Vintage cooking in the modern world

I love to cook. It's a good thing because I have a few food allergies that make going out to eat a nightmare. While I am not a vegetarian technically, I don't eat much dairy (lactose intolerant) and the only meat I eat is fish. My husband on the other hand is a BBQ loving meat and potato kind of guy. We both try to eat healthy with as much focus on local fresh and organic produce as possible. (As I mentioned in the last post, I grow as many of my own veggies in the backyard as I can but I'll post more about that later.)

 Since diving into vintage living full force a few years ago I started to collect vintage cookbooks and vintage kitchen stuff. Compared to so many vintage gals out there my collection tiny, but hey, I'm only getting warmed up! My first big purchase was a late 40s/early 50's Sunbeam model 9 mixer. It's the same one my Gran has and hers is still going strong!

Here is a picture of mine sitting happily next to my Kromex canisters. (Sorry about the grubby counter. They are the original yellow tile counter tops from 1952 which are really in need of new grout.) I used it just last Friday to make a chocolate cake. The recipe I used was right out of the manual/booklet that came with the mixer. My husband says it is the best chocolate cake he has ever had. Hurray for vintage cooking!

 

 Last week I won this 1946 Better Homes and Gardens cookbook on Ebay. Oh yes, I know about some of the horrors of vintage recipes. (Creamed tuna and celery in jello anyone?)  I will have to make LOTS of substitutions to make the recipes healthier, but I am excited to try out my new book.

 I don't know what she has going on there but the food on the table looks good to me and I sure love the dress she is wearing!

 I have vintage kinck nacks, salt and pepper shakers, tikis and aprons galore. The next thing on my list is vintage dishes. I've been looking on Ebay and Etsy and hoo boy, there is just TOO MUCH to pick from. I'm not really an 'atomic' kinda girl so the oh so popular Franciscan Starburst collection is out of the question. I really want something that will go with my tiki theme kitchen. Or perhaps just something simple and plain? My kitchen is yellow and brown with red accents. Hours and hours of looking on line and I still have not found 'the one' that will go with my color scheme. I guess I will know it when I see it and I won't find it til I stop looking for it. Isn't that the way it usually is?