1940s Food & Recipes

Comfort Foods

100

What dish was a popular, budget-friendly dinner during the 1940s? 

- Chipped beef on toast

- Spaghetti with meat sauce

- Beef Wellington

- Chipped beef on toast

200

What soup stretched to feed large families during wartime? 

- Chicken noodle

- Tomato soup with water

- Clam Chowder

- Tomato soup with water

300

What casserole became popular for stretching ingredients? 

- Egg casserole

- Tuna casserole

- Tater tot casserole

- Tuna casserole

400

What simple sandwich was commonly packed for lunches?

- BLTs

- PB & banana

- Turkey and Mustard

- PB & banana

500

What type of soup was a common starter for dinners? 

- Clam chowder

- Cream of mushroom

- Chicken noodle

- Cream of mushroom

Garden Goodies

100

Which fruit was commonly canned at home? 

- Pineapples

- Peaches

- Blueberries

- Peaches

200

Many families grew this fruit to make jam and preserves: 

- Bananas

- Grapes

- Kiwis

- Grapes

300

What vegetable was often mashed and added to baked goods? 

- Potatoes

- Onions

- Broccoli 

- Potatoes

The vegetable most commonly mashed and added to baked goods (as a flour substitute in pastries or as an ingredient in cakes/scones) in the 1940s was the potato. 

This practice was widespread, particularly in Britain during World War II, due to strict rationing of imported wheat flour and the government's promotion of homegrown produce like potatoes for their energy and vitamin content. 

400

What vegetable was often planted because it stored well through the winter? 

- Carrots

- Cucumbers

- Lettuce

- Carrots

Root vegetables like potatoes, carrots, parsnips, and turnips were often planted in the 1940s because they stored well through the winter in root cellars or were easily canned. Other long-storing vegetables included onions and cabbage.

500

Which vegetable was frequently canned or pickled at home? 

- Eggplant

- Mushrooms

- Green beans

- Green beans

During the 1940s, a wide variety of vegetables were canned or pickled at home, but tomatoes and green beans (string beans) were among the most frequently preserved. Home canning was a vital activity, especially during World War II, when Americans were encouraged to grow "Victory Gardens" to free up commercially canned goods for the military. An estimated 40% of the vegetables consumed in the U.S. during the war years were grown in these home gardens and preserved by families. 

Sweets & Treats

100

What dessert was often made with leftover bread, milk, and spices? 

- cheesecake

- bread pudding

- snickerdoodles

- bread pudding

200

What was often used instead of frosting? 

- whipped butter

- powdered sugar glaze

- marshmallow fluff

- powdered sugar glaze

300

“War Cake” often used what ingredient to replace eggs? 

- applesauce

- mashed potatoes

- vinegar & baking soda

- vinegar & baking soda

400

What type of cookie was popular because it didn’t require butter? 

- snickerdoodles

- molasses

- white chocolate chip

- molasses

500

Which candy was commonly homemade during the 1940s? 

- peanut butter brittle

- cotton candy

- gummy bears

- peanut butter brittle

Make It Stretch Meals

100

What pantry item helped thicken sauces? 

- olive oil

- flour

- water

- flour

200

A common way to stretch meat was to add… 

- butter

- onions

- breadcrumbs

- breadcrumbs

300

What inexpensive grain was frequently used to bulk up meals? 

- rice

- corn

- barley

- rice

400

Casseroles often combined leftovers with… 

- breadcrumbs

- canned soup

- flour

- canned soup

500

What type of casserole became popular because it used pantry items and leftovers? 

- beef casserole

- "everything but the kitchen sink" casserole

- tater tot casserole

- "everything but the kitchen sink" casserole

"Everything but the kitchen sink casserole" refers to a dish made with a large, varied assortment of ingredients, as a literal interpretation of the idiom "everything but the kitchen sink". This means the recipe uses whatever ingredients are available, such as leftover meats, vegetables, and cheeses, to create a hodgepodge.

Dinner Table Memories

100

What mealtime practice was common? 

- eating in your room

- eating in front of the tv 

- eating together at the table

- eating together at the table

200

What topping often went on baked ham for special occasions? 

- Orange slices

- Pineapple slices

- Apple slices

- Pineapple slices

300

What common dinner table item doubled as a centerpiece? 

- A cookie jar

- A fruit bowl

- A radio

- A fruit bowl

400

What type of milk was most commonly delivered to homes? 

- glass bottled milk

- powdered milk

- evaporated milk

- glass bottled milk

500

What salad “dressing” was popular in the 1940s? 

- Ranch

- Miracle whip

- A Thousand Island

- Miracle whip

The most popular "dressings" in the 1940s generally fell into a few categories, with French dressing and mayonnaise-based options like Miracle Whip being widespread.