Quick Dishes for the Woman in a Hurry

It's been awhile since I've shared vintage recipes here. My schedule has been a little crazy. Good thing I found my copy of Quick Dishes for the Woman in a Hurry, brought to us by the home economists at the Culinary Arts Institute (not dated, but we can safely assume 1950s), purchased originally for 39 cents at Shop Rite. Here are a few recipes to peruse if you're also in a hurry. The omlet with orange juice is particularly intriguing - let me know if you try that one!

Bon appetit!

Easy Party Fare from 1953

Summer means entertaining! Looking for a little vintage flair for a shindig? 1953's Today's Woman Cook Book has got you covered! Here are a bunch of easy appetizer ideas and inexpensive wine coolers with 1950s credibility. And there's even a bonus: a rum ball recipe that was stuck into the book, written on the back of a machine-readable computer card. It's positively "Desk Set!" I can just imagine the original owner of this book jotting down this recipe at work, standing beside her huge computer.

St. Patrick's Day Eats, 1954-Style

If you have plans for St. Patrick's Day there just might be a bar or pub involved. Don't forget to eat! Here are a few ideas for unexpected St. Patrick's Day nibbles from The Holiday Cookbook, published by the Culinary Arts Institute. They won't see these dishes coming!

These sandwiches "spell real eating enjoyment." It must be the MSG!

It's a 1950s salad, so naturally gelatin is involved. 

It's called Dublin Pineapple Salad, so it must be legit! Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Tips For The Harried Hostess (or Host)

Have you thought of throwing a cocktail party, but then said "Eh, too much work," and canned the idea? Well, the time to entertain has come! Find a copy of Good Housekeeping's Appetizer Book (1958, The Hearst Corporation and, yes, those are appetizers sticking out of a candle on the cover), because it has ideas so easy you never even need to turn on a burner, much less the oven!

No serving platter? No problem! Stick your appetizers in a lit candle! It's food AND mood lighting!

(Practically) everyone loves a seafood cocktail! Go bohemian and serve it in the living room! These sauces are all pretty darned quick and easy, but for the truly time pressed, see the final suggestion.

Here's another eccentric serving suggestion for your seafood cocktail - spear shrimp and arrange whimsically around a basket!

For the seafood-abstainers on your guest list, here's an intriguing appetizer from the "slimming" section of the book. I'd never equated canned meat with dieting before.

If you've ever thought you were too much of a kitchen klutz to create adorable raw veggies, Susan is here to show you differently. Don't forget the perky watercress!

Perfect for spearing and sticking into a candle!

With tips like these I'm sure you'll see just how easy it can be to throw a party guests will discuss for weeks! Batch up the martinis ahead of time by the pitcherful and they may even eat!

IT CAME FROM BENEATH THE BAR!

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IT CAME FROM BENEATH THE BAR!