This spring 1942 ad for Ann Page Salad Dressing has a recipe for a strawberry cheese ring salad. I’m trying to bring myself to be brave enough to try it. Ann Page Foods was a brand sold only at A&P Food Stores.
A&P was the largest retail grocery store chain in the United States from 1915 to 1975. The company started in 1859 and the final store closed in November 2015. The history of the company is worth a read if you are interested. An important thing to note is that Woman’s Day, a magazine I use frequently for recipes and information about homemaking in the 1940s, was started at A&P stores in 1931 as a free leaflet that included menus for shoppers.
Ann Page had several different dressings, including a “salad dressing” and a “mayonnaise”. I think it would be fair to assume from the research that I have done, the recipes it is used in, and the way it looks in pictures that the salad dressing would be similar to Miracle Whip in style. I have not, however, been able to find an accurate comparison and I have not seen a good description of how the Ann Page salad dressing tasted other than it was slightly tart. If anyone remembers what this tasted like, I would love to hear about it.
I like that A&P ads often have recipes. Sometimes they look good and other times, I’m not sure my modern tastebuds would enjoy the dishes they suggest. I also like their confidence that this dressing is the best. In fact, if you don’t agree, they’ll pay for the entire salad. I wonder how many salads they ended up paying for.
See that last paragraph telling the reader to send for their recipe booklet? I found one and it is on the way to my house. I can’t wait to see what recipes are inside it.
Scroll down for a closer look at the recipe.
History in the Kitchen 
One thought