Sunday, May 11, 2008

A Model Kitchen


"A GENERAL ELECTRIC KITCHEN OF MAGIC. Incomparable efficiency, luxurious convenience and new economy. Where human hands "direct" and magic G-E servants "do." A complete General Electric Kitchen is an economical investment that adds a much greater actual cash value to your house than the price you pay." (The New Art of Modern Cookery, 1936).


Who wouldn't want to cook in a kitchen like this?

This is another little cookbook with mouth-watering illustrations, but the recipes are pretty standard 1930's domestic-science, woman's-magazine fare. These cookies look pretty good, though.

GINGER COOKIES

1 c. brown sugar
1 c. molasses
1 c. shortening
1 T. ginger
1/2 t. salt
1 t. soda
2 t. baking powder
1/4 c. water
2 eggs
4 to 5 cups flower (do not make too stiff)

1. Mix the first three ingredients and bring to the boiling point. Add the soda and ginger. Stir until dissolved. Cool. 2. When cool add the eggs. Beat well. Then add the sifted dry ingredients alternately with water. 3. Chill or store in refrigerator. 4. Roll 1/3 inch thick. Cut and arrange on cookie sheet.

Temperature 400 degrees Time 10-12 minutes Yield 3 dozen

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

The sad part, is I HAVE a kitchen that looks almost like that, from the house that's been unchanged since 1920. Needs more counter space, no dishwasher besides me, and people tell me this is one reason why I'll never be able to sell the house for more than I paid for it.

I don't agree, as I inherited the house from my Grandmother, and she paid 29K for it. It's worth more now. I LOVE the old kitchen. I can turn out good bread with the best of them (on the gas stove from 1930. Still cooking away)

Shay said...

I would commit a mortal sin to get my hands on a working 1930's gas stove...you lucky duck.

Lidian said...

William, you really are lucky! I would love an old kitchen like that (am very happy with mine, though, we redid it from its early-1980s horribleness)

What a great booklet!

T-Mom said...

I'd be thrilled to have a kitchen like that. The kitchen in my house appears to have been inserted as an afterthought.