Vintage Menus

I put my MIL on a task today of looking through my 1940s/50s Woman's Day magazines to choose five recipes for dinner. I did this because she was so thrilled when I brought out the magazines for her to peruse the other night and her first comments were about the meals!

Her recipe choices were:

• Jellied Chicken Salad
• Meatless Corn Fritter Sandwiches
• Baked Stuffed Vegetables
• Macaroni Salad and Chili Deviled Eggs
• 2-Layer Flaked Fish Casserole

and

• Liver Loaf Durkee

I'm game to try the others, but I'm not touching the Liver Loaf Durkee with a 10-foot pole! She did comment that she might be the only one eating that one. (Which is why there are actually SIX choices. She knew there would be an issue.)

She really enjoyed making the choices and I know we'll enjoy preparing the meals together next week. Having been born in 1938, these types of recipes were certainly familiar.

I decided to post the 2-Layer Flaked Fish Casserole. If you really, really want me to, I'll post the Liver Loaf Durkee, too. All you have to do is ask.

2-Layer Flaked Fish Casserole (Woman's Day, April 1943, p. 47--serves 4)

• 2 cups cooked fish, flaked
• 1 cup mashed potatoes
• 2 eggs, grade B
• 3 cups milk
• 2 T butter, melted
• Salt and pepper
• 1/4 cup toasted fine bread crumbs
• 1/4 cup grated cheese
• Paprika

Combine fish, potatoes, 1 egg, 2 1/2 cups milk and butter. Add salt and pepper to taste and pour into a greased 1 1/2 quart casserole. Beat other egg until light, add remaining half cup milk and crumbs. Pour over fish mixture; sprinkle with grated cheese. Bake in moderate oven, 350 degrees, for about 1/2 hour or until set. Sprinkle with paprika before servings.