So I have been seeing Tweets over the past week or so from Kate Kerrigan (@katekerrigan), author of Ellis Island and the just released City of Hope, about cooking in the Great Depression. See Tweets below:
Kerrigan’s new book is set in the 1930’s and Depression cooking must be an aspect she explores in the book (haven’t read it yet but will be in a week or so). These Tweets made me curious and I clicked on the links to check out where this cooking was coming from. And that is when I discovered Great Depression Cooking with Clara!
This is a series of Youtube videos featuring Clara making some of her favorite recipes her mother used to make them during the Depression. Her grandson put the videos together as a way to remember the cooking because Clara is in her 90’s. She also gives a little bit of personal history about what was going on during that time or memories the recipe evokes. Not only was it interesting to see what they ate during the Depression (which was actually heartier than what I had originally been led to believe) but it actually provides us with cheap and relatively nutritious meals that could be served today when money is tight. The below video is about pizza, but you can watch the whole Season 1 and Season 2 playlists.
With the success of the videos a cookbook was born called Clara’s Kitchen: Wisdom, Memories, and Recipes from the Great Depression. Like her videos, her recipes tell a story as well as tell you how to cook it. You can read an excerpt on the Amazon page. I don’t own this book yet, but I just might pick it up!
I think I will be trying out Clara’s Egg Drop Soup this week and if I do, it will hopefully be up in next weekend’s edition of Weekend Cooking.
Here are some choices for purchasing the book: Amazon, B&N, RJ Julia (my fav indie bookstore).
Weekend Cooking is hosted by Beth Fish Reads. Any post remotely related to cooking can participate.
Copyright © 2013 by The Maiden’s Court
Oh yes!!! I love Clara. I haven't watched every single episode or read her book, but I like her personality and it's fun to hear her stories.
ReplyDeleteI have only watched 2 or 3 episodes but I love hearing her stories. She is what I wished my grandmothers would have been like - neither were much in the way of cooks.
DeleteI am not familiar with her, but I LOVE the cover of that book and will just have to check it out now. darn! lol
ReplyDeleteIt is a cute cover - something I came across entirely by accident.
DeleteThat would be a good read, something from a person who lived during the depression. Different perspective entirely.
ReplyDeleteIt is mostly recipes introduced with stories and memories - but I think you can learn a lot through food and the memories associated with that food.
DeleteGood to meet you Heather! Love your blog.
ReplyDeleteThanks! Nice to meet you too! Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteWhat an interesting story! I should really work on getting some recipes out of my grandmother the next time I visit - she too lived through The Great Depression and I'm sure she has some memories to share!
ReplyDeleteI hope you do have that opportunity. Neither of my grandmothers did much cooking. I remember one making chocolate chip cookies and the other made applesauce, apple pie, and stuffing for Thanksgiving - that's about it.
DeleteThis sounds so great. What a wonderful tradition/memory they captured by doing this. I am going to check out the videos and subscribe on YouTube. I may even get the book eventually. Thanks for sharing, Heather!
ReplyDeleteYay! Glad you love it Michelle! And thanks for the Facebook share.
DeleteI read Kate Kerrigan's City of Hope and loved it even more than Ellis Island. I've never hear of Clara, this sounds so interesting.
ReplyDeleteI have City of Hope up to read next week. It is so weird how you come across things sometimes!
DeleteThe videos and book are new to me -- thanks! Looks like fun!
ReplyDeleteJoy's Book Blog
I'm interested in checking out a few of the recipes myself.
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