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Betty Crocker’s New Boys and Girls Cookbook: A Few Bites of Nostalgia

January 18, 2022

Some friends and I were just talking about this cookbook we all had as kids, and not even a week had passed when my mom (serendipitously) found it. Don’t you love crazy coincidences like that? If we had been looking for it we wouldn’t have found it!

My brother gave the cookbook to me for my birthday, but I’m not sure which birthday. It was published by Golden Press and the copyright was by General Mills, Inc….1965! If he gave it to me that year, I was only five. And evidently I was showing an inordinate amount of interest in cooking. Or, maybe just food.

The back cover copy says: “Here is the cookbook children have loved for years–now bigger and brighter in this new edition! Gay color photos, lively drawings, and how-to-do-it sketches illustrate more than 275 recipes and food ideas–all specially chosen by girls and boys themselves, and tested in their own homes…Betty Crocker makes learning to cook a happy experience for boys and girls…and for their parents.”

 

Fun at Dinnertime

I got a kick out of the section that describes what a nice meal together looks like:

  • Let everyone have a turn at talking. If you must interrupt, say “Excuse me.”
  • Be interested in what other others have to say.
  • Talk about happy subjects.
  • Sometimes play a game like Table Topics. Each member of the family takes a turn choosing the topic; then everyone, in turn, tells all he knows about it. 

The Marvels of Meat Loaf

“Becky,” one of the in-home testers gives meat loaf two thumbs up. “Leftover meat loaf makes the most wonderful sandwiches!” Becky exclaims. But, Becky, did you know how many things you can do with meat loaf??

My favorite suggestion is the Tuckaway Meat Loaf. “When forming loaf, tuck 3 shelled hard-cooked eggs down the middle of meat mixture.” This suggestion could use a little clarifying. The first time I read it I thought you were supposed to put eggs with their shells on in the loaf.

Meat Loaf à la Mode caught my eye, too. What’s this? Meat loaf and ice cream?? That would rank high with my five-year-old taste buds, but it doesn’t sound all that delicious to me now. But, as you’ve already guessed, the à la mode refers to a dollop of mashed potatoes. Doesn’t that look so appetizing? And what about those canned peas as a side?

Alternative Main Dishes

If you’re not that into meat loaf, you have plenty of other choices. A healthy mac and cheese with chunks of hot dogs creating a fun polka dot pattern. Or, a fish option–Tuna Casserole with one cup of crushed potato chips stirred in the cream of mushroom soup. I’m thinking they redeemed it by also dumping in a cup of cooked green peas. Oh, and more chips on top!

Don’t forget the salad!

This Fruit Basket Upset was “a favorite with our test panel,” because who doesn’t need upset fruit with a meal? They suggest serving it either as a salad or “a fluffy pink dessert.” (You might take note of this and serve it around Valentine’s Day. You really can’t beat a fluffy pink salad and/or dessert!)

The cute little pear bunnies actually might make an appearance at a meal where the grands are involved. I mean, check out those cottage cheese tails!

A Finishing Flourish

The desserts truly captivated me as a child. The section on cookies is hanging loose in the book. I guess I used those pages so much, they fell out.

But, the real winner is something I know for a fact I never made: That Circus Parade Cake! What a gloriously decorated birthday cake! And ice cream? We all know it’s even more enticing when it has a face.

The most baffling recipe, though, is called “Cinnamon Crunchies.” This is described as “Sweet and salty-so good for nibbling.” It’s made up of an egg white, sugar, salt, cinnamon (very little–not enough to warrant the name of the recipe!), chopped nuts, and THREE CUPS of Twinkies. I found it interesting that they do not instruct you to tear the Twinkies into pieces. Do you think you put whole Twinkies into a measuring cup and mash until you’ve hit the three-cup mark?

Non-Sexist Fare

I love how the cookbook includes boys. If I recall that era correctly, women did most, if not all, the cooking. Betty was ahead of the curve by marketing to both boys and girls. Go Betty! By the way, if you suddenly have a hankerin’ to know more about Betty Crocker herself, check out this link.

And, if you find that after reading this you simply must have your own Boys and Girls Cookbook, Target offers an authentic reproduction of the original 1957 edition!  here. Or you can find it on Amazon here. You can find used versions of the one I have on eBay.

Did any of you have one of these beloved children’s cookbooks? Do you remember when you first started cooking? Tell us about it in the comments!

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