Stuffed Eggs

It was a pleasantly cooler morning.. so after hanging the laundry on the line.. I took my cuppa outside and sat with the chickens for a short while.

Making sure Prince was locked out of the back garden.. I let the Ladies out of the coop for a bit and let them peck at some fresh grass for a change.They are not fans of this very hot weather either.. but its hasn't affected their egg production at all... giving us plenty of eggs for tonight's dinner.

Housework was completed in a timely fashion... including giving the bedrooms a good clean.. which meant I could spend the afternoon on my knitting.. Im determined to finish the little matinee set I'm making for our grandbaby due in December.

This evening.. MrD and I settled down and listened to a new radio show "Eyes Aloft" dedicated to the volunteers of the Aircraft Warning Service, which consisted of civilians who volunteered their time to look for enemy aircraft along the Pacific Coast. 

Photo: Signing up at the

Newport Beach Aircraft Warning Volunteer Center c.1942

After the attack on Pearl Harbor, 150,000 citizens volunteered to look for enemy aircraft headed for the mainland. Many of the volunteers were women and retired persons who lived along the Pacific Coast. The broadcast commended Aircraft Warning Service volunteers and dramatized their true stories of service, patriotism, and courage. 

So for dinner.. we had a lovely meal of leftover cold chicken, salad from the garden, and courtesy of our ladies, Stuffed Eggs. The recipe is from the Better Homes and Gardens Magazine, July 1941, and are a spin on Devilled Eggs, which are made the same way, but with different additives.

Although they were flavourful and we enjoyed them.. both MrD and I agreed we prefer the original Devilled Eggs taste

6 hard cooked eggs

2 tablespoons mayonnaise

1 tablespoon vinegar

1½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon pepper
1½ teaspoons prepared mustard
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

Original Magazine Cutting

• Cut eggs lengthwise
• Remove yolks and mash.
• Add mayonnaise, vinegar, and seasonings
• Beat until smooth and fluffy. 
• Fill whites with teaspoon or put through a pastry tube. 
• I like to garnish with a littke paprika

Better Homes and Gardens agazine
July 1941

 

Broiled Ham Sandwiches

Another busy Saturday at our Little Blue House. After a breakfast of vegetable omelettes.. courtesy of our ladies and the Victory Garden.. MrD started a new house project.. replacing the floorboards in our hallway. 

He made a good start.. but will have to finish it next weekend. As with many jobs that we try to do in this old house... we always manage to open a can of worms!!

As for me I thought MrD needed a bit of a treat.. so I made one of his favourites 

Fanny Farmers Banana Bread.. 

with a few chocolate chips sprinkled on top

For lunch I tried a new recipe from the Better Homes and Gardens Magazine, July 1940.. and it used a 1940s staple.. Spam!

Broiled Ham Sandwiches  were supposed to be an open faced and you toast the topping and put on bread. But I had some National Loaf that was a little stale as its coming to the end of the week. So, I ended up making a glorified cheese on toast. I halved the recipe as it was only the two of us.. and the leftover Spam will be used in breakfasts and in sandwiches this week

Original Magazine Illustration

To be honest.. it was really flavourful.. and added to a little fresh salad from the garden.. made a lovely filling lunch. I will be making it again

¼ cup chopped cucumber pickle 

1 cup grated American cheese (or any melting cheese)

3 tablespoons mayonnaise. 

12 ounce can pork-ham luncheon meat 

• Toast bread slices and spread with butter
• Combine grated cheese, mayonnaise and chopped pickle 
• Cut Spam Luncheon Meat ¼ inch thick slices
• Place a slice on each piece of toast
• Spread with cheese mixture. 
• Broil until cheese puffs. 
• Serve hot. 
• Makes 8 open sandwiches

Better Homes and Gardens Magazine 
July 1940

Pork on Skewers

As soon as MrD left for work this morning, I jumped straight in the shower,  got myself ready for the day and got my morning started bright and early. I was on a race to beat the heat. The first thing I did was make the dough for this weeks baking of bread. 

I wanted them out of the oven by 10.30 am.... and I succeeded.. if a few minutes late!

The only good thing about 105° weather.. is that it dries the laundry incredibly fast. This heat reminds me that deep down I am still a Country girl from Wales... and Im still not used to Southern California temperatures

Today was also our grandsons eighth birthday. Where have the years gone. He's such a kind, loving boy... but with a wicked sense of humour..just like his daddy had at the same age. He loves his cat Meow Meows with all his heart even though they fight like crazy. He's going to be an excellent big brother when the new baby arrives at Christmas

Dinner tonight was Pork Skewers from the Better Homes and Gardens Magazine, March 1942. They were really nice.. very easy to make, cooked \ to perfection and with a lovely earthy flavour from the spices. 

Original Magazine Illustration

I made no changes to the recipe... and served them on a bed of Vegetable Fried Rice. MrD thoroughly enjoyed them.. even though he couldn't quite describe the flavour!

2 pounds pork shoulder, cut in 1 1/4-inch cubes

2 tablespoons ground coriander

1 tablespoon salt

1 teaspoon pepper

1 cup minced onion

2 cloves garlic, minced

3 tablespoons lemon juice

2 tablespoons brown sugar

1/4 cup soy sauce

1/4 teaspoon cayenne

Original Magazine Clipping

• Make a paste of coriander, salt, pepper, onion, and garlic. 
• Add lemon juice, sugar, soya sauce, and cayenne; blend well. 
• Rub spice mixture over meat; let stand 1 hour. 
• Place four cubes on each skewer. 
• Bake in moderate oven (350°) 30 to 40 minutes. 
• Stick radishes on skewer ends (optional)

Better Homes and Gardens Magazine 
March 1942

Denver Sandwiches

My goodness it was hot today... there seemed to be no air in church this morning

MrD and I forwent our stroll home and travelled in the car.. We have done well recently saving our gas, Im sure just one day wont harm...will it? We were home pretty quick and spent the rest of the day just relaxing by the radio... knitting for me and reading for MrD... with the same meal for lunch and dinner.,, cold cuts, cheese, crusty bread and lovely salad from our garden. I guess summer has finally arrived in Southern California

 Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS) Moonlight Serenade 

Featuring Skip Nelson; Tex Beneke; Harry Bruff (Announcer); 

The Modernaires; Glenn Miller and His Orchestra

July 26, 1942

So...Sunday breakfast was from The Modern Family Cookbook by Meta Givens, 1942. These  Denver Sandwiches were so easy to make.. eggs, onions and green pepper, everything fresh from our Victory Garden. 

The egg mix was firm and sliceable.. and reminded me of a fritata. I made them as directed.. but would be lovely with added mushrooms or tomatoes... a bit of ham and a sprinkle of cheese. The variations are endless.

Oh and I sliced it into four instead of five... it filled us more..

5 eggs
2 Tbsp chopped onion
1/3 cup chopped green pepper
salt and pepper to taste
10 slices buttered bread or toast 

• Beat eggs and mix with onion and pepper. 
• Butter a 9 or 10 inch skillet and cook eggs over low heat until firm.
• Sprinkle with salt and pepper and cut into 5 pieces. 
• Put pieces between bread or toast. 
• Makes 5 servings.

The Modern Family Cookbook
by Meta Givens 1942