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nanascookbooks.bsky.social
Nana's CookBooks
@nanascookbooks.bsky.social
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Recipes and menus from my Nana's Cookbooks and other older cookbooks, sometimes pictures are included.
🌎SW Michigan
📚The Modern Family Cookbook 1943
📚 Betty Crocker's Picture Cook Book, 1950
📚The Fannie Farmer Cookbook, 1965
📚Joy of Cooking, 1975
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nanascookbooks.bsky.social
Nana's CookBooks @nanascookbooks.bsky.social · Jan 1
Welcome to my little side dish of a project exploring past cookbooks. I aim to look at recipes, meal plans, & menus from the 1900s to the 1970s. You can see what books I’m using in my profile. 
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nanascookbooks.bsky.social
I was wondering what the modern version of 1 of my cookbooks looks like. Thanks to my local library, I now know the difference between 1975 & 2019 @joyofcooking.bsky.social. I'm not saying you should put it on your Christmas wish list, but I wouldn't mind finding it under my Christmas tree.
2 copies of the Joy of Cooking books stacked on top of one another. The bottom one is from 2019, and the top one is from 1975.
November 28, 2025 at 8:12 PM
nanascookbooks.bsky.social
After yesterday's big meal, we need a little roughage to clean up our acts. 1950s Betty Crocker arrived with several salad options. Just start with a bed of your favorite greens and build away. Which would you choose? Let me know below. 🍽️ 🍜 #FoodSky #Cooking #Recipes #RecipeOfTheDay
6 large bowls of salad are shown in 1950, The Betty Crocker Picture Cook Book. From 1950, The Betty Crocker Cookbook Asparagus tips sprinkled with grated cheese on thick tomato slices. Raw cauliflowerets, shredded raw carrots, toasted almonds Thin slices of cooked beets sprinkled with finely cut fresh mint leaves, julienne strips of celery. Sprigs of young spinach leaves sprinkled with bits of crisp bacon, sieved hard-cooked egg. Grated raw carrots mixed with seedless raisins in lettuce cups. Overlapping beet and cucumber and raw onion slices. Halves of peeled chilled tomatoes sprinkled with chopped parsley or chives. Basil in the dressing. Chopped mixture of diced cucumber, to-mato, and celery, with minced onion and green pepper. Cut-up cooked asparagus and sliced hard-cooked eggs in tomato aspic. Small tomatoes stuffed with cottage cheese and chives or toasted almonds. Shredded carrots and diced celery sprinkled with lemon juice, chopped nuts, and mayonnaise ... mixed. Tomato slices topped with egg salad (cut-up hard-cooked eggs, diced celery, grated onion, mayonnaise). Parsley garnish.
November 28, 2025 at 1:13 PM
nanascookbooks.bsky.social
🍽️ 🍜 #FoodSky
nanascookbooks.bsky.social Nana's CookBooks @nanascookbooks.bsky.social · 1d
Happy Thanksgiving from Nana's table to yours.
From 1943, The Modern Family Cookbook by Meta Givens A holiday feast is shown featuring a roast Turkey, Corn on the cob, rolls, tarts, and other select dishes in glassware.
November 27, 2025 at 2:19 PM
nanascookbooks.bsky.social
Happy Thanksgiving from Nana's table to yours.
From 1943, The Modern Family Cookbook by Meta Givens A holiday feast is shown featuring a roast Turkey, Corn on the cob, rolls, tarts, and other select dishes in glassware.
November 27, 2025 at 1:14 PM
nanascookbooks.bsky.social
Taking center tomorrow, no not 🦃, PUMPKIN PIE!! 🥧 Nana’s cookbook has 3 recipes for this pie and I thought that this 3rd one was interesting enough to share. What do you think of version of the classic Thanksgiving dessert. 🍽️ 🍜 #FoodSky #Cooking #Recipes #RecipeOfTheDay
From 1943, The Modern Family Cookbook by Meta Givens PUMPKIN PIE No. 3 1 No. 2 tin pumpkin 4 eggs, beaten 2 cup orange marmalade 1/4 cups cream or evaporated milk 1 cup light brown sugar, firmly packed 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1 teaspoon ginger 2 tablespoons boiling water ¾ teaspoon salt 2 unbaked 8-inch pastry shells Choose good-flavored pumpkin. It may be used as it comes from the can, or may be put into a saucepan and stirred over direct heat until slightly caramelized. Combine pumpkin with beaten eggs, marmalade, cream or evaporated milk, and brown sugar; add the spices which have been mixed to a smooth paste with the boiling water, and the salt. Turn the mixture into unbaked pie shells. Bake in a hot oven (450° F.) for 15 minutes; then reduce heat to 300° F. (slow) for about 45 minutes longer. Cool before cutting. 2 pies—12 servings
November 26, 2025 at 2:10 PM
nanascookbooks.bsky.social
1 of the Thanksgiving menus I posted listed this recipe as a dessert. Nut Pie lets the cook choose the nut that will be suspended in a sweet, gooey concoction. Who wouldn't want to try a slice? Would you?? Let me know below. 🍽️ 🍜 #FoodSky #Cooking #Recipes #RecipeOfTheDay
From 1943, The Modern Family Cookbook by Meta Givens NUT PIE 1 cup brown sugar, firmly ½ teaspoon vanilla packed ½ cup nutmeats (pecans, 6 tablespoons flour hickory nuts, walnuts, etc.) 2 cups milk, scalded Cooled baked 8-inch pie shell 2 tablespoons butter (631) ¼ teaspoon salt ¼ cup granulated sugar 2 eggs, separated Pinch of salt Mix together brown sugar and flour; add scalded milk, butter, and salt. Bring to a boil and cook slowly over direct heat 5 minutes longer, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and slowly stir into the well-beaten egg yolks. Return to pan and cook 2 minutes longer, stirring constantly. Add vanilla and stir well; then add nuts and stir enough to distribute. Cool. Turn into a cooled baked pie shell. Beat egg whites until stiff. Then beat in granulated sugar and salt. Pipe this over surface of pie filling or spread it on so it touches the sides of the crust all around. Place in a moderate oven (350° F.) for 12 to 15 minutes, or until meringue is nicely toasted. Cool before serving. 5 to 6 servings.
November 25, 2025 at 1:59 PM
nanascookbooks.bsky.social
Well, @joyofcooking.bsky.social of 1975 couldn't be left out of the holiday menus. I stumbled across this Holiday menu of theirs and thought you should see it too. This menu elevates the gathering in my opinion, but tell me what you think.🍽️ 🍜 #FoodSky #Cooking #Recipes #RecipeOfTheDay #Menuoftheday
From 1975, Joy of Cooking A Holiday menu: Oysters Rockefeller Roast Stuffed Turkey with Chestnut Dressing Glazed Onions, Brussels sprouts with Hollandaise Sauce Filled Pimientos or Christmas Salad, on watercress Mince Pie,
November 24, 2025 at 1:39 PM
nanascookbooks.bsky.social
With Thanksgiving just five days away, now is a good time to post the third menu from 1943. As menus are finalized and ingredients are being bought, what do you think of this menu option? Let me know your thoughts below. 🍽️ 🍜 #FoodSky #Cooking #Recipes #RecipeOfTheDay
From 1943, The Modern Family Cookbook by Meta Givens A menu suggeston for: THANKSGIVING DINNER No. 3 Chilled Orange Juice Celery Olives Roast Turkey with Bread Dressing Creamed Potatoes Buttered Chayote Hot Corn Sticks with Butter and Guava Jelly Avocado, Apple, Lime, and Fresh Cocoanut Salad * Coffee Mints Nuts * Quartered avocado filled with diced red apples and grated fresh coconut, served with French Dressing made with lime juice instead of vinegar or lemon juice.
November 23, 2025 at 1:30 PM
nanascookbooks.bsky.social
Nana's Saturday meal plan is ready for your thoughts. With an interesting start to the morning, it gets better as the day goes on. Gingersnaps at lunch and a warm soup for dinner. Let me know your thoughts below. 🍽️ 🍜 #FoodSky #Cooking #Recipes #RecipeOfTheDay #Menuoftheday
From 1943, The Modern Family Cookbook by Meta Givens a meal plan for: SATURDAY Breakfast Puffed raisins on hot rolled oats with top milk Toast with butter, jelly Coffee for adults.. milk for children Luncheon Escalloped cabbage with broiled bacon Orange Waldorf salad Gingersnaps Tea for adults. . milk for children Dinner Chicken rice soup Croutons Pea and potato casserole Carrot and cabbage salad Bread and butter Lemon chiffon pudding Coffee for adults. milk for children
November 22, 2025 at 2:17 PM
nanascookbooks.bsky.social
Sweet Potato Pie is a common alternative to Pumpkin Pie this time a year. They look nearly identical. This recipe from 1965 Fannie Farmer is quick and simple to prepare. No pie crust, no problem. Sweet Potato Pudding for everyone! 🍽️ 🍜 #FoodSky #Cooking #Recipes #RecipeOfTheDay
From 1965, The Fannie Farmer Cookbook Sweet Potato Pie Set the oven at 425°. Line a 9-inch pie pan with Plain Pastry Mix 1½ cups mashed cooked sweet potatoes 1 egg, well beaten 1 cup milk 1 teaspoon vanilla or l tablespoon rum Sugar, salt and spices to taste 2 tablespoons melted butter Spoon into the pie shell. Bake until brown (about 30 minutes). Sweet Potato Pudding. Pile into a buttered baking dish instead of a pie shell. Bake as above.
November 21, 2025 at 1:32 PM
nanascookbooks.bsky.social
1 week until US Thanksgiving, and here's the 2nd Dinner option for the Holiday. This looks a little more traditional, but you tell me what you think. Is this what Thanksgiving spread will look like?🍽️ 🍜 #FoodSky #Cooking #Recipes #RecipeOfTheDay #Menuoftheday
From 1943, The Modern Family Cookbook by Meta Givens THANKSGIVING DINNER No. 2 Apple Cider Roast Turkey with Bread Dressing Candied Sweet Potatoes Buttered Green Beans Hot Rolls with Butter Pickled Peaches Cabbage Salad Pumpkin Pie American Cheese Coffee
November 20, 2025 at 1:39 PM
nanascookbooks.bsky.social
We've reached the mid-week hump. Who needs a little pick-me-up to get through the day? Maybe some very fresh OJ with a little kick of Vodka? Who's going to know? I'm not telling. Are you??🤫😉
🍽️ 🍜 #FoodSky #Cooking #Recipes #RecipeOfTheDay
From 1975, Joy of Cooking SCREWDRIVER Shake well with ¾ cup cracked ice: 2 jiggers vodka 6 jiggers very fresh orange juice Strain into chilled glasses decorated with a small slice of orange. If the orange juice is bland, this drink benefits from a small quantity of sweetened lemon juice to taste.
November 19, 2025 at 1:30 PM
nanascookbooks.bsky.social
In 1975, @joyofcooking.bsky.social recipe for a Combination Salad refers to this as Maurice Salad. I thought Maurice was a Space Cowboy, not a chef. 😉 Anyway, let's get our veggies in today with this nice, sizable Salad. What do you say?🍽️ 🍜 #FoodSky #Cooking #Recipes #RecipeOfTheDay
From 1975, Joy of Cooking A recipe option for a Combination Salad What various chefs call their Maurice Salad has spread like a brushfire all over America and abroad. Ours is not the original version, which was put together by a Cincinnatian; but at least the ingredients, except for the optional ones, remain fairly orthodox. Place in each of 2 sizable salad bowls: A bed of shredded crisphead lettuce Divide and arrange on the top of each: ½ cup julienned cooked chicken ½ cup julienned baked ham (10 or 12 strips julienned Swiss cheese) Add to each bowl: (1 or 2 chopped anchovies) (A few capers) Garnish with: 2 sections skinned, quartered tomatoes 2 quarters hard-cooked egg Toss with a dressing made of: ½ chopped hard-cooked egg 1 teaspoon finely chopped chives ¾ cup Mayonnaise, 363 1 teaspoon lemon juice 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce 1 tablespoon chopped dill pickle or pickle relish (1 pressed clove garlic)
November 18, 2025 at 3:10 PM
nanascookbooks.bsky.social
It was probably common, given the era. Nowadays, we wouldn't use waxed paper for something going into the oven.
November 17, 2025 at 4:39 PM
nanascookbooks.bsky.social
I think cake is a great way to start our week. This 1943 Apple Sauce Cake is perfect for the fall season, and it sounds like it gets better through the week. What do you think, does anyone want a slice to go with their breakfast? 🍽️ 🍜 #FoodSky #Cooking #Recipes #RecipeOfTheDay
November 17, 2025 at 1:46 PM
nanascookbooks.bsky.social
I hope, by now, you know what to expect with the 1943 Sunday meal plan. A simple Breakfast, a Big mid-day meal, and something to tide you over later at night. Keep in mind the word was different 80+ years ago when you look at today's meal & let me know what you think. 🍽️ 🍜 #FoodSky #Menuoftheday
From 1943, The Modern Family Cookbook by Meta Givens a meal plan for: SUNDAY Breakfast Stewed figs Cooked whole wheat cereal with top milk. Scrambled eggs Toast with butter. Coffee for adults. . milk for children Dinner- Spareribs and sauerkraut Mashed potatoes Pear salad Bread and butter Chocolate Bavarian Coffee for adults. milk for children Supper Olive nut sandwiches Orange raisin salad Cocoa for all
November 16, 2025 at 1:44 PM
nanascookbooks.bsky.social
Today's meal plan from 1943 should have something for everyone, even if it isn't at the same time. Plus, we have a bonus tip about Cheese. I suspect I'll see a lot of you for lunch at Nana's table today. 😉 Let me know your thoughts below. 🍽️ 🍜 #FoodSky #Cooking #Recipes #Menuoftheday
From 1943, The Modern Family Cookbook by Meta Givens A meal plan for: SATURDAY Breakfast Grapefruit halves Soft-cooked eggs Streusel coffee cake, Coffee for adults. cocoa for children. Luncheon Baked macaroni and cheese No. 2 Crab apple pickles Whole wheat bread and butter Blackberries Tea for adults. . milk for children. Dinner Escalloped oysters Carrot sticks Buttered spinach Bread and butter...... Cherry tapioca Coffee for adults.. milk for children Cheese is a temperamental food. Respect it when making rarebit.
November 15, 2025 at 2:26 PM
nanascookbooks.bsky.social
Good Morning, kiddos! Breakfast is ready. Gather around the table for 1975 @joyofcooking.bsky.social Apples & Bacon, "a fine breakfast or luncheon dish". At 1st I was a no, but with a little more thought, "It's Friday, why not!". What do you think of this dish? 🍽️ 🍜 #FoodSky #Cooking #RecipeOfTheDay
From 1975, Joy of Cooking SAUTÉED APPLES AND BACON 4 Servings A fine breakfast or luncheon dish. Pare and core: Tart cooking apples Cut them into cubes. There should be about 4 cups. Sauté in a heavy skillet: 8 slices bacon Remove the bacon when crisp. Keep it hot. Leave about 2 tablespoons of fat in the skillet. Add: 2 tablespoons vegetable oil Add the apples. Sauté uncovered over high heat until translucent. Sprinkle with: 2 tablespoons white or brown sugar Place apples on a hot platter. Surround them with the bacon. Serve garnished with: Parsley
November 14, 2025 at 1:15 PM
nanascookbooks.bsky.social
Thanksgiving is just 2 weeks away here in the USA. Nana's got us covered with 3 options for the meal. Option #1 comes from Baton Rouge, LA, with Baked Ham as the Centerpiece. What do you think of Hazel's meal plan? 🍽️ 🍜 #FoodSky #Cooking #Recipes #RecipeOfTheDay #Menuoftheday
From 1943, The Modern Family Cookbook by Meta Givens 1 of 3 Thanksgiving Dinner meal plans THANKSGIVING DINNER No. 1 Tomato Juice Cocktail Oyster Bisque Celery Olives Pickles Baked Ham Escalloped Sweet Potatoes and Apples Baked Winter Squash Buttered Turnip Greens Hot Cornbread & Hot Biscuits Butter-Blackberry Jelly Grapefruit Salad Nut Pie Black Coffee _From HAZEL BRATLEY Extension Nutritionist, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
November 13, 2025 at 1:56 PM
nanascookbooks.bsky.social
I'm just realizing tonight that we are just 2 weeks out from (U.S.) Thanksgiving. Many of you were not with me last year, so you're in for a new treat. Thanksgiving meal plans from 1943. I'll post 1 of 3 options tomorrow morning. 🍽️ 🍜 #FoodSky #favoritethings
a chef is standing in a kitchen with a bowl of food in front of him
Alt: a chef is standing in a kitchen with a bowl of food in front of him
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November 13, 2025 at 12:24 AM
nanascookbooks.bsky.social
Sourdough bread has been having a moment for a while, but what about sourdough cake in this case, from 1975 @joyofcooking.bsky.social Sourdough Chocolate Cake. What do you think? 🍽️ 🍜 #FoodSky #Cooking #Recipes #RecipeOfTheDay
From 1975 Joy of Cooking SOURDOUGH CHOCOLATE CAKE One 9-Inch Square Pan or Two 8-Inch Round Pans Please read About Sourdough, 554. » Have all ingredients about 70° Preheat oven to 350° Cream thoroughly: 6 tablespoons butter 1 cup sugar Add and beat: 2 eggs Stir in, then beat well: 1 cup Sourdough Starter ¾ cup milk 3 oz. melted semisweet chocolate 1 teaspoon vanilla Sift together: 1¾ cups sifted all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking soda ½ teaspoon salt Fold the flour mixture into the batter and stir until smooth. Pour into greased pans and bake about 40 minutes for one square pan or 25 minutes for two round pans. Sprinkle over this moist cake. Sifted powdered sugar
November 12, 2025 at 3:12 PM
nanascookbooks.bsky.social
Fannie Farmer wants you to have options when it comes to Acorn Squash. Bake it, Glaze it, Stuff it. Which way will you choose? Let me know below. 🍽️ 🍜 #FoodSky #Cooking #Recipes #RecipeOfTheDay
From 1965, The Fannie Farm Cookbook Baked Acorn Squash One squash serves 2 people. Cut in half but do not remove the seeds. Put on a cooky sheet, cut side up. Bake at 400° until soft (30 to 45 minutes). Scrape out the seeds and fibers and discard. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Put a bit of butter in each. Glazed Acorn Squash. Just before serving, sprinkle with brown or maple sugar. Set in the oven again and bake until the sugar melts. Stuffed Acorn Squash. Fill the baked squash with Tomatoes Creole or, as a lunch or supper dish, with creamed chicken or ham. Sprinkle with buttered crumbs. Bake until brown.
November 11, 2025 at 1:39 PM
nanascookbooks.bsky.social
Monday is already heavy enough; maybe a "light as a feather" muffin could help start the day. 1950, Betty Crocker presented this simple recipe for a muffin. They're small, so you should grab 2 or 3. What do you think? 🍽️ 🍜 #FoodSky #Cooking #Recipes #RecipeOfTheDay
From 1950, The Betty Crocker Picture Cookbook "LICHT-AS-FEATHER" MUFFINS One of the specialties of Mrs. K's Toll House, Silver Springs, Maryland, famous for its wonderful food and charming atmosphere. Mix together thoroughly .. ¼ cup sugar ¼ cup soft shortening Blend in .. 1 egg Sift together.. 1¾ cups sifted SOFTASILK Cake Flour 4 tsp. baking powder ½ tsp. salt and stir in alternately with . . 1 cup milk Fill greased muffin cups ⅔ full. Bake until golden brown. Serve hot. TEMPERATURE: 375° (quick mod. oven). TIME: Bake 20 to 23 min. AMOUNT: 14 to 16 small muffins.
November 10, 2025 at 1:49 PM
nanascookbooks.bsky.social
It's Sunday Morning, how are we feeling today? Here's Nana's 1943 Sunday meal plan for you, and it's something else. At least there's pie today. And before you ask, celery cabbage is better known now as Napa Cabbage. Feel free to share your thoughts below.🍽️ 🍜 #FoodSky #Cooking #Menuoftheday
From 1943, The Modern Family Cookbook by Meta Givens A meal plan for: SUNDAY Breakfast Sliced bananas on prepared cereal with top milk Raisin toast with butter. Coffee.. hot milk Dinner Baked acorn squash with broiled little pig sausages Escalloped potatoes Buttered green beans Celery cabbage salad Whole wheat bread and butter.. Cocoanut cream pie Coffee. milk for children. Supper Hot tomato bouillon Carrot butter sandwiches Grapes Cocoa for all The Chinese gave us celery cabbage. They call it petsai.
November 9, 2025 at 1:30 PM
nanascookbooks.bsky.social
Good Saturday Morning! We have a great meal plan that Nana thinks everyone will be happy with. Luncheon features yesterday's recipe, but if you are interested in a different recipe, let me know and I'll get it from Nana. 🍽️ 🍜 #FoodSky #Cooking #Recipes #RecipeOfTheDay #Menuoftheday
From 1943, The Modern Family Cookbook by Meta Givens A meal plan for: SATURDAY Breakfast Grapefruit juice Prepared cereal with top milk Whole wheat toast with butter. Jelly Coffee for adults. cocoa for children Luncheon Cream of salmon soup Crisp crackers or toast.. Banana doughnuts Celery and radishes Coffee for adults.. milk for children Dinner Cheese fondue Buttered spinach Cole slaw Bread and butter Stewed apples Coffee.. buttermilk for children.
November 8, 2025 at 1:36 PM