting the context, showing us what it was like to grow up in the 1950s. The cultural notes, the way life was... wow!  This is a fun book even if you never get as far as the kitchen!The recipes are real, as well.  That is, the ingredients are exactly what your mom or grandmother used in her kitchen.  The mixing and cooking techniques are, too.  This is the wholesome stuff.Sure, in the 50s, there were clever things you could add to recipes, but a lot of moms and grandmothers stuck to the healthy, tried-and-true ingredients, and that's what you'll find in this cookbook.  Nothing risky, nothing tricky, nothing super-fancy, and nothing you'll have to search high and low to find.Some recipes take shortcuts. However, they're the same shortcuts that earned nods of approval -- and comments like, "Ooh, that's so clever!" -- in the 1950s.  For example, the no-bake Lemon Ice Box Pie recipe uses crushed vanilla wafers for the crust, with a little extra set aside for a topping.  Mom would approve.If you want to make healthier desserts than almost anything you can buy at the store, this is the cookbook you're looking for.  And, it's sure to bring smiles and praise like, "Wow. I remember when desserts used to taste really real, and really good like this...!"Like I said, this cookbook is the real deal:  Old-time recipes, using ingredients your mom and grandmother had in their kitchens.Plan a vintage/1950s themed dinner party or dessert party. (Break out the poodle skirts and bobby sox!)  These recipes are great starting points.And, each of these recipes can be ideal for church socials and potluck dinners, too.