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| Norman Rockwell's cover for Literary Digest 1919 |
I was pondering the tradition of the "Thanksgiving Feast" and was rather curious to see how it has changed over the years. I was very surprised how it HAS NOT changed! Here are a few menus from my cookbook collection.
"The Original Fannie Farmer 1896 Cookbook" copyright 1896
Oyster Soup Crisp Crackers
Celery Salted Almonds
Roast Turkey
Cranberry Jelly Mashed Potatoes
Onions in Cream Chicken Pie
Squash
Fruit Pudding and Sterling Sauce
Mince, Apple and Squash Pie
Neapolitan Ice Cream Fancy Cakes
Fruit Bonbons
Nuts and Raisins Crackers and Cheese
Cafe Noir
"White House Cookbook" copyright 1899
~Breakfast~
Grapes Oak Flakes
Broiled Porterhouse Steaks
Codfish Balls Browned Potatoes
Buckwheat Cakes and Maple Syrup
Wheat Bread Coffee
~Dinner~
Oysters on Half Shells
Cream of Chicken Soup
Fried Smelts Sauce Tartare
Roast Turkey Cranberry Sauce
Mashed Potatoes Baked Squash
Boiled Onions Parsnip Fritters
Olives
Chicken Salad Venison Pastry
Pumpkin Pie Mince Pie
Charlotte Russe Almond Ice Cream
Lemon Jelly Hickory Nut Cake
Cheese Fruits
Coffee
~Super~
Cold Roast Turkey
Scalloped Oysters Potato Salad
Cream Short-cake Eclairs
Preserved Egg Plums
Tea
"Good Housekeeping's Book of Meals" copyright 1930
Menu #1
Cream of Mushroom Soup
Roast Turkey Giblet Gravy
Buttered Spinach Mashed Potatoes
Cauliflower with Hollandaise Sauce
Cranberry Jelly
Romaine Salad and French Dressing
Individual Pumpkin Pies
Nuts Whipped Cream
Raisins Coffee
Menu #2
Halves of Grapefruit
Roast Duck Apple Stuffing
Baked Sweet Potatoes
Creamed Turnips Cole-Slaw
Baked Squash
Cider Ginger Pudding
Foamy Sauce Coffee
"Betty Crocker's Good and Easy Cookbook" copyright 1954
"American Traditional"
Roast Turkey with Stuffing
Mashed Potatoes Giblet Gravy
Creamed Onions
Mashed Rutabagas
Cranberry Sauce Hot Rolls
Celery Hearts
Mince Pie Pumpkin Pie
Isn't that interesting?! I thought it was fascinating that Turkey, mashed potatoes and cranberries have all stayed consistent. One can also see as the years have gone by how the menu has been simplified. I thought it was very interesting that the updated Fannie Farmer Cookbook (1922) had the same dishes as the earlier edition.
Happy Cooking!!
And don't forget your Apron!!