Nope, I'm not going to attempt to validate or explain my fascination with these vintage mini-cookbooks. I have no nostalgia for a "simpler time." Honestly, I'm pretty sure that eating a steady diet of the meals contained in any of these books will lead to an early, and probably painfully slow, death. Stuffed Eggs in Gelatin Mayonnaise, anyone? "This makes an attractive dish for a light luncheon or supper."
That said, there are so many of these little delights; it seems that from the dawn of time every appliance and ingredient manufacturer in the universe has put out specialized cookbooks. They're just as addictive - and useful - as trading cards. I'll trade ya - Good Housekeeping's Little Book of Cookies for your All Day Singin' and Dinner.
I'm fascinated. Riveted. Completely enamored with the 375 things I can do with Jell-O, most of which violate some laws of nature. Grape Juice Bavarian, Cherry Cheese Charmer, Ribbon Loaf, Souffle Salad... what's not to love? Well, maybe the Tangy Cabbage Salad's not on everyone's must-eat list, but even the worst offenders (hands up, who wants seconds of Tuna Ring Mold with Olives and Radishes?) are photographed in beautiful Technicolor.
And Bananas! One mini-cookbook alone has 56 recipes for bananas - fluted, mashed, sliced, fried, cheese-coated, fluffed, baked in a pie. Yes, I can make a 4-course meal of banana goodness: Broiled Banana appetizers, Banana (fake)Meat Loaf, Banana Rice Savory, and Banana Grape Marlow for dessert. Also worth noting are the educational tidbits like, "Old Folks find sweet, ripe bananas a pleasant, satisfying treat - easy to chew, easy to digest, low in protein, high in quick food energy." Good to know, good to know.
Got a can of Diet Shasta Black Cherry soda? My copy of The Diet Shasta Recipe Booklet has instructions for whipping it into a quick and tasty Shoestring Beet Salad. And who'da thunk of livening up mushroom soup or stuffed zucchini with a can of Diet Ginger Ale? Well, me, after reading through this petite tome. My only concern is that there are no recipes containing the bestest of all Diet Shasta flavors, Diet Chocolate Fudge - how can that be?
An entire cookbook devoted to Sweetened Condensed Milk? Bring it on! Even though odds are I'll never have an occasion to make Magic Fruit Cream Sauce, I feel better just knowing that I know how. And if I'm ever called to turn plain ol' white bread into cake, I can! You can too! All one needs to do is roll it in condensed milk and coconut.
Not to be bested, Sour Cream, The Gourmet Touch to Everyday Cooking will delight with everything from Stroganoff Pizza to Turkey and Crab Stuffed Squash on the Half-Shell. The good folks at the American Dairy Council knew what they were doing when they put the word "party" in front of the most mundane of recipes and gave the booklet snappy little magic wand illustrations.
250 Delectable Desserts does not lie - and surprisingly, they all do indeed look delicious. From Apple Charlotte to Tutti Fruity Trifle, the recipes are fun, easy, and if your pantry is well-stocked with rennet, lard, and dried prunes, you can make a tasty treat with no fuss at all.
The Wonders of Cheese - recipes so delicious, they can't help but sound dirty - Nippy Cheddar Savories! Snappy Cocktail Spritz! Hot Camembert Morsels! Those are phrases I'd expect to see on a triple-x marquee, not a appetizer platter, yet there they are.
And that's the beauty of it.
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