As we know it today the farm house life was plowing the fields, school for the kids and the farm wife taking care of the house hold chores. That is true back then and today. But for the most part the farm life started before the sun came up. Rise and shine, breakfast, father off to the fields, kids had chores before going to school. Mom well she started before dad and the kids ever got out of the bed. The thing we have to remember is that today we have it easy, go to the grocery store and get what ever you want from around the world. But back in the good old days, there weren’t many grocery stores, sorry General Stores. A general store carried everything from food to farm equipment, feed, and house hold items. A General store was a Wal-Mart, Sears, Farm supply, wrapped in one...

Hello All—Today we are looking at Desserts, why, because after every dinner meal there was desserts, for the kids. It was a long day, school, homework, chores and then relaxation with dessert. If I was a kid who back then had no TV, no computer games, and only maybe a radio to lesson to, then dessert was the highlight of the day. Here is something good, quick and you can have on hand for days.

Gingerbread
very old, old recipe

Cream 1/2 cup sugar with 1/2 cup lard,
add 1 cup molasses and Sift dry ingredients-2 1/2 cups flour,
1/2 tsp. each cloves and cinnamon,
1 1/2 tsp. soda,
1 tsp. ginger,
1/4 tsp. salt.

Then add to first mixture, with 1 egg beaten if you have one to spare. Last, add 1 cup boiling water. Bake about 30 minutes in 350 degree over. Use 9×12 inch pan or 2 smaller ones.

Easy,...

Good Day to all–Today I am looking at doing a casserole, why, I don’t have the time to prep, and hang out in the kitchen all day. So to help me and still give the family a good meal, casseroles are the best things out there. While the casserole is cooking, I can make the biscuits, veg’s, and dessert and still have time to, Oh yes cook dinner. Casseroles have been around for hundred of years , fast plain and easy to make. When there are 6 in the family and you are cooking 3 meals a day, yes 3 meals a day, here is a quick casserole, fun and taste great.

Scalloped Potatoes and Ham

3 cups potatoes-thinly sliced,
1/2 cup onion-minced,
1 1/2 cup ham-sliced (cooked),
2 to 2 1/2 cups hot milk, flour,

Arrange in alternate layers in a buttered 1 1/2 quart casserole. Sprinkle 1 tsp...

Good Morning and God Bless all of you. Be safe and cook “For the Love of Food”

Lord, Keep my mind free from the recital of endless details. Give me wings to get to the point. Seal my lips on my aches and pains. They are increasing and love of rehashing them is becoming sweeter as the years go by. I dare not ask for grace enough to enjoy the tales of other’s pain, but help me to endure them with patience.

God Bless

Morning, here is something I found and should be around even today.

“Hand Lotion”   Soak 1/8 ounce of gum tragacanth in 1 pint of distilled water overnight. Next day add 2 oz. glycerine, 2 oz. rubbing alcohol and 2 oz. cologne. Beat well with egg better. A few drops of red food coloring will make it pink is so desired. Bottle.

Yes the good old days,

Last Blast—Love Many, trust few, but always paddle your own canoe.

Most farms would have streams or ponds on them, This would give them fresh fish when needed. After the kids got home from school, mom would sent them out to catch dinner. What a treat to have fish instead of Beef. Here is something quick and simple but taste great.

Baked Fish

1 to 2 lbs. fresh fish fillet,
1 Tbs. butter-melted,
salt and pepper,
1/2 cup sour cream with chives or plain,
1 Tbs. flour,
1 Tbs. lemon juice,
1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese

Wash and pat dry with towel. Arrange fish in 8×10 baking dish. Brush with melted butter and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Combine sour cream, flour and lemon juice and spoon over fish. Sprinkle with cheese. Bake uncovered at 375 degrees for 25 minutes, can be doubled.

Here is a great tip I read—After using the lemon juice, dredge out the pulp fr...

This recipe is for the Ladies who were busy and needed to have free time to get other house hold chores done before dinner..

Beef Stew

1 1/2 lb. lean beef-cubed,
6 carrots-sliced,
3 onions-sliced,
1 cup celery-diced,
quartered potatoes,
1 can tomatoes-or fresh,
1 tsp.-salt,
3 Tbs.-minute tapioca,
1/2 cup fresh bread crumbs

Put in covered Dutch oven and bake in 250 degree oven for 5 hours.

Please enjoy the Stew.

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This is for those Farmers who started out farming as a young boy and has stayed with it for there entire life..

Remembering the good old days.

For 50 cents a Month

I wonder if any of you folks remember that boy who used to come around to your house at about 5 o’clock in the morning and get your old cow and about 30 others and drive them out to the pasture, about a mile and a half, and bring them back in the evening–rain or shine. Well I am that boy; you paid me 50 cents a month. (Thanks for the quote Oscar Burr, Wichita KS) Also you have to remember that if Oscar got the cows at 5 am, they were to have been milked before that.

I was asked once about appetizers and how come there are not a lot of them. Well back in the good old days there were not a lot of entertaining of guest. you worked hard during the week and Sundays were family day where if you served appetizers, they would be simple and good. Here is one for you.

Cheese Balls

1 cup grated New York Sharp cheese,
1 stick margarine,
1 cup flour,
Dash cayenne pepper and salt.

Mix well. Roll by hand into small balls. Chill. Bake  on cookie sheet 15-20 minutes at 400 degrees, Dust with paprika. Freeze if you care to.  Variation: Press down on ungreased cookie sheet with a cashew in center.

Hi my name is Chef Gene Carrol

I am writing this Cook book in hopes of letting you know how recipes were handed down from generation to generation. These recipes are from the early 1900 to about  1960. I have found them in old church cook books, woman groups, and from my Aunts and from talking to farm wives, that I have visited with and enjoyed hearing about there recipes. I am also going to inform you about facts I found, quotes I have read and pictures I have seen, There are going to be prayers and sayings along with house hold tips. The Midwest Cook book is my first adventure into the past and will not be the last. Please enjoy and ask many questions and I look forward to talking with you soon.

Thank you “For the Love of Food