We have been having uncharacteristically cold and snowy weather here. I found this casserole recipe in an article titled “Ten Cold Weather Dinners That Cost From 51 cents to $1.26 to Serve a Family of Four” in the January 1941 issue of Woman’s Day. It seemed like a good choice for today.
The article suggests that the casserole is the right size for four hungry people, but says that if there were any sweet potatoes left they could be fried and served with bacon for a warm lunch the next day. There are baked apples and oatmeal cookies included in the menu, and the article also mentions that if you make enough apples and cookies, those, too, can be added to tomorrow’s lunch. The meal cost $1.22 for four, and the casserole itself cost 53 cents for four servings.
Ham and Sweet Potato Casserole
- 1 slice of ham, about 1 1/4 lb
- 6 boiled sweet potatoes, sliced
- 1/2 c brown sugar
- 2 tbsp butter
- Juice of 1 orange
Cut ham in long strips about 1/2 in wide. Brown in skillet. Place alternate layers of ham and potatoes in greased baking dish, sprinkling potatoes with brown sugar. Dot with butter. Pour orange juice over all. Bake in slow oven, 300°F, for 35 to 40 minutes. Serves 4.
Results
I really liked this casserole. I think you definitely would need to serve it with the other things on this menu because, by itself, this isn’t enough for a meal. My husband thought it was too plain, but I thought the sweetness of the sweet potatoes worked well with the ham and it didn’t really need anything else. The textures and colors worked nicely together, too.
I’ve included the photograph from the magazine. I think it looks pretty close to what we ended up with. Look at those plates it’s being served on. I’d love to see those in real life! Do you recognize the pattern?
History in the Kitchen 