The Victory Binding of the American Woman's Cook Book

Here she is... is she not a thing of beauty?

Sure she's a little worn out, but who isn't these days?

I came across this book as a teenager while poking around in the basement. I had just read George Orwell's 1984 and was fascinated to learn that "Victory" was a real wartime ration thing and not just something from the novel.

Later, I developed a fascination with WWII, making this book even more of a curiosity to me. When I became an adult and ventured off to my first apartment, my step-dad was kind enough to send this much beloved cook book with me.

The book served as a great guide-post for the novice in the kitchen. There are sections that explain about measurements, nutrients, table-settings, food pairings, definitions for cooking terms, and even sample party menus.

It's also quite an interesting piece of history. The book begins with a quote from General MacArthur about the importance to the war effort of saving and doing in the home.The first three quarters of the book are loaded with everyday recipes and some bourgeois recipes. Lots of advice for the upper-middle class woman during wartime. (Did you know that it is possible to host a dinner party without the help of a maid?) The back part of the book gives recipes that can be made from wartime rations.

It is really a wonderful book which has been part of my life for quite some time. I am excited to share pieces of the book with all of you and to share the adventure of eating, not only my cooking, but some seriously vintage eats, with my friends and family.