As Holiday Season is fast approaching, for this edition of Wednesday Reads I'm bringing you the Better Homes & Gardens Holiday Cook Book from 1959! I was fortunate enough to pick up a copy in perfect condition for just $1.99.
The book features the following chapters:
New Years Eve
February Days
St. Patricks Day
Easter
Halloween
Thanksgiving
Christmas
Foreign Fare
Birthdays and Anniversaries
Coffee, Tea and Punch Parties
Table Setting Tips
I think the Foreign Fare chapter is particularly delightful. I have another Better Homes & Gardens cookbook from the era called Meals with a Foreign Flair and I just love the retro take on Asian and Polynesian style cooking!
The book also features a lot of beautiful, full page photos of the lovely retro recipes featured. Check out this cute Halloween spread! It's decidedly non-spooky / icky compared with what we're accustomed to today!
Here's a section from the Foreign Fare chapter showcasing the beautiful layout of the book and the delightful drawings throughout.
If you have never tried Better Homes & Gardens vintage Cake Recipes before- you are missing out! I find that their cake recipes are often the best I will ever taste! I haven't tried those featured in this book yet however.
Your entertaining and Holiday needs from January to December are all covered in this charming book!
One thing that I do find a constant challenge, is converting retro recipes to being Vegetarian or Vegan friendly. Obviously, where there's a will there's a way but some books I find are too meat-centric. With this book however, I would say that at least 75% if not more of the stuff was easily converted.
I've been on a half hearted mission the last couple of years to collect all of the Better Homes & Gardens cookbooks from the late 50s and early 60s and I'm already making quite a dent. This one however has quickly become one of my favorites.
Look for it on Etsy or Amazon today!
Stay Glamorous!
