This is a long post, but I wanted to show you this article from the November 1945 issue of Woman’s Day.
This issue’s cover is one of my favorites. A soldier, freshly back from the war, stops at the driveway leading home to savor the sight and reflect on how he has changed since he was last home. His dog runs to greet him. I can’t imagine how difficult it must have been to come home after such an experience.
Thanksgiving 1945 had be a hopeful one, though. There was definitely much to be thankful for. This article is a list of recipes that might have been served on, interestingly, on November 25, 1945. There are two menus—one for a meal with a true turkey, and one with the recipes the magazine had planned on using before the war ended.
I think this article reflected the mood in a time when many families were thankful, yet many mourned losses. It was a bittersweet time, joyful, sad, and probably often confusing. Enjoy the recipes.
Let’s begin with the mock turkey and ration recipes.
Now, back to the turkey.
History in the Kitchen 