I suppose we had typical meals at home for the mid-twentieth century. The menu didn’t change much week to week, but it was always good, especially the gravy. Some classic meals include:
- Center cut pork chops with bone, applesauce was always served with it
- Hamburger patties, ketchup on the side
- Ham slice, with pineapple rings occasionally
- Meat loaf
- Chicken breasts on the bone
These entrees were almost always served with mashed potatoes, gravy and frozen vegetables. The reason the gravy was so important is the meat was always well done so the flavor was in the gravy. In the 1950s and 1960s, we didn’t eat much canned or fresh vegetables.
On Fridays, we always had a meatless meal. Some regulars included:
- Spaghetti made with Campbell’s tomato soup and Velveeta cheese
- Tuna-noodle casserole with peas and cream of mushroom soup
- Fish sticks
- Salmon patties
On the weekends, when there was more time to cook, we would sometimes have:
- Ground beef, tomato sauce, and noodle casserole – with the ubiquitous Velveeta cheese
- Boiled smoked butt with sauerkraut or cabbage and boiled potatoes
- An occasional roast beef
Except for company, I don’t remember ever having a salad before a meal, but we ALWAYS had some sort of dessert. Helen wasn’t a baker, so it was mostly store bought cookies and cakes, not many pies. Favorites were:
- Chocolate chip cookies
- Sara Lee banana cake with cream cheese frosting
- Chocolate pudding, often with nuts
- Ice cream on occasion
All of the above, except for fish sticks and salmon patties, are still favorites!